Jennifer Ching scored on a putback with two seconds remaining last night to lift visiting Punahou to a pulsating 41-39 victory over Mid-Pacific in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball opener for both teams.

MPI's Johnelle Kapua tied the game by sinking two free throws with 1:30 remaining, and the Buffanblu elected to milk the clock on their final possession. With the Owls playing a 1-3-1 zone, Punahou point guard Janelle Nomura drove down the left side of the lane with under 10 seconds left, then put up a running shot off the glass from about 10 feet.

Ching was able to secure the rebound on the opposite side after a quick bobble under the basket and put up the short banker.

"My whole focus was on getting the ball up, because time was running out and I didn't know how many seconds were left," Ching said.

The ball went through the net with two seconds remaining and the buzzer went off as MPI tried to inbound the ball.

"We gotta finish, we didn't execute, and that was my fault," Owls coach Byron Cheng said. "I changed the defense, and we didn't secure the backside rebound. But give Punahou credit — they crashed the boards and they earned the victory. It wasn't a lucky shot."

The victory certainly was earned, as MPI gave the Buffanblu all they could handle from the outset.

After a defensive first period ended 3-3, the Owls took a 17-15 lead into halftime as Nomura was held without a field goal and Punahou's other senior guard, Becca Lau, was scoreless and saddled with three fouls.

MPI led 25-21 midway through the third quarter before Nomura tied it on a layup and then put the Buffanblu ahead, 30-29, on a three-point play with 33 seconds remaining.

Punahou pushed the lead to 35-29 on Nomura's 3-pointer with 5:11 left in the game, but the Owls clawed back and eventually tied it on Kapua's free throws with 90 seconds remaining.

"If you know Mid-Pac's personnel, you know how good they really are," Buffanblu coach Mike Taylor said. "We're just catching breaks. But I give our girls credit; we didn't have our best game and we were a little too rushed on offense, but girls came in and made great contributions."

Nomura finished with 14 points — all but two coming in the second half. Kapua scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Owls.

PUNAHOU (1-0) 3 12 15 11 — 41

MID-PACIFIC (0-1) 3 14 12 10 — 39

PUNAHOU — Rebecca Lau 4, Julianne Nomura 3, Janet Li 0, Anna Merrifield 3, Mysha Sataraka 6, Janelle Nomura 14, Jennifer Ching 6, Julia Brand 2, Kysa Ludviksen 1, Tressa Torres 2. Totals 14 12-17 41.

MID-PACIFIC — Ashley Yamachika 3, Paige Young 0, Johnelle Kapua 19, Shanon Nishimura 0, Kelli Shibata 3, Jordan Kealoha 2, Taylor Babbitt 0, Keaton McFadden 8, Jenna Savusa 4. Totals 11 16-24 39.

3-point goals: Punahou 1 (Nomura). Mid-Pacific 1 (Shibata).

Reported by Sean Aoyagi

KAMEHAMEHA 28, SACRED HEARTS 25: Makana Borden scored six points and the host Warriors took a 25-22 lead into the fourth quarter and held off the Lancers.

SACRED HEARTS (0-1) 5 8 9 3 — 25

KAMEHAMEHA (1-0) 7 6 12 3 — 28

SACRED HEARTS — Kara Vause 0, Rayna Munos 3, Lynsey Overstreet 0, Kamri Lin 8, Morgan Donohue 0, Sara Souza 0, Crystal Maria 0, Vanessa Freitas 0, Lindsey Bareng 0, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 4, Theresa O'Connor 0, Kuhina Luis 10, Naihe Paikai 0, Aysia Burnett 0. Totals 9 6-14 25.

KAMEHAMEHA — Alexis Furtado 5, Sanoe Keliinoi 2, Tia Perreria 0, Zianna Zablan 2, Lindsey Wong 3, Pomaikai Kalakau 4, Kellsie Crowell 2, Makana Borden 6, Kylie Roy 4. Totals 12 3-15 28.

3-point goals: Sacred Hearts 1 (Munos). Kamehameha 1 (Furtado).

Reported by Debbie Lukela

ILH GIRLS DIVISION II

PUNAHOU 66, LANAKILA BAPTIST 26: Hilary Nakaya scored 12 points, Kira Bailey and Michelle Tam each added 10, and the Buffanblu raced to a 34-18 halftime lead in rolling past the Warriors at Punahou.

