honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, January 10, 2009

Roosevelt tough in transition

Photo gallery: Prep soccer, basketball

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Roosevelt's Nicole Ramirez, center, attempts a shot against the defense of Moanalua's Joanna Nicolas, left, and Jaidon Rego.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer

Even with a new coach and new backcourt, Roosevelt is still getting the same winning results in O'ahu Interscholastic Association girls basketball so far.

The visiting Rough Riders held off Moanalua, 45-37, last night to improve to 3-0 in the OIA's Red Conference Eastern Division.

It is Roosevelt's first season under Clint Chikamori, who succeeds longtime coach Bobby Keanini, who guided the Rough Riders to OIA championships in 2006 and 2007. Roosevelt also graduated four-year starting point guard Dianna Zane and two other veteran guards in Tiana Sugui and Tiyana Nakasone.

"It's a lot different," said senior forward Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole, who poured in a game-high 24 points last night. "But as a player and as one of the captains, I've learned to adjust and I'm liking it."

The Rough Riders enjoyed a lead from the beginning, jumping out to a 12-2 lead and going up, 14-7, by the end of the first period. Na Menehune (1-2) cut it to 24-19 by halftime and 28-24 midway through the third quarter, after a 3-pointer by Hoku Dela Cruz.

But Kamakawiwo'ole, a 5-foot-9 1/2 post, answered with a traditional three-point play to push the lead to 31-24 and then added a bank shot to help Roosevelt stretch the lead to 35-26 entering the fourth. The Rough Riders struggled from the line in the final period, allowing Moanalua to stay close and cut it to 39-35 with 1:55 remaining after two free throws by Dela Cruz.

But Kamawiwo'ole again answered with another short banker and she, Abcde Furuta-Harada and Joshy Noga each added a free throw in the final 48 seconds to seal the victory.

"Not having to guard Dianna is a big weight off our shoulders, but they've still got Tasia, Mikela (Thoemmes) and Joshy (Noga), and they do a lot of work in the paint," Na Menehune coach Kristie Morikawa said. "They're gonna be tough this season."

Chikamori, who was Roosevelt's varsity boys coach last season, said the Rough Riders are still adjusting to the transition, especially in the backcourt.

"In the beginning, it was a big feeling-out process as far as personnel and positions," Chikamori said. "As far as the guards, none of them had a lot of varsity minutes last year because all the guards who were on the floor last year are gone. But we're hanging in there ... so far, so good."

Dela Cruz and Joanna Nicolas led Moanalua with 12 points.

ROOSEVELT (3-0) 14 10 11 10 — 45

MOANALUA (1-2) 7 12 7 11 — 37

ROOSEVELT-Kelcie Namba 0, Samantha Murakami 2, Kathleen Nakata 3, Abcde Furuta-Harada 1, Nicole Ramirez 2, Mikela Thoemmes 8, Joshy Noga 8, Cierra Kapea 0, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 24. Totals 19 6-16 45.

MOANALUA — Brittney Calucag 0, Briana Dacoscos 0, Kiley Lau 2, Joanna Nicolas 12, Michelle Hardy 0, Melanie Smith 0, Jaiden Rego 5, Hoku Dela Cruz 12, A.J. Verdida 6, Justine Aguas 0. Totals 15 5-10 37. 3-point goals: Roosevelt 1 (Nakata). Moanalua 2 (Dela Cruz 2).

JV — Moanalua 34, Roosevelt 26

MCKINLEY 57, CASTLE 49

Tatiana Dinson scored 19 points, Brenda Walker had 16 and the host Tigers broke from a 40-all tie after three quarters to turn back the Knights to improve to 4-0 in the OIA Red East.

CASTLE (0-4) 8 16 16 9 — 49

MCKINLEY (4-0) 16 12 12 17 — 57

CASTLE — Brande Sasaki 6, Cailee Awa 10, Britt Hawn 2, Britt Lane 0, Leisha Li'ili'i 11, Kaity Wills 6, Macee Moe 6, Ashley Ballestenos 1, Joshell Lilio 5, Kree Espinda 2. Totals 15 19-28 49.

MCKINLEY — Kylie Sato 3, Ashley Gravley 9, Tatiana Dinson 19, Brenda Walker 16, Hannah Yoo 0, Jorena Faletoi 2, Jackie Tihano 8. Totals 19 16-34 57.

3-point goals: Castle none. McKinley 3 (Tehano 2, Gravley).

JV — Castle 27, McKinley 26

Reported by Nina Thang

FARRINGTON 66, KAILUA 39

Kirsten Liana scored 15 points, Lusina Otineru added 11 and the visiting Governors used an 18-7 second quarter for a 34-18 lead a intermission in rolling past the Surfriders to improve to 3-0 in the OIA Red East.

FARRINGTON (3-0) 16 18 18 14 — 66

KAILUA (0-4) 11 7 10 11 — 39

FARRINGTON — Kahea Ho'oahuli 0, Jasmine Funtanilla 0, Angie Argel 0, Natalie Mata 4, Lucky Crichton 0, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 6, Precious Maave 2, Janell Nance 7, Macilee Moi 9, Kirsten Liana 15, Valerie Lesu 4, Sofia Folaumahina 6, Aisha Gaea 2, Lusina Otineru 11. Totals 29 8-12 66.

