Despite a two-game losing streak, Word of Life still is in the thick of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II girls basketball race, more than doubling its win total from the past two seasons.

So even after last night's 47-41 loss at 'Iolani, coach Roy Alvarado emphasized the positive.

"We're a small school, and in the past against these bigger schools we usually would lose by 20 points or more," Alvarado said. "But now we're giving these teams good games, so it's exciting for us."

Staying focused has not always been easy for the Firebrands, amid recent rumors about the school possibly shutting down by the end of May due to financial straits.

Word of Life headmaster Royce Tanouye told The Advertiser yesterday the school has no plans to shut down, although parents said budget cuts have resulted in staff reductions and a switch to more of an online curriculum.

But through it all, the girls basketball team has piled up wins — the Firebrands started off 9-0 — before a 43-39 loss to Punahou on Saturday, and still are in second place among state tournament-eligible teams at 9-2.

"We really want to go as far as we can," said senior Phoibe Fetu, who scored a game-high 15 points last night. "We want to make the program known."

Fetu, a standout on Word of Life's two-time DII state runner-up volleyball team, is one of six seniors on the basketball team and among the few who have attended the school since kindergarten.

She said speculation about the Word of Life's possible closure was disturbing, at first.

"Just to hear something like that is tragic," Fetu said. "But we're always going to keep the faith and pray that we'll come out on top."

Fetu said the change in curriculum happened upon the students' return from winter break, but has not affected her desire to learn.

"It all depends on how you take it," Fetu said. "Obviously, if you have a bad attitude, you're not going to learn. But if you want to learn, you're still going to benefit from it. For me, it's made me focus a lot more."

Alvarado said the team has done a good job staying positive.

"Even with all the uncertainty about the future, the girls do not think about that," Alvarado said. "They've persevered and stayed in the system. For us to be doing as well as we are, I'm very pleased."

WORD OF LIFE (9-2) 6 13 10 12 — 41

'IOLANI (9-2) 7 15 11 14 — 47

WORD OF LIFE — Faith Zerba 2, Rachel Tokuda 1, Alexis Villa 8, Phoibe Fetu 15, Chanelle Maldonado 11, Monique Jackson 0, Leilani Molaie-Toro 0, Adaiah Hanakahi 2, Elaine Naulu 2. Totals 16 7-19 41.

'IOLANI — Ashlyn Yokoyama 12, Khaydan Gabriel 2, Jelene Wong 13, Malia Ma 6, Mele Halaifonua 3, Alisha Kodama 9, Stasha Eliu 2. Totals 16 12-16 47.

3-point goals — Word of Life 2 (Maldonado 2). 'Iolani 3 (Yokoyama 2, Wong).

SACRED HEARTS 61, ST. ANDREW'S 18

Vanessa Freitas scored 15 points and the host Lancers led 22-4 after one quarter and 33-8 at halftime in beating the Pride.

ST. ANDREW'S (2-9) 4 4 5 5—18

SACRED HEARTS (11-0) 22 11 13 15—61

ST. ANDREW'S — Kerri Inoshita 3, Kailyn Osaki 0, Joy Winslow 0, Rebecca Kleinschmidt 6, Cheyenne Heath 2, Hayley Dixon 4, Tamika Woody 0, Diana Cabral 3. Totals 5 7-23 18.

SACRED HEARTS — Kara Vause 2, Rayna Munos 13, Lynsey Overstreet 4, Vanessa Freitas 15, Anjela Kim 0, Sara Souza 6, Darcy Ebato 2, Hunter Wilson-Pena 0, Basha-Lei Almadova 4, Tess O'Connor 9, Naihe Paikai 4, Paris Johnson 2. Totals 25 10-12 61.

3-point goals — St. Andrew's 1 (Dixon). Sacred Hearts 1 (Munos).

Reported by Gail Juan

ILH BOYS DIVISION II

UNIVERSITY HIGH 48, LANAKILA BAPTIST 39

Isaiah Delaura scored 17 points and the Jr. Rainbows opened up a 29-16 halftime lead in beating the Warriors at Salt Lake District Park gym.