PUNAHOU 15 19 16 16 — 66

LANAKILA BAPTIST 6 12 4 4 — 26

PUNAHOU — Olivia Manayan 0, Ashley Choy 3, Sara Nishikawa 0, Courtney Lelepali 0, Kira Bayley 10, Natalie Portwood 8, Taylor Maruyama 8, Kayla Murata 7, Julia Ayabe 2, Jessica Lin 6, Michelle Tam 10, Hilary Nakaya 12. Totals 30 4-8 66.

LANAKILA BAPTIST — Erika Ellis 5, Crystal Sonson 10, Jessica Sonson 5, Bliselda Miranda 0, Maikalani Eli 0, Joy Duncan 4, Cheriane Goodknecht 2, Neticia Susuico 0. Totals 10 6-15 26.

3-point goals: Punahou 2 (Choy, Murata). Lanakila Baptist none.

Reported by Scott Metcalf

KAMEHAMEHA 56, WORD OF LIFE 29: Briauna Bissen scored nine points and all 11 Warriors who played scored in a victory over the visiting Firebrands, who trailed 32-10 at intermission.

WORD OF LIFE 4 6 5 14 — 29

KAMEHAMEHA 18 14 18 6 — 56

WORD OF LIFE — Faith Zerba 0, Rayane Alvarado 13, Alexis Villa 0, Lelina Molale-Toro 0, Shelbi Miyashiro 0, Adaiah Hanakahi 3, Phoibe Fetu 8, Channelle Maldonado 5, Paea Naulu 0, Elaine Naulu 0. Totals 11 3-8 29.

KAMEHAMEHA — Briauna Bissen 9, Kimberly Ubilas 3, Kyndall Moi-Simeona 6, Cheyane Kamai 6, Kelly Opedal 7, Larissa Ogawa 8, Lacy Deniz 3, Neilina Vierra 5, Tehani Tamaye 2, Courtney Bartels 2, Rachel Kaneakua 5. Totals 19 16-28 56.

3-point goals: Word of Life 4 (Fetu 2, Alvarado 1, Hanakahi 1). Kamehameha 2 (Opedal, Deniz).

Reported by Debbie Lukela

MARYKNOLL 54, ST. ANDREW'S 45: Ashley Agcaoili and Tiana Marquez each scored 12 points, and the visiting Spartans rallied from a 29-23 hafltime deficit to beat the Pride.

MARYKNOLL 11 12 16 15 — 54

ST. ANDREW'S 18 11 10 6 — 45

MARYKNOLL — Kristen Canencia 9, Kayla Godinet 6, Ashley Agcaoili 12, Melissa Ching 9, Soana Fifita 6, Tiana Marquez 12. Totals 21 8-11 54.

ST. ANDREW'S — Rebecca Kleinschmidt 2, Shellie Wong 7, Mina Watanabe 12, Noelani Kawashima 18, Erika McCaskill 6, Teisha Laboy 0. Totals 14 9-12 45.

3-point goals: Maryknoll 4 (Marquez 2, Ching 1, Canencia 1). St. Andrew's 8 (Watanabe 2, Kawashima 4, McCaskill 2).

Reported by Sheryl Grimm

HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY 45, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 29: Raquel Gonzalez and Ana Bechard each scored 14 points, leading the host Knights over the Patriots.

CHRISTIAN ACAD 2 10 11 6 — 29

HAWAIIAN MISSION 12 8 9 16 — 45

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY — Leslie Cruz 4, Geena Cunha 2, Kristin Addington 9, Megan Salazar-Winters 8, Victoria Adres 0, Chazley Baitlon 4, Cheyenne Kessell 2. Totals 11 6-19 29.

HAWAIIAN MISSION — Alana Muller 6, Samantha Ramos 4, Tiffany Pinontoan 0, Caroline Kim 2, Colleen Uechi 2, Erika Tsubokura 3, Raquel Gonzalez 14, Ana Bechard 14. Totals 16 13-27 45.

3-point goals: Christian Academy 1 (Salazar-Winters). Hawaiian Mission none.

Reported by Lei Kinimaka

ILH BOYS DIVISION II

Hawaiian Mission Academy 74, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 58: Seth Katada scored 19, Jonathan Ko 15 and Aaron Bechard 12, powering the host Knight over the Patriots.

CHRISTIAN ACAD 17 13 14 14 — 58

HAWAIIAN MISSION 18 16 17 23 — 74

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY — Jason Ko 20, Michael Urcia 19, Jathniel Manahan 3, Abel Orbistondo 8, Micah Yamada 0, Ryan Kobayashi 0, Axton Durand 3, Zachary Fu 5, Jasen Ocol 0, Jake Okumura 0, Kalani Baughman 0, Robert Helsham Jr. 0. Totals 22 11-23 58.

