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By Paul Honda
Editor
HondaReport.com
Friday, March 12, 2004

HONOLULU—Persistence is common among experienced, state-tournament ready basketball teams.

The Owls of Mid-Pacific Institute provided a glimpse of what may be a program on the rise—again.

Jasmine Vieira pulled in an offensive board and scored on a layup with one second to play, lifting Mid-Pacific over host Moanalua, 45-44, in the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank Lady Menehune Peek Tournament Friday.

Vieira’s timely play came off a missed 15-footer by Sherice Ajifu. Mid-Pac’s comeback win was testament to diligence. Moanalua led for most of the game, though the lead was never more than eight points.

Vieira, a junior, finished with eight points. Sophomore swingman Kristina Lin led MPI with 10 points, and sophomore Danielle Mafua added seven points.

Mid-Pacific will play the Punahou/Kamehameha-O’ahu winner in Saturday’s Consolation games
Waialua 46, ‘Aiea 25—championship game, which will begin at about 7:30 p.m.

Punahou is currently ranked No. 2 in the HondaReport.com Girls’ Basketball Top Ten. Kamehameha-O’ahu is No. 6, but starters Tatriana Lorenzo and Mounia Nihipali are suited up to play this week.

Lorenzo did not play in last week’s Imua Challenge, where the Warriors lost to Kaiser, 40-32. Nihipali returned from an injury to play in the latter part of the tournament.

Junior Ronni Keli’iho’omalu led Moanalua with 13 points. Kaitlyn Ikehara added nine points and Kepua Lee tallied eight.

Shanay Coloma and Misty Maxwell each scored 11 points to lead the Bulldogs, who began to pull away in the second quarter.

Donna Echalas and Jamie Rosario led Na Ali’i with six points apiece.

Saint Francis 48, Honoka’a 37—Senior point guard Jasmine Dulan scored 14 points and controlled the tempo for the Troubadours. Honoka’a was within five points for much of the game, but Saint Francis pulled away down the stretch.

Keisha Kanekoa, a freshman, led the Dragons with 17 points. Sophomore Haunani Liftee added 10 for Honoka’a, a young team that has had plenty of ups and downs in preseason.

Two weeks ago, Honoka’a defeated Mililani, a title contender in the O’ahu Interscholastic Association, 51-27.

Thursday’s Scores
Mid-Pacific 31, ‘Aiea 21
Moanalua 52, Waialua 34
Punahou 34, Saint Francis 27
Kamehameha-O’ahu 45, Honoka’a 23

Saturday’s Games
Seventh place‘Aiea vs. Honoka’a, 3 p.m.
Fifth place
Waialua vs. Saint Francis, 4:30 p.m.
Third place
Moanalua vs. Kamehameha-O’ahu/Punahou loser, 6 p.m.
Championship
Mid-Pacific vs. Kamehameha-O’ahu/Punahou winner, 7:30 p.m.

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