Hanalani holds on to top Le Jardin, halt six game skid

Brian Bautista | SL

Hanalani got back into the win column with a 61-57 win at home over Le Jardin, snapping a six game losing streak in the process.

The Royals jumped out to a 22-10 lead after the first quarter, then did its best to hold off the Bulldogs in the next two quarters, where the visitors held a 33-25 advantage and trimmed the lead to just 47-43, but could not get any closer.

Noah Takahata had a game-high 18 points in the win, one of three Royals in double figures, which included Mycah Lucas and Kepa Delgado who each chipped in 11.

Le Jardin had a trio of players hit double figures as well, led by Laakea Kamahele with 15. Giovanni Olivia and Jackson Swirsky both finished with 13 points each in the loss. Kai Kimhan hit three threes to score nine points.

Hanalani finishes off the regular season with a home finale against division-leading University Lab on Sat. Feb. 3, while Le Jardin has three games remaining on its slate, with home games against Damien (Feb. 5) and Maryknoll II (Feb. 7) before finishing up with the Jr. Bows at Damien on Feb. 9.

A suspended game between Hawaii Baptist and Hanalani on Jan. 8 could become a factor, but only with a Hawaii Baptist loss to Damien coupled with a Hanalani win over University Lab on Feb 3. Another scenario could see the winning team of the suspended game challenge Le Jardin for the third seed, but only if the Bulldogs fail to win two of its last three contests.