LANAKILA BAPTIST (1-7) 9 7 8 15—39

UNIVERSITY HIGH (1-6) 17 12 6 13—48

LANAKILA BAPTIST — Michael Miranda 2, Josh Pananganan 10, Chase Hazelwood 8, Marcus Takahashi 4, Jordan Kabato 11, Jordan Soriano 0, Zack Ramos 2, Aaron Ono 0, Richard Abbley 0, Joseph Lawson 0, Matt Kakilala 2. Totals 14 9-12 39.

UNIVERSITY HIGH — Adam Oshiro 2, Micah Ganiron 0, Gavin Zestal 1, Nalu O'Connor 5, Makena Rothenborg 9, Ian Akamine 0, Cameron Conant 4, Isaiah Delaura 17, Gui Aires 3, Ben Keller 7. Totals 20 7-9 48.

3-point goals — Lanakila Baptist 2 (Pananganan, Hazelwood). University High 1 (Rothenborg).

Reported by Michael Schwab

OIA BOYS RED EAST

KAHUKU 72, FARRINGTON 42

Nehoa Akina and Shairone Thompson each scored 17 points, and the host Red Raiders drained 10 3-pointers in rolling past the Governors.

FARRINGTON (2-6) 10 10 8 14—42

KAHUKU (7-1) 13 17 22 20—72

FARRINGTON — Scotland Smith 0, Gregie Bupgos 7, Paul Solomon 2, Jayfrey Damo 4, Jefrey Madarang 8, Bernard DeLeon 0, Ernes Pucholong 0, Joel Lanzaderas 0, Justin Vele 4, Clem Rarogal 0, Lancelot Williams 10, Ronald Williams 7, Keoni Kiko 0, Viane Viana 0 . Totals 17 3-9 42.

KAHUKU — Michael Tyau 0, Kawehena Johnson 10, Mua Malufau 3, Samala Afalava 5, Hans Brown 2, Evan Moe 0, Sage Kaka 5, Wonka Beatty 3, Nehoa Akina 17, Jackson Kaka 6, Shairone Thompson 17, Josh Christiansen 2, Mason Golden 2, Michael Leoto 0. Totals 29 4-6 72.

3-point goals — Farrington 5 (Williams 2, Madarang 2, Damo). Kahuku 10 (Akina 3, Johnson 2, Afalava, Malufau, S. Kaka, Beatty, J. Kaka).

JV — Kahuku 43, Farrington 37

Reported by Marvelyn Santeco

KAIMUKĪ 37, MCKINLEY 28

Johnny Tuitele scored eight points to boost the host Bulldogs.

MCKINLEY (1-7) 13 7 6 2—28

KAIMUKĪ (5-3) 2 19 10 6—37

MCKINLEY — Jason Ramano 3, Ryan Arzadon 2, Micah Waters 0, Sio Fiso 0, Pryson Wallace 0, Kioco Melson 8, Lesley Machiguchi 5, Jason Sabado 1, Rio Kwon 9, Andy Sombatphibane 0. Totals 12 2-9 28.

KAIMUKĪ — Raphael Vares 0, Tevin Nishiyama 3, Nicholas Motellang 0, Mason Kualii-Moe 6, Gordan Gestrich 0, A.J. DeJesus 0, Jonn Kakitani 6, Elijah Morita 4, Johnny Tuitele 8, Gabriel Stietzel 4, Chester Sua 6, Ken Hashimoto 0. Totals 15 5-8 37.

3-point goals — McKinley 2 (Ramano, Kwon). Kaimukī 2 (Nishiyama, Kakitani).

JV — McKinley 45, Kaimukī 42 (OT).

Reported by Kelly Grant

KALĀHEO 53, KAISER 43

Aaron Fernandez scored 13 points and the host Mustangs made 30 of 44 free throws in beating the Cougars.

