ILH girls basketball tonight. If it seems like there’s always basketball at ‘Iolani Gymnasium, that’s because it’s true. The boys ‘Iolani Classic concluded last night, and here we are back on the Raiders’ hardwood.
This is always a great battle between Kamehameha and ‘Iolani. The No. 7-ranked Warriors are 2-0 in league play. The No. 8 Raiders are 1-1. I haven’t seen Kamehameha yet, but Mikiala Maio has been a stellar point guard for some time now.
FIRST QUARTER
Maio has three rebounds, a steal and an assist to go with one basket. She also has two fouls. When she’s off the court, the offense gets stagnant, mainly because they’ve got some new blood out there. But the Warriors lead 8-4 with 1:49 to go in the quarter.
The Warriors are going strong to the low post, where 5-11 freshman Kalina Obrey scores again. She has six points and it’s 10-4.
Next time down, entry pass low again and Obrey is fouled. ‘Iolani can’t stop her. They’re bringing Sierra Buscher back in to play defense on her. Buscher is coming off the bench these days.
The Raiders run the floor and Camy Aguinaldo attacks the rim, fouled by Maio. That’s the third foul for Maio, and they were all avoidable. If she doesn’t realize how much she means to her team, she’s about to find out. She’s sitting. Aguinaldo hits one FT.
Obrey too strong down low, fouled again. Hits both FTs and its 12-8 after one quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
Pace picking up in this quarter. Obrey hustles for a follow shot, then Kamehameha gets beat back court after a frenetic exchange and Buscher scores on a layup.
Obrey might be a bit winded here. Hasn’t left the game yet. She misses a 1-and-1.
Freshman Taylor Wu hits two foul shots for IOL.
Obrey hits one of two at the line, 15-12. The pace is getting quick, ‘Iolani’s favor. But the Raiders aren’t hitting open threes. KS coach Joseph Cho calls a full time out, 4:53. They need to catch their breath.
Kiana Vierra blazes upcourt against the press and scores a layup. Then Obrey scores on a feed from Vierra, and Obrey feeds Cassidy Keola, cutting on the baseline, for another layup. That’s a 7-0 run and the Warriors are taking command, 21-12. Raiders time out, 3:43.
That’s a pivotal point for the Raiders. Coach Dean Young switches them from man defense to 2-3 zone and the entire tone of the game changes. Kamehameha can’t get the ball into Obrey with ease anymore. Skylar Nakata scores a fastbreak basket on a feed from Brooke Maeda, Buscher hustles for a putback and Wu steals an errant pass and blows past the Warriors for an easy layup. The Raiders cut the lead to 23-18 by halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
Four 3-pointers by the Raiders and they lead 39-38 going into the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER
Great fourth quarter with four lead changes, along with the one by IOL to take the lead at the end of the third. IOL up 45-44, 4:08. Kawai Kahalehoe, a freshman guard, with a clutch rainbow 3 from the right wing for the lead.
Maio runs over a screener as she chases her man. Fifth foul and she’s gone with 2:10 left.
Raiders work the clock down, then Aguinaldo drives for a layup with 1:05 left. IOL 47-44.
Inbounds pass, Rylee-Ann Kauahikaua scores on a point-blank layup, pass from Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk. That cuts it to 47-46 with :45 left. Time out, IOL, :36.4. OOH this is good.
Skylar Nakata fouled. 1-and-1, makes the first, misses the second. Time out, KS, :19.9. 48-46
Time running out, Paaluhi-Caulk launches a 22-footer from the top, all net. Warrior fans go crazy. Time out, IOL, :03.4
What just happened?? Long pass from the back line, Aguinaldo catches it past midcourt, dribbles and feeds Nakata on the right side baseline. 12-footer, all net at the buzzer. IOL 50, KS 49.
WOWWW.
COMMENTS