Kaimuki holds off Moanalua, 46-45


Letishah Faasoa drives the ball down the court against Moanalua. Greg Yamamoto | SL
Alison Pologa, Keana Paez and Letishah Fa'asoa combined to score 41 of Kaimuki's 46 points Thursday night as the visiting Bulldogs held off Moanalua, 46-45, in O'ahu Interscholastic Association girls basketball action.

Kaimuki, the defending Division II state champion, evened its record at 2-2. Na Menehune, a DI state tournament qualifier last season, fell to 1-3.

The Bulldogs led almost from wire-to-wire, but needed to withstand a furious rally by Moanalua in the closing minutes. After a layup by Pologa gave Kaimuki a 38-28 lead with four minutes remaining, Na Menehune closed the gap to three points four different times, only to see the Bulldogs answer with a basket on each occasion.

A free throw by Fa'asoa with 18 seconds left put Kaimuki ahead, 46-42, and Shantaeus Ramos-Diaz's 3-pointer at the buzzer closed it to the final margin.

Pologa scored a game-high 16 points, mostly on fast-break transition layups. Paez added 14 points, also mostly on layups, and Fa'asoa contributed 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Ramos-Diaz and Jasmine Funtanilla each scored 13 points to lead Moanalua.

After Na Menehune guard Joanna Nicolas opened the game with a 3-pointer, the Bulldogs took the lead for good on Pologa's 3-pointer and extended it to 15-10 by the end of the first period boosted by a pair of treys from Fa'asoa.

Moanalua cut it to 17-16 midway through the second period on Jaidon Rego's putback, but Kaimuki responded with another 3-pointer by Fa'asoa and Paez's short bank shot.

The Bulldogs led, 24-19, at halftime.