KAISER (2-6) 10 9 4 20—43

KALĀHEO (4-3) 7 13 10 23—53

KAISER — Matthew Nagata 0, Davin Morton 0, Adam Kostylo 0, Justin Wuich 9, Preston Wuich 6, Doug Gehring 2, Corey Lum 6, Bret Kanoa 5, Mark Guirguis 5, Quinton Wong 3, Ronson Hill 7. Totals 17 6-8 43.

KALĀHEO — Quincy Mason 2, Esaias Stagner 1, Kevin Leong 7, Shane Hipa 6, Derick Morgan 4, Kona Makaula 16, Wilson Macleod 2, Aaron Fernandez 13, Jordan Reindollar 2. Totals 11 30-44 53.

3-point goals — Kaiser 3 (J. Wuich, Kanoa, Guirguis). Kalāheo 1 (Hipa).

JV — Kaiser 50, Kalāheo 36

Reported by Chico Furtado

OIA BOYS RED WEST

LEILEHUA 53, 'AIEA 39

Xavier Adger scored 17 points and the visiting Mules took a 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter and held off the Mules.

LEILEHUA (5-3) 5 11 8 13—37

'AIEA (2-6) 8 9 3 12—32

LEILEHUA — Brent Lemon 3, Dillon Pau'u 4, Chester Rufo 0, Richard Cherry 0, Josiah Caravallo 0, Paul Gorton 0, Stockton Crowley 2, Martin Hall 4, Carlos Marshall 5, Xavier Adger 17, Lopaka Chandler 2, Cassius Camanse 0. Totals 15 5-14 37.

'AIEA — Kory Naeole 14, Chucky Kaahunui 4, Branden Abiva 0, Api Foumai 5, Freddy Taliulu 2, Daniel Chambers 0, Keano Kuia 0, Dylan Dobson 0, Phillip Madriaga 0, Michael Hogan 0, Braxton Fukutomi 7, Colin Naito 0, Ilalio Sio 0. Totals 14 2-4 32.

3-point goals — Leilehua 2 (Hall, Marshall). 'Aiea 2 (Naeole 2).

JV — Leilehua 53, 'Aiea 39

Reported by 'Aiea Athletics

RADFORD 37, KAPOLEI 33

Dorsey Norris scored 10 points, helping the host Rams hold off the Hurricanes.

KAPOLEI (1-7) 4 7 4 18—33

RADFORD (5-3) 9 7 4 17—37

KAPOLEI — Micheal Ching 0, Jordan Solidum 2, Jared Milare 2, Wes Mataafa 3, Devyn Knight 2, Kamry Nedd 0, Nahshon George 10, Kapua Awong 10, Povesi Togiailva 4. Totals 12 9-16 33.

RADFORD — T.J. Reid 6, Glenn Castil 0, Tevita Baravilala 3, Jefferson Fiesta 6, Zach Pelzl 4, Wayne Keys Jr. 0, Bobby Woshlager 2, Isaiah Jackson 0, Dorsey Norris 10, JB Fontenot 6, Cy Salanoa 0, Roscoe Kalilikane 0. Total 14 9-16 37.

3-point goals — Kapolei none. Radford none.

JV — Kapolei def. Radford.

Reported by Radford Athletics.

OIA BOYS WHITE

WAI'ANAE 39, PEARL CITY 34

Christian Mendonza scored 12 points and the visiting Seariders outscored the Chargers 13-2 in the final quarter to improve to 4-0 in the OIA White Division.

WAIANAE (4-0) 17 6 3 13—39

PEARL CITY (3-1) 13 11 8 2—34

WAI'ANAE — Kalin Sandobal 4, Keoni Napierala-Rose 2, Christian Mendonza 12, Guyson Amina 6, Paaga Misipati 2, Michael Foster 3, Jonovan Tuinei 2, Anthony Niederschmidt 6, Shawn Asberry 0, Matthew Ramaila 2. Totals 15 9-18 39.

