ILH Boys Basketball
St. Francis routs Damien, 84-69, to remain unbeaten


  

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 @ Damien


Final 1 2 3 4  
Saint Francis (9-0, 25-5) 23 22201984
Damien (10-2, 12-9) 14 15 14 2669
Kapiina King 19 pts  3/7 FTs
Keoni Tom-Millare 22 pts  4 3pm  2/3 FTs




Saint Francis continued an undefeated run through the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II ranks with an 84-69 road win over Damien. Both teams entered the contest at (7-0), but it was the Saints of St. Francis that came up on top (8-0).

"I thought it was good, we played strong defense and we stayed to our task and we were focusing," exclaimed St. Francis Coach Solomon Batoon. "We were focusing on just being efficient on our offense and being patient with the ball and go inside."

Keoni Tom-Millare led St. Francis