HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Kamehameha-Hawaii hits the list

At this stage of the season, it's all about big boulders.

If the big rocks are in place as a foundation, every coach wants to move forward with fine-tuning.

New wrinkles. Repetition. Any key win along the way, for most young teams, is just icing on the cake.

For Kamehameha-Hawaii, a win over Big Island Division I title contender Hilo over the weekend was significant.

The Warriors (6-2, 2-0 BIIF) took a big step forward over the weekend with a shockingly easy 56-31 victory.

The win propelled the Warriors into the Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball Top 10 for the first time this season.

"As for the win, it was huge for us as it was the first game all season that we finally put everything together," first-year coach Kalani Silva said.

Kamehameha-Hawaii managed to get Hilo's top two players, Vicky Tagalicod and Aisha Sueda, into foul trouble.

Last year's Division II state champion, Kalani, towers with D-I giants now. With the field wide open, KS-Hawaii is clearly a bona fide contender.

Another newcomer to the poll is No. 9 Lahainaluna, which showed no fear and dominated then-No. 8 Maui 51-42 last week.

The Lady Lunas, now 9-1 (2-0 in Maui Interscholastic League play), relied on 5-foot-11 Milika Taufa and powerful sophomore Ofa Namoa. The young hoopsters, both cousins of former Lunas great Fatai Hala'api'api, combined for 31 points.

"We pounded it inside. With the size Maui has, I'm surprised they shot more from the outside," Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard said.

The Lunas are young, but their athleticism and hustle are accentuated in their halfcourt and fullcourt presses.

"We played a halfcourt trap all the way, the whole game," Rickard said, noting that Taufa and Namoa have the agility that allows the Lady Lunas to turn the heat up.

There are just a few teams, like Kalani and Punahou, that are committed to game-long, extended trapping defenses.

"Milika and Ofa can move, but we rely more on the halfcourt trap than the fullcourt," he said. "We're gonna press no matter who we play."

The lone loss so far was against Kamehameha in Moanalua's tournament. The Lunas' guards were out with injury and illness, and Taufa learned a valuable lesson after fouling out in one half.

"Kamehameha is a good team, but it's always good to be at full strength," Rickard said. "We're all right, moving in the right direction."

ILH

Name	G	Pts	Avg	High
Jamie Smith, Iol	3	46	15.3	18
Tressa Torres, Pun	1	15	15.0	15
Nicole Fu, Mryk	3	39	13.0	17
Janelle Nomura, Pun	1	13	13.0	13
Johnelle Kapua, MPI	3	35	11.7	23
Jenna Savusa, MPI	3	34	11.3	14
Alana Matayoshi, Iol	3	31	10.3	14
Analee Viena Lota, Kam	2	21	10.5	13
Chanel Hirata, Iol	3	30	10.0	15
Lindsey Wong, Kam	2	19	9.5	10

3-pointers made -- Chanel Hirata, Iol, 7; Kristen Canencia, Mryk, 3; Alexis Furtado, Kam, 3; Kimberly Henderson, Mryk, 3; Sarah Turgeon, Iol, 3; Analee Viena Lota, Kam, 3, Nicole Fu, Mryk, 2; Jordan Kealoha, MPI, 2, Tami Konishi, Iol, 2; Lindsey Wong, Kam, 2

OIA East

Name	G	Pts	Avg	High
Shanadee Canon, Kalh	3	62	20.7	26
Jamie Ronolo, Moan	3	59	19.7	23
Iwalani Rodrigues, Roos	3	48	16.0	19
Courtney Gaddis, Kaln	3	45	15.0	22
Megan Kamehiro, Kaln	3	39	13.0	18
Louise Fiamate, Kaim	4	48	12.0	14
Valerie Lesu, Far	4	38	9.5	11
Taeja Afalava, Kah	4	37	9.3	16
LeNora Nauahi, Kah	4	37	9.3	13

3-pointers made--Cani Kealoha, Far, 6; Megan Kamehiro, Kaln, 5; LeNora Nauahu, Kah, 4; Jayna Tasaka, Roos, 4; Brittney Fesolai, Kah, 3; Courtney Gaddis, Kaln, 3; Elane Leaupepe, Far, 3; Olivia Phommachanh, Kaim, 3.

OIA West

Name	G	Pts	Avg	High
Ta Nitra Byrd, Rad	3	54	18.0	21
Brittaney Stafford, Lei	3	44	14.7	17
Natasha Helsham, Aiea	4	57	14.3	23
Capri Holiona, Aiea	4	48	12.0	14
Marlena Malepeai, Rad	3	35	11.7	13
Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia, PC	4	46	11.5	16
Tamara Satcher, Kapo	3	31	10.3	15
Ashley Gonzales, Lei	3	27	9.0	15
Joleen Realin, Mil	4	35	8.8	14
Sasha Montez, Nan	3	26	8.7	10

3-pointers made--Ashlee Dela Cruz, Kapo, 5; Natasha Helsham, Aiea, 4; Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia, PC, 4; Jamielyn Kaleiwahea, Mil, 3; Sasha Montez, Nan, 3; Tahnee Foki, Kapo, 2; Lahela Sylva-Kanagusuku, Nan, 2; Desiree Luis, PC, 2

OIA White

Name	G	Pts	Avg	High
Chelsie Sato, McK	3	53	17.7	22
Jessica Dusich, Kais	3	48	16.0	18
Kimberly Meyerowitz, Wail	2	31	15.5	22
Chelsey Ramirez, Wail	3	46	15.3	19
Chelsea Okuma, Kais	3	40	13.3	16
Ashley Jacobs, Kail	4	49	12.3	16
Kori Berinobis, Cast	4	48	12.0	14
Demi Samson, Waip	3	36	12.0	13
Danielle Lovell, Wain	4	42	10.5	15
Jenny Sweeney, Camp	4	42	10.5	14
Zsalei Kamaka, Kail	4	41	10.3	15

3-pointers made -- Chelsey Ramirez, Wail 10; Kori Berinobis, Cast, 7; Ashley Jacobs, Kail, 7; Chelsie Sato, McK,7; Chelsea Okuma, Kais, 6; Kaitlyn Ikehara, McK, 5; Kristyn Mathenson, Kais, 5; Jackie Tihano, McK, 4; Kelsea Berinobis, Cast, 3; Jessica Dusich, Kais, 3; Danielle Lovell, Wain.