Buffanblu, Warriors dominate to set up all-ILH state final

Brandon Ching

Punahou and Kamehameha-Kapalama put their semifinal matchups out-of-reach by halftime.

For the seventh time in a row, the championship game will be an all-ILH affair in the Title Guaranty/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championship at the Kalaniopuu Aquatic Center on Kamehameha-Kapalama's campus.

The Buffanblu scored 11 goals in the first half to throttle Kahuku, 15-1 while top-seeded Warriors mauled Kaiser, 16-2, in the semifinal nightcap.

The Warriors (11-2 overall) won the ILH after winning three of the five matchups against the Buffanblu (12-3 overall), who have won 13 straight titles.

Punahou cruised through the state tournament competition beating Kapolei, 15-2 in the opening round, 13-1 over third seed Kamehameha-Hawaii in the quarterfinals and a 14-point win over second seed Kahuku.

Allison Kauahi scored four of her five goals in the first quarter as the Buffanblu took a 6-0 lead.

Hudson Geier opened the second quarter with a goal and Synnove Robinson took a long pass from goalie Reia Kimi and scored to make it, 8-0. Kauahi flipped in a shot with her left hand and Reese Stallsmith scored off an assist from Geier. Robinson found the left corner before halftime to make it, 11-0.

Kimorah Wong scored the Red Raiders' lone goal of the game in the third quarter.

Stallsmith scored in transition for one of her two goals in the fourth period and Caylie Sasaki added another to round out the scoring.

Kahuku (14-1 overall) will play Kaiser (13-3 overall) at 4:15 p.m. at Kamehameha for third place.

The nightcap had a similar feel to the first semifinal matchup.

The Warriors overpowered the Cougars with a scoring avalanche to reach the title game for the sixth-straight time.

The site host made quick work of Hawaii Prepatory Academy, 14-5 in the quarterfinals and shut the door on Kaiser by halftime.

Ava Gurney led the way with four goals and Jordyn Nishimura and Tea Brandon had three each.

Nishimura struck first to get Kamehameha on the scoreboard, but Kaiser's Kimie Ginoza answered to the the game at 1.

However, the Warriors went on a nine-goal onslaught. Gurney and Nishimura answered and Leinaala Wong scored on a fast break before Gurney found the left corner at the 1:39 mark for a 5-1 lead after the first quarter.

Kohia Rego nailed a penalty shot and Wong converted an assist from Laikuakamahina Wong to open the second quarter. Brandon's shot found the top right corner, while Nishimura scored her third goal. Isabella Kapali added a goal 16 seconds before halftime, for a 10-1 lead.

The Warriors poured in five more goals in the third period. Gurney had a pair and Brandon's penalty shot skipped through. Lauren Terada scored with a lob into the left corner and Ava Carlson scored with 15 seconds left on a penalty shot.

Brandon scored her final goal at the 4:27 mark and Jaime Farah scored Kaiser's final goal with two minutes left in the fourth.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].