Kailua's Patria Vaimaona poured in 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds in a win over Kaiser. Johnny Wilson | Special to SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

Sat, Jan 10, 2015 @ Kailua

---

Kaiser

65

Kailua

74

Final	1	2	3	4
Kaiser (18-8, 17-8)	10	14	20	21	65
Kailua (14-8, 14-8)	25	13	15	21	74

SEASON LEADERS

Patria Vaimaona 20.0 ppg  65.2 FT%

Rose Shimaoka 14.8 ppg  13 3pm  53.8 FT%

In what is shaping up to be quite the battle for the top spots coming out the East in OIA Division I play, Kailua took a crucial step in keeping itself in the thick of things with a big win at home over previously unbeaten Kaiser, 74-65.

"It means a lot, we were waiting for this (game)," said post Patria Vaimaona on getting the win, which helped ease some of the sting of a loss on the road to Farrington just two days ago.

"Extremely proud of them," added Kailua head coach Mandy Llamedo. "Win or lose, I just wanted them to come out and play well and play together."

And play well they certainly did, particularly early on.

Kailua (6-1) came out scorching out the gate, jumping out to a 25-10 lead after the first quarter. The Surfriders seemingly could not miss during that stretch, nailing four threes and 11 field goals in all.

Guard Tara Takata hit for 7 points and Kylee Keohohina-Kaaikala added 6 from the perimeter, with post Patria Vaimaona adding 5 in the quarter working the interior, as the home team showed good balance offensively.

"Its been good to have her lead this team, she's really the thread to this team," said Llamedo of Takata. "Its nice to have her and have her thrive in this environment."

The Cougars did a nice job adjusting defensively heading into the second quarter, applying extra ball pressure on the guards and in particular on the point guard Takata, which helped neutralize a good portion of the offensive efficiency enjoyed by the Surfers in the early going.

At the half, the margin remained in double-figures, but Kaiser chipped away at the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Kailua 20-15, due in large part to the play of Rose Shimaoka, who had eight in the quarter mainly on dribbles drives to the cup. She finished with a game-high 30 points, and added 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.

Kaiser (6-1) pulled to within 4 at the four minute mark, and again with 1:59 left in regulation on a Shimaoka scoop shot and the ensuing free throw, but Kailua, despite early troubles at the charity stripe, made them when it counted, hitting 15-of-20 in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal.

"I think we kept our composure," said Takata. "We knew what we needed to do. We played as a team and that's what keeps up together."

Takata, who hit on 6-of-8 in final frame, atoned for early trouble at the foul line, where she shot just 1-of-9 in the three quarters prior. The 20 points she scored on the night was also a season-high.

"In the beginning it was (a struggle)," laughed Takata. "But I just had to make adjustments and it paid off in the end."

Vaimaona finished the night with a double-double in the post for Kailua, notching 20 points and 12 rebounds to go along with 3 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals. Keohohina-Kaaikala added 13 points and wing Taufau Williams had 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals.

"I expect her to have a big game every night, maybe not always points and boards," said Llamedo. "I've coached her for four years and its good to see her deveoping into this big player." 

Kaiser post Brooke Ho had 12 points and 7 boards before fouling out in the fourth quarter, and guard Natasha Horn added 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the loss for the Cougars.

Division-leading Roosevelt (7-0) will face off against both Kailua and Kaiser during the final week of the regular season, travelling to play the Surfiders on January 20 before hosting Kaiser on the 22nd.