KAILUA — Jayna Hanawahine 1, Tawny Kiko 0, Sola Williams 6, Teuila Afele 2, Zsalei Kamaka 11, Ka'u Kohatsu 0, Alysha Franco 0, Anu Ah Yun 5, Ashley Jacobs 14. Totals 12 13-28 39.

3-point goals: Farrington (none). Kailua 2 (Jacobs 2).

JV — Farrington 57, Kailua 28

Reported by Zachary Stephens

OIA GIRLS RED WEST

'AIEA (4-0) 15 6 14 11 6 — 52

MILILANI (1-2) 17 13 7 9 3 — 49

MILILANI — Chelsea Basilio 16, Glenelle Nitta 3, Jordan Sakai 5, Darcey Goulsby 11, Sophie Chang 4, Pomai Grube-Hose 1, Amber Ogata 3, Kellise Dela Cruz 0, Sam Yuki 2, Abby McKoy 0, Kyla Alcantra 4. Totals 16 13-22 49.

3-point goals: 'Aiea 2 (Fong, Tagudin). Mililani 4 (Basilio 2, Nitta, Ogata).

JV — Mililani 38, 'Aiea 29

Reported by Noel Nakasone

KAPOLEI 40, CAMPBELL 32

Danniel Tapat scored 12 points and the visiting Hurricanes outscored the Sabers 18-11 in the fourth quarter to pull away and remain unbeaten in the OIA Red West at 3-0.

KAPOLEI (3-0) 3 8 11 18 — 40

CAMPBELL (1-2) 4 9 8 11 — 32

KAPOLEI — Krystal Jacobs 4, Danniel Tapat 12, Victoria Asoa 0, Rhilee Soriano 4, Alysse Bishop 2, Kawehi Hagi 9, Chereece Beyer 5, Kayla Fuataca 4, Nicole Fuataca 0. Totals 13 12-20 40.

CAMPBELL — Ama Lui 4, Jaysha Delizo 2, Karen Tano 0, Jazmin Brown 4, Chantaty Samante 6, Stormi Wright 0, Ariel Medlin 0, Oli Kila 16. Totals 11 10-14 32.

3-point goals: Kapolei 2 (Tapat 2). Campbell (none).

JV — Kapolei 49, Campbell 43

Reported by Jodi Bantolina

RADFORD 59, WAI'ANAE 36

Bui Baravilala had 14 points, Antionette Carradine 13 and the visiting Rams, leading 24-20 at intermission, broke away with a 16-6 third quarter to beat the Seariders for their first victory after three losses.

RADFORD (1-3) 10 14 16 19 — 59

WAI'ANAE (0-4) 8 12 6 10 — 36

WAI'ANAE — Alisa Tupuola 0, Alesa Ramaila 3, Emma Atiga 0, Beverly Madrid 7, Evalani Yoshimura 2, Geneviene Cuesta 13, Shantel Buckner 8, Maili Enos-Branigan 3, Emma Tanoi 0. Totals 15 3-10 36.

3-point goals: Radford 1 (D. Brown). Wai'anae 3 (Cuesta 2, Madrid).

JV — Radford 39, Wai'anae 28

Reported by Kevin Nakamoto

OIA GIRLS WHITE

'ΔNUENUE (0-4) 5 0 5 3 — 13

KAIMUKI (4-0) 21 12 6 7 — 46

'ANUENUE — Nanea Kon 0, Kenui Wahilani 1, Leikula Gottlieb 0, Nalani Kamano 1, Ku'ulei Gante 0, Kahanu Walker 7, Kapela Kahili 2, Ho'onani Wahilani 2, Kahala Ka'owili 0. Totals 4 4-8 13.

KAIMUKI — Olivia Phommachanh 5, Pua Akaka 5, Sasha Tokuda 2, Brooke Borce 3, Tanya Villanueva 9, Dinishah Fa'asoa 2, Justell Authur 5, Brittney Anglin 4, Letisha Fa'asoa 3, Dejah Fa'asoa 4, Mikki Morihara 2, Ashley Fortson 2. Totals 18 6-11 46. 3-point goals: 'Anuenue 1 (Walker). Kaimuki 4 (Phommachanh, Akaka, Villanueva, L. Fa'asoa).

Reported by Dejah Fa'asoa

KAISER 55, NANAKULI 29

Chelsy Okuma poured in 26 points, Keely Bitanga added 16 and the host Cougars broke the game open with 19 points in both the second and third quarters to rout the Golden Hawks to improve to 2-0 in the OIA White Division.

NANAKULI (1-3) 7 11 8 3 — 29

KAISER (2-0) 8 19 19 9 — 55

KAISER — Alaiza Del Andre 0, Haley Durham 7, Lijah Bowerman 0, Chelsy Okuma 26, Keely Bitanga 16, Kaitlyn Nakano 0, Daryn Vorderbruegge 3, Bailey Miller 0, Shelby Pa 3. Totals 19 10-25 55.

3-point goals: Nanakuli (none). Kaiser 7 (Okuma 3, Bitanga 3, Vorderbruegge).

JV — Kaiser 47, Nanakuli 21

Reported by Ramona Takahashi

Read Wes Nakama's blog on high school sports at preptalk.honadvblogs.com.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.