Konawaena rumbles through Kalaheo, 60-38
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State girls' basketball photo gallery |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Last week, Jazzmin Awa-Williams of Konawaena High School was on the prom court, serving as a junior attendant.
Last night, she ruled the Stan Sheriff Center court, scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds in Konawaena's 60-38 rout of Kalaheo in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Championships.
"I was feeling it," said Awa-Williams, the center on defense and centerpiece on offense. "My shots were falling. But it wasn't only me. Haunani (Liftee), Kara (Hanato-Smith), everyone was feeling it. We put it all together."
The Wildcats, who advanced to the quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive year, shot 60 percent (15 of 25) in the first half to seize a 39-23 lead.
"In the second half, we were playing them even," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said. "But when you're down 16 at the half, you have to do more than play even."
The Wildcats were able to trump each of Kalaheo's defensive schemes. When the Mustangs opened in a 2-3 zone, the Wildcats went to a high-low offense featuring three wing players. The Mustangs could not cover Liftee, who hit her first four shots, or Awa-Williams on the perimeter.
"We stayed in the zone too long, but it was multiple kids hitting shots," Furtado said. "They did a good job of running their offense."
When the Mustangs went to a man-to-man defense, the Wildcats converted to the high pick-and-roll offense, a scheme that frees shooters behind double screens at the top of the key. If a defense overplays, Awa-Williams or Liftee drives the lane. The Wildcats mastered the scheme practicing against their boys' team every day.
"No one can handle them alone, that's why we have to double screen," Awa-Williams said. "It helps us when we play in games."
Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa said: "The boys cheat a lot because they know our offense. Our players have to look for different opportunities. That makes them stronger, tougher and smarter."
The Wildcats, who arrived in Honolulu yesterday morning, said they also prepared with a one-hour afternoon practice at Punahou School. "It was a good warm-up," Liftee said. "It helped us with our shooting."
The only concern for the Wildcats was their early foul trouble. By halftime, guard Liana Hanato-Smith and post player Mana Hopkins each had three fouls. "I thought I was going to run out of players," Awa said.
In the second half, she ordered the Wildcats into a compact 2-3 zone. It was a two-fold strategy: it would limit the reach fouls, and discourage the Mustangs, who were struggling from the outside, from driving.
Awa also turned to Awa-Williams, who scored off jumpers, set shots and drives.
"We tried to take away her penetration," Furtado said. "Her strength is to the left side. But she's a good player. And we had to pay attention to the other players."
Awa-Williams hit 9 of 19 shots, including 3 of 7 from behind the 3-point stripe. She played the entire 32 minutes.
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| DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP WHAT: Hawaiian Airlines girls Division I championship tournament WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center WHEN: through Friday TICKETS: $9 for adults, $5 for 62 and older, and students grades K-12 PARKING: $3 at Stan Sheriff. RADIO: Starcomm Sports Radio will broadcast all games and selected Division II games on KHNR 97.5 FM and streaming on http://www.hi50sports.com" target="_blank">www.hi50sports.com. TV: OC 16 (Oceanic cable) will televise 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. games every day. SCHEDULE Yesterday Game 1 — Moanalua 41, Maui 37 TODAY Consolation Game 5 — Mililani vs. Kalaheo, 12:45 p.m. Quarterfinals Game 6 — Moanalua vs. No. 2 Roosevelt, 2:30 p.m. TOMORROW Consolation Game 10 — Maui vs. Radford, 12:45 p.m. FRIDAY Consolation Game 5 winner vs. G10 winner, 2:30 p.m. Fifth place G11 winner vs. G12 winner, 4:15 p.m. Third place Game 14 loser vs. Game 13 loser, 6 p.m. Championship Game 14 winner vs. G13 winner, 8 p.m. YESTERDAY MOANALUA (8-9) 4 10 19 8—41 MOANALUA—Brianna Lagat-Ramos 0-0 0-0 0, Jade Miller 5-8 0-0 11, Indah Widyakasuma 0-1 0-0 0, Jamie Ronolo 4-12 2-4 12, Britni Ronolo 5-14 2-4 12, Terina Blue 1-5 0-0 3, Nikol Felder 1-6 1-2 3. Totals 16-46 5-10 41. MAUI—Vanity Tuquero 0-0 0-0 0, Mia Shimabuku 0-1 0-0 0, Paea Mataele 0-1 0-0 0, Ariel Gaoiran 2-7 5-7 10, Crystal SIlva 1-4 1-3 3, Lilieni Laloulu-Saleimoa 3-10 2-6 8, Annika Howland 1-1 0-0 2, Hotia Vaaimamao 4-8 2-3 10, Jazimne Corpuz 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 12-34 12-21 37. 3-point goals—Moanalua 4 (Ronolo 2, Miller 1, Blue 1). Maui 1 (Gaoiran 1). Rebounds–Moanalua 23 (B. Ronolo 8, Felder 6), Maui 32 (Laloulu-Saleimoa 11). MILILANI (10-6) 10 9 9 12—40 MILILANI—Kimi Ebina 2-4 0-2 6, Kelsey Woodward 5-8 0-2 12, Summer Wegiel 1-3 0-0 3, Christina Korodan 1-8 4-4 7, Rayna Downey 0-0 0-1 0, Ashley Anthony 1-5 1-6 3, Haunanai Richardson 0-1 0-0 0, Chantel Tanuvasa 1-3 2-4 4, Joleen Realin 1-4 3-4 5. Totals 12-36 10-23 40. KAHUKU—Camilla Ah Hoy 7-13 2-4 16, Lenora Nauahi 1-3 1-2 3, Ane Vea 2-5 0-2 4, Lily Latu 0-1 0-0 0, C. Manguba-Glover 0-1 1-2 1, Artevia Wily 4-15 5-7 14, Nicole Nautu 0-2 0-0 0, Kaimi Ah Puck 2-7 0-0 6, Keisha Moeai 0-0 0-0 0, Salote Livai 0-1 0-0 0, Christin Meredith 2-3 0-0 4, Brittany Fesolai 1-1 0-0 2, Kendra Moe 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-52 9-17 50. 3-point goals—Mililani 6 (Ebina 2, Woodward 2, Wegiel 1, Korodan 1). Kahuku 3 (Ah Puck 2, Wily 1). Rebounds–Mililani 30 (Tanuvasa 8), Kahuku 35 (Wily 8, Ah Hoy 7). RADFORD (12-4) 5 6 6 11—28 RADFORD—Leslie Lazo 0-0 0-0 0, Nicole Grebe 0-0 1-2 1, Celina Cruz 0-0 0-2 0, Ashley Rioux 0-0 1-2 1, Marlena Malepeai 3-14 3-6 9, Frances Respicio 0-1 0-0 0, Brittini Fuller 1-5 0-0 2, Kiara Dykes 0-7 0-0 0, Kamia Smith 3-17 2-2 9, Chelsea Villanueva 1-3 4-4 6, Gabby Rellin 0-0 0-0 0, Marsharon DuPont 0-0 0-0 0, Chadney Thompson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 8-48 11-18 28. KAMEHAMEHA—Miki Nakamura 1-4 0-0 2, Alexis Furtado 1-3 0-0 3, Johanna Sai 2-4 5-7 9, Analee Viena Lota 0-7 0-2 0, Pomaikai Kalakau 0-0 0-0 0, Lindsey Wong 0-0 0-0 0, Piikea Kalakau 0-0 0-0 0, Tiana Abbley 0-2 0-0 0, Pualani Kalakau 0-0 0-0 0, Tatriana Lorenzo 8-14 2-2 18, Leah Godinet 0-2 1-2 1, Kauiokeola Todd 1-1 0-0 2, Kylle Roy 0-0 0-0 0, Casey Lum 1-3 0-0 2, Rhani Kaneaiakala 2-2 7-9 11. Totals 16-42 15-22 48. 3-point goals—Radford 1 (Smith). Kamehameha 1 (Furtado). Rebounds—Radford 40 (Villanueva 7, Smith 6) Kamehameha 35 (Sai 6, Lorenzo 6). KONAWAENA (13-2) 17 22 10 11—60 KONAWAENA—Kaua Wall 0-0 0-0 0, Malia Tanaka 1-1 0-0 2, Liana Hanato-Smith 0-2 0-0 0, Kayti Bowman 0-1 4-6 4, Kara Hanato-Smith 1-5 0-0 3, Leesa Deniz 3-3 0-0 6, Haunani Liftee 5-8 0-0 13, Jazzmin Awa-Williams 9-19 5-7 26, Mana Hopkins 2-3 0-0 4, Marissa Minor 1-3 0-0 2, Lucy Brown 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 22-45 9-15 60. KALAHEO—Hoku Kaiu-Denning 2-3 2-2 6, Delicia Wilson 0-3 2-2 2, Lohi Aweau 2-3 0-0 5, Nova Bird 0-0 0-0 0, Anu Ah Yun 0-0 0-2 0, Shanadee Canon 3-11 4-6 10, Brianne Villarosa 0-2 0-0 0, Caira Pires 0-1 1-2 1, Katie Lintz 1-2 0-2 2, Kendra Fischer 3-8 5-5 12, Kaliko Kepa 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 11-37 14-21 38. 3-point goals—Konawaena 7 (Liftee 3, Awa-Williams 3, K. Hanato-Smith 1). Kalaheo 2 (Aweau, Fischer). Rebounds—Konawaena 34 (Awa-Williams 9). Kalaheo 22 (Canon 4). |
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
