Kamehameha handles Sacred Hearts, 57-38


Kamemehameha's Mikiala Maio scored a game-high 14 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Sacred Hearts. CJ Caraang | SL

KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Kamehameha's desire to get to the basket paved the way in its 57-38 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I postseason win over Sacred Hearts at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Warriors (3-10 ILH, 10-11 overall) outscored the Lancers (1-12, 11-13) in every quarter to advance into the semifinals of the league's single-elimination tourney. They will go on the road to face ILH regular season champion Maryknoll Wednesday. 

Junior swingman Mikiala Maio led the charge against Sacred Hearts and finished with a game-high 14 points and eight rebounds in the fourth meeting between the two teams.

"This was probably one of her best games in a while attacking the basket," Kamehameha coach Joe Cho said on Maio. "She's really strong down there and she has good post moves." 

Joining Maio in double figures was Kiana Vierra, who notched 11 points in the win. Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk added nine more and Ryle-Ann Kauahikaua and Kalina Obrey each chipped in eight points.

While Maio scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half, it was her aggressiveness in the first half that hampered Sacred Hearts. The 5-foot-9 junior drew three first half fouls on Jessica Hanashiro, the Lancers' leading scorer heading into the matchup.

Hanashiro, who played through an injury that limited her mobility, sat for most of the second half and did not score until the 3:24 mark of the fourth quarter.

"She gives us a lot of energy and a lot of leadership on the floor," Sacred Hearts coach Ryan Hogue said on Hanashiro. "Not having her out there really hurts." 

Kamehameha held an early 5-1 advantage before Sacred Hearts' Rachel McDaniel scored five straight points to give the Lancers' their only lead of the game. The Warriors responded with a 7-2 lead end the opening period with a 12-9 lead.

Although the Lancers were patient with their possessions, the Warriors closed out strong on their perimeter players and denied them any good looks. This helped Kamehameha take a 24-15 lead at the half as Sacred Hearts shot 2-for-9 in the second quarter.

"We weren't quick enough to move the ball and we didn't move hard enough off the ball," said Hogue. "We like to be patient, but aggressive at the same time. We weren't ready to play on the offensive side. 

Kamehameha led by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter. 

McDaniel led the Lancers in the loss with a season-high 10 points, but was scoreless in the second half. Zoe-Ann Yamamoto added eight points, all of which came at the free throw line (8 of 12).



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].