By Wes Nakama
Book-ending its dominant OIA girls basketball season with another convincing victory over challenger Moanalua, Kahuku raced past Na Menehune, 52-36, Wednesday night for its second straight league championship.
A vocal crowd of about 500 at McKinley’s Student Council Gym and statewide TV audience on Spectrum OC16 watched Makana Kamake’eaina score a game-high 17 points and Tailele Wily-Ava add 13 points to help the Red Raiders improve to 14-2 overall and finish a perfect 13-0 in the OIA. Kahuku earned the league’s No. 1 seed and first-round bye for next week’s state tournament. Moanalua, which fell to 15-8 and 11-2, will begin state tournament action in Monday’s first round against OIA Eastern Division rival Kailua (16-13).
Kahuku began OIA play on Dec. 13 with a 58-38 home victory over Na Menehune, in which it outscored Moanalua 15-3 in the third period to take a 40-25 lead into the fourth.
On Wednesday, the Red Raiders did not wait that long to separate, taking leads of 5-0, 9-2 and 18-8 after Wily-Ava’s 3-pointer from the left wing with 20 seconds remaining in the first period. Another 3 by Wily-Ava from the right corner capped a 9-2 run to extend it to 32-16 three minutes into the third period, and the closest Na Menehune could get thereafter was 38-27 on Shanti Castillo’s 3-pointer with 6:37 left in the game. Kahuku then responded with a 12-2 run to make it 50-29 with under two minutes to go.
“They came out with confidence, I feel like we were ready for it,” Red Raiders coach Artevia Wily-Ava said of her team. “Yesterday we were able to regroup and take a break (after Monday’s 58-41 semifinal victory over Campbell), so I was excited for them.”
The Red Raiders established their athleticism and physicality early, and with the score at 23-14 midway late in the second period, Moanalua lost starting senior guard Rheanna Nobleza when she slammed full speed into a screen set by a Kahuku offensive player. Nobleza left the court with a mild concussion.
Nobleza, who had scored seven points, is a three-year starter who is considered an emotional leader for Na Menehune.
“She’s a leader, so when she goes down, everybody gets a little deflated,” Moanalua coach Kirk Ronolo said. “Our first game with them was physical, but not as physical as this. Our turnovers hurt us. But take nothing away from Kahuku, that’s a great team.”
Another key for the Red Raiders was holding Na Menehune center Shailoh Li’ili’i to just six points — she had scored 18 points in the regular season finale against Kailua and 14 in Monday’s semifinal victory over Mililani.
“She’s a great player, and she really is someone we had to key our defense on,” Artevia Wily-Ava said. “So our girls did a good job trying to contain her. I know she didn’t get a lot of looks at the basket.”
Tailele Wily-Ava had two fouls early in the second period and Kamake’eaina picked up her third three minutes later, forcing both to the bench. But Kahuku’s reserves held down the fort as the Red Raiders led 25-14 at halftime.
“Our coaches were just telling us not to rush anything and just settle down,” said Wily-Ava, who scored eight points in the first period. “We were up, so obviously there was no need to rush. I always want to be on the floor, so I was a bit sad. But seeing other girls get the opportunity to play on the court with each other made me happy.”
Coach Wily-Ava said the championship was a team effort all the way around.
“Whether they’re on the court or on the side, they’re just always rooting for each other,” Wily-Ava said. “I feel that’s the best thing about our team. Everyone is just very supportive.”
Photos: Jonathan Salvador
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