PEARL CITY — Cory Quiamzon 0, Nicholas Villarmia 5, Johnson Chao 8, Mitchell Resurrection 2, Isaac Shim 1, Josiah DeMello 12, Tyler Yamanouchi 0, Kahana Neal 4, Paul Perry 2. Totals 14 5-12 34.

3-point goals — Wai'anae none. Pearl City 1 (Villarmia).

JV — Pearl City 35, Wai'anae 22

Reported by Chelsea Murata

ROOSEVELT 53, KALANI 43

Kaipo Pale had 19 points and 26 rebounds, lifting the host Rough Riders over the Falcons.

KALANI (2-3) 5 16 7 15—43

ROOSEVELT (4-0) 11 13 8 21—53

KALANI — Bryson Yorita 4, Elbert Khataboun 3, Ryoji Iguchi 6, JJ Mariano 5, Vincent Tran 5, Jordan Yogi 4, Nick Hoth 2, Marcus Hill 4, Angelo Berardy 2, Brook Parker 0, Tatsuya Ono 8. Totals 13 12-20 43.

ROOSEVELT — Ese Tago 2, Kalai Kalei 0, Brandon Mitchell 3, Brendan Nakatani 14, Chase Yogi 5, Johnson Delos Santos 6, Pono Patoc 0, Kaipo Pale 19, Robert Willis 0, Troy Nakasuji 4, Miguel Molle 0. Totals 14 25-42 53.

3-point goals — Kalani 5 (Ono 2, Yorita, Kahataboun, Iguchi). Roosevelt none.

JV — Kalani 51, Roosevelt 36

Reported by Steve Hathaway

KAILUA 59, CASTLE 30

Isaiah Vasconcellos scored 13 points, and the host Surfriders saw their 26-12 halftime lead shrink to 43-26 after three quarter before pulling away.

CASTLE (1-4) 8 4 14 4—30

KAILUA (3-2) 11 15 7 26—59

CASTLE — Jaryth Richardson-Acoba 7, Jordan Manalo 4, Jaren Elderts-Bruhn 0, Joshua Kong 5, Adam Canne 2, Micah Maeda 0, Isaac Makekau 4, Joel Hendrix 8, Kainoa Stone 0. Totals 9 10-22 30.

KAILUA — Austin Tilton 0, Calen Friel 0, Rhys Nakakura 7, Chevy Mikaele 4, Kaleo Crowell 0, Corey Lau 9, Luis Valenzuela 9, Ethan Mahaulu 5, Kirk Ronolo 2, Eric Lum 0, Isaiah Vasconcellos 13, John Vave 0, Jordan Decorte 10. Totals 19 19-27 59.

3-point goals — Castle 2 (Kong, Richardson-Acoba). Kailua 2 (Nakakura, Lau).

JV — Castle 46, Kailua 35

Reported by Nahuina Kaiam

NĀNĀKULI 63, WAIALUA 40

Joe Shelton scored 15 points, powering the visiting Golden Hawks past the Bulldogs.

NĀNĀKULI (2-2) 12 18 21 12—63

WAIALUA (1-3) 12 9 13 6—40

NĀNĀKULI — Beyson 0, Leo Varvacena 0, Kapukana Anakalea 0, Gary Shelton 14, Kaimana Silva 14, Robinson Pahinui 3, Joe Shelton 15, Calvin Laumana 9, Brandon 4, Cameron 4, Gage Kamakea 0, Ikena Anakalea 0. Totals 24 10-17 63.

WAIALUA — Micah Hatchie 1, Kristoffer Cuadro 0, Jerimiah Repollo 0, Virgilio Repollo 4, JohnRay Garcia 6, Rudy Galapia 2, Victor Nobello 0, Vance Maluyo 9 Kyle Michael 9, Halsein Moraleda 2, William Sacapulo-Uepa 7, Joseph Souza 0. Totals 14 10-21 40.

3-point goals — Nānākuli 5 (G. Shelton 2, Silva 2, J. Shelton). Waialua 2 (Garcia 2).

JV — Nānākuli 64, Waialua 61

Reported by John Simbahon

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com