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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 11, 2007

La Pietra beats HBA to earn state tourney berth

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

La Pietra post players Megan Giles and Sarah Peoples lived up to their tall nickname against Hawai'i Baptist last night.

Giles and Peoples combined for 18 points and 12 blocks as the Lady Panthers overwhelmed the Eagles, 47-28, to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II girls basketball tournament at McCabe Gym.

"Me and Sarah work really well together," the 5-foot-11 senior Giles said about her 6-2 junior teammate. "They call us the 'Twin Towers.' "

With the victory, La Pietra qualified for next week's Division II state tournament.

"We made it last year for the first time," La Pietra coach Anthony Czaja said. "To get there two years in a row is just amazing. We have nine seniors ... and to be able to extend the season is huge for us."

Giles and Peoples drew defenders inside and opened the perimeter for Chelsea Kiyabu, who sank two 3-pointers and scored nine points. Giles and Peoples each scored nine points, and Giles added seven blocks. Ashanti Shih also scored nine for La Pietra.

After taking an early 5-2 lead, HBA went cold against the taller Lady Panthers. HBA had no player taller than 5-8 Leah Shizuru.

La Pietra broke open the game with a 19-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to take a 21-5 lead with 2:55 before intermission. Giles scored seven points and Kiyabu five during the surge.

"It's hard to make up for that lack of height," Hawai'i Baptist coach Reid Takatsuka said. "But all things given, I'm proud of our team."

Shizuru's free throw cut Hawai'i Baptist's deficit to 30-18 in the third quarter, but La Pietra responded with a 12-4 run to lead 42-22 with 3:17 left in the game.

Adrienne Kishimoto led Hawai'i Baptist with nine points.

LA PIETRA (12-5) 9 17 8 13 — 47

HAWAI'I BAPTIST (8-8) 5 4 11 8 — 28

LA PIETRA — Christen Hirai 0, Alex Lake 0, Charity Caracol 0, Chelsea Kiyabu 9, Leah Kaina 6, Tihon Nguyen 0, Megan Giles 9, Stacey Martin 0, Sarah Peoples 9, Ashanti Shih 9, Jasmine Kimura 5. Totals 16 13-25 47.

HAWAI'I BAPTIST — Jennifer Young 0, Adrienne Kishimoto 9, Jamie Iha 2, Sharon Kim 0, Ashley Salado 4, Keline Yoshimura 5, Carissa Onuma 4, Stefanie Sueda 0, Kaitlin Miyashiro 1, Leah Shizuru 3. Totals 8 9-22 28. 3-point goals: La Pietra 2 (Kiyabu 2). Hawai'i Baptist 3 (Kishimoto 2, Yoshimura).

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.