Maryknoll rolls past Konawaena to claim Sellitto Invitational title

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Maryknoll jumped out to an early advantage and was not challenged in a 70-32 win over Konawaena in the title game of the Tony Sellitto Hawaii Invitational.

Nixis Yamaguchi had 14 points, Mission Uperesa-Thomas 11 and Ghesiah Faleafine-Auwae added a season-high 10 points to lead the way for the Spartans, who led 19-10 after the first quarter and 32-16 at the break.

The Spartans nearly had all five of its starters hit double figures, as Rome Lillio and Keanu Lee both scored nine as well. The opening five for Maryknoll accounted for 53 of the 70 scored in the contest.

Konawaena got 11 points from Alex Martinez in the loss.

The Wildcats split its four games played over the week at Maryknoll, notching closely contested wins over West Anchorage (64-60) and Centennial (53-51), while dropping games in blowout fashion to the Spartans and North Torrance (62-30).

Maryknoll improved to 12-2 in the preseason with the win. Its only losses thus far are 45-42 to Kailua and 43-42 to Saint Louis.