HAWAIIAN MISSION — Jonathan Ko 15, Jacob Chan 6, Grant Kono 7, Christian Domingo 9, Brandon Winslow 2, Aaron Bechard 12, Seth Katada 19, Ryan Asatani 0, Brian Williams 2, Kaleb Lane 2. Totals 26 20-30 74.

3-point goals: Christian Academy 3 (Ko 3). Hawaiian Mission Academy 2 (Katada 2).

Reported by Lei Kinimaka

OIA GIRLS RED

FARRINGTON 95, KALANI 71: Lusina Otineru scored 18 points, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo had 15, Natalie Mata 14, and Kirsten Liana 11, leading the host Governors over the Falcons in the OIA Red season opener for both.

KALANI (0-1) 20 14 21 16 — 71

FARRINGTON (1-0) 25 22 26 22 — 95

KALANI — Kelsie Maslanka 5, Corie Kuia 6, Ashlyn Onaga 17, Kiera Iinuma 5, Cristine Sasano 10, Kristi Belshe 3, Leina Faleolo 6, Hikaru Kumagai 2, Jamie Higa 17. Totals 19 27-38 71.

FARRINGTON— Jasmine Funtanilla 6, Angie Argel 2, Natalie Mata 14, Lucky Crichton 6, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 15, Precious Maave 7, Janell Nance 7, Kirsten Liana 11, Aisha Gaea 9, Lusina Otineru 18. Totals 37 18-30 95.

3-point goals: Kalani 6 (Sasano 2, Belshe 2, Maslanka, Iinuma). Farrington 3 (Mata, Tatupu-Leopoldo, Maave).

JV — Farrington 43, Kalani 32.

Reported by Donna Tatupu

'AIEA 62, RADFORD 53: Carol Sio scored 15, Natasha Helsham 14 and Natasha Fong 12 to lead visiting Na Ali'i past the Rams, who got 22 points from Bui Baravilala.

'AIEA (1-0) 13 12 23 14 — 62

RADFORD (0-1) 6 16 15 16 — 53

'AIEA — Ashley Liilii 3, Celeste Fong 8, Natasha Helsham 14, Natasha Fong 12, Crystal Tagudin 3, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 4, Maria Holtzman 0, Kaui Kuehu 3, Carol Sio 15. Totals 24 12-21 62.

RADFORD — Melanie Alofaituli 7, Marissa Stavros 0, Bui Baravilala 22, Antionette Carradine 8, Disa Brown 13, Pierra Brown 3, Alanna Gionet 0, Ja'kila Leggett 0. Totals 20 10-14 53.

3-point goals: 'Aiea 2 (Fong 2). Radford 3 (D. Brown 3).

JV — Radford 38, 'Aiea 29.

Reported by Enid Betonoio

ROOSEVELT 50, CASTLE 21: Mikela Thoemmes scored 19 points, Joshy Koga had 12 and the host Rough Riders used a 17-0 third quarter to pull away from the Knights.

CASTLE (0-1) 5 9 0 7 — 21

ROOSEVELT (1-0) 7 11 17 15 — 50

CASTLE — Brande Sasaki 0, Cailee Awa 11, Britt Hawn 0, Britt Lane 0, Leisha Li'ili'i 4, Kaity Wills 0, Macee Moe 0, Ashley Ballestenos 0, Joshell Lilio 6, Kree Espinda 0. Totals 9 2-7 21.

ROOSEVELT — Charisse Tanabe 0, Kelcie Namba 4, Samantha Murakami 0, Kathleen Nakata 5, Nicole Ramirez 3, Abcde Furuta-Harada 3, Rachel Gomes 0, Mikela Thoemmes 19, Joshy Koga 12, Cierra Kapea 0, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 4. Totals 20 7-16 50.

3-point goals: Castle 1 (Awa). Roosevelt 3 (Namba, Nakata, Ramirez).

JV — Roosevelt 34, Castle 18.

Reported by Clint Chikamori

CAMPBELL 50, WAI'ANAE 27: Jazmin Brown had 16 points, Chantaty Samante added 10, and the Sabers broke it open against the Seariders with a 20-2 fourth quarter.

WAI'ANAE (0-1) 8 10 7 2 — 27

CAMPBELL (1-0) 7 10 13 20 — 50

WAI'ANAE — Emma Atiga 3, Beverly Madrid 11, Evalani Yoshimura 3, Shantel Buckner 8, Maili Enos-Bionigan 2. Totals 10 5-12 27.

CAMPBELL — Ama Lui 5, Jaysha Delizo 8, Karen Tano 0, Jazmin Brown 16, Chantaty Samante 10, Sammi Aki 0, Ikoa Dias-Kekahuna 1, Stormi Wright 0, Ariel Medlin 3, Randi Wright 0, Oli Kila 7, Chelsey McDonald 0. Totals 18 14-25 50.

3-point goals: Wai'anae 2 (Madrid, Yoshimura). Campbell none.

JV — Campbell 42, Wai'anae 27.

Reported by Jodi Bantolina

MCKINLEY 43, KAILUA 32: Tatiana Dinson scored 18 points and the host Tigers pulled away by outscoring the Surfriders 18-8 in the final quarter.

KAILUA (0-1) 5 7 12 8 — 32

MCKINLEY (1-0) 8 10 7 18 — 43

KAILUA — Jayna Hanawahine 0, Tawny Kiko 5, Sola Williams 0, Teuila Asele 2, Zsalei Kamaka 8, Ka'u Kohatsu 6, Alysha Franco 0, Anu Ahyun 0, Ashley Jacobs 11, Tia Navarro 0. Totals 12 7-17 32.

MCKINLEY — Emerenciana Rayes 2, Kylie Sato 0, Twanzyna Spencer 0, Ashley Gravley 0, Tatiana Dinson 18, Brenda Walker 6, Hannah Yoo 4, Jorena Faletoi 8, Juwill Sparks 0, Alison Villanueva 0, Jaylynn Baoit 0, Jackie Tehano 5. Totals 17 8-17 43.

3-point goals: Kailua 1 (Jacobs). McKinley 1 (Tehano).

JV — Kailua 40, McKinley 19.

Reported by Nina Thang

OIA GIRLS WHITE

KAIMUKI 35, LEILEHUA 21: Olivia Phommachanh scored nine points and the visiting Bulldogs led 8-0 after one quarter and made it stand up in beating the Mules.

KAIMUKI (1-0) 8 8 12 7 — 35

LEILEHUA (0-1) 0 10 6 5 — 21

KAIMUKI — Olivia Phommachanh 9, Pua Akaka 1, Sasha Tokuda 2, Brooke Borce 0, Tanya Villanueva 0, Dinishah Fa'asoa 2, Justell Authur 0, Brittney Anglin 1, Letisha Fa'asoa 8, Dejah Fa'asoa 5, Mikki Morihara 0, Leti Mikaele 2, Ashley Fortson 1, Lani Mikaele 4. Totals 13 6-10 35.

LEILEHUA — Ciara Paracuelles 0, Chelsey Fontes 0, Patricia Lindo 5, Alaina Johnson 0, Keke Moala 0, Michelle Fletcher 6, Mariyah Tamaalemalo 2, Toe Motu 4, Brittany Taufui 0, Alondra Hooks 4. Totals 6 8-12 21.

3-point goals: Kaimuki 3 (Phommachanh, Anglin, D. Fa'asoa). Leilehua 1 (Lindo).

JV — Leilehua 27, Kaimuki 14.

Reported by Kristie Sasamur

WAIALUA 40, 'ANUENUE 30: The Bulldogs defeated Na Koa. Game summaries and statistics were unavailable.

WAIPAHU-KAISER: The game between the Maruaders and host Cougars was rescheduled for Jan. 19.

SAINT FRANCIS MERV LOPES

HOOPS CLASSIC III

At King Armory.

CHAMPIONSHIP

DE LA SALLE (CALIF.) 41, CAMPBELL HALL (CALIF.) 20

Leading scorer—CH: Austin McBroom 11.

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I 50, KAILUA 42

Leading scorers—KSH: Kawika Cazimero 12, Kulani Soares 12, Chrisitan Khaho'okaulana 15.

KALAHEO 78, HILO 56

Leading scorers—Kalh: Aaron Fernandez 22, Matt Jasparine-Young 24. Hilo: Kaulana Kalauui-Roni 11, Dustin Leong 13.

ROOSEVELT 51, LEILEHUA 45

Leading scorers—Roos: Reid Oshiro 15, Kaipo Hale 11. Lei: Hoku Kama 13.

MILILANI 60, MID-PACIFIC 56

Leading scorers—Mili: Hassan Richardason 16, Reid Tangelinan 14. MPI: Cameron Roberts 11, Marcus Holyfield 18.

CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP

WASILLA (ALASKA) 69, CASTLE 49

Leading scorers—Wasilla: Adrese Lavern 15, Cody Pfeifer 10, Chris Edwards 17. Cast: Nick Tuamoheloa 11, Isaiah Tilton 16, Kevin Junior 11.