Punahou's Jack Roney and Tim Steinmeier had a nice connection working last night against 'Iolani.

They hope the connection can continue in college next year.

Roney scored six goals and Steinmeier added four as Punahou beat host 'Iolani, 15-8, in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys water polo tournament final.

Five of Roney's goals came off assists from Steinmeier, his teammate the past six years.

"I look for Jack in set and tonight we were running an isolation with me as the left-hander and Jack at the middle position," Steinmeier said. "I'll look for Jack and either draw a foul or look for him on the inside. Jack can get the ball and easily make a good turn, a good spin move and put the ball in the goal."

As for next year, Steinmeier said: "We're looking forward to possibly playing in college. We're looking to keep the connection and we're looking forward to the UCLA Bruins."

Ken Smith has coached Punahou (8-0) since 1973 and it has won the ILH every year except three.

"Every year they feel different because it's a brand new team every single year," he said. "This feels really good. These guys have really worked hard the past four or five years and it really paid off.

It was the final match for both teams because there is no state tournament for boys water polo.

"Tonight it was the last game so we went all out," Roney said.

Punahou senior Spencer Dung made nine saves.

The Buffanblu led 4-2 after the first period and 8-4 at halftime.

The Raiders' David Lim scored the first goal of the second half, but Punahou scored four of the next five — two by Roney — to take a commanding 12-6 advantage entering the fourth period.

"Experience, size, coaching, playing; they just took it to us," said 'Iolani coach Randy Bart.

Punahou, which had 20 shots on goal, had the edge in experience with nine seniors, while 'Iolani (4-4) had just one.

"That's a big difference," Smith said. "These guys have all been playing for a long time. It's going to be a lot different in the future because they're going to have all the seniors and we're going to have a brand new team."

Andrew Atkinson scored four goals for the Raiders.

CORRECTION

The 2008 girls basketball state tournament semifinals will be played at school sites. A different site was mentioned in yesterday's story.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.