Leilehua tops Kaimuki, 57-51, to reach Red title game

Leilehua's Elyshia Bowden goes up to secure a rebound against Kaimuki. Sylvia Lee | SL

Leilehua advanced to Thursday night's OIA Red championship game with a 57-51 semifinal victory over Kaimuki at Waipahu.

The Mules - winners of 11 games in a row - will face OIA West champion Mililani, which handed Leilehua its only loss, 44-37, in their regular season opener. Mililani routed Waianae 76-39 in the other semifinal. Kaimuki will meet Waianae for third place prior to the title game.

In the first half if looked like Leilehua would also have an easy time. Boosted by the hot hand of sophomore Jerrilyn Maluyo who made four 3-pointers, the Mules made 8 of 12 field goals in the first quarter, led by as many as 14 (26-12) midway in the second quarter and were still up by 11, 33-22 at the intermission.

But Kaimuki, which had already defeated two higher seeded teams in the tournament, rallied in the third quarter forcing eight Leilehua turnovers and holding the Mules to just four points.

When Princess Lauvao, who led all scorers with 24 points, converted her rebound 21 seconds into the final quarter, the score was tied 37-37. After the score was tied at 39, Leilehua scored the next six points in a two-minute span on baskets by Krizzie Calip, Carissa McBride and Tiffany Reyher to lead 45-39.

Lauvao responded with a 3-point play only to see Reyher score from beyond the arc to make it 48-42. Kaimuki never again got closer than four points. Leilehua sealed the win by making all 4 of its free throws in the final 30 seconds.

Although both teams had five 3-pointers, Leilehua used its superior height for a 30-16 edge rebounds and scored most of their points from close range. 5-11 McBride led the Mules with 18 points, including 8 of 11 free throws.

"They have shooters and we know shooters will score. We wanted to keep them from penetrating" said Leilehua coach Elroy Dumalao of his zone defense which forced Kaimuki to shoot from long range. The Bulldogs missed their last 10 from beyond the arc, seven after the game was tied.

About Maluyo's 3-pointers, Dumalao said "She has been shooting those since middle school. Making those early opened up the inside for us."

Said Maluyo who finished with 14 points, "That is the only shot I ever take. We lost momentum in the third quarter, but we won the game by playing with heart."

Not only did Leilehua survive the Kaimuki comeback, their coach Dumalao survived being knocked back on the bench in a sideline collision with Kaimuki's Alison Pologa. "I was more surprised than anything. She is strong." he said.

About the rematch with Mililani, Dumalao said "We had too many turnovers the first time. You can't do that against a team like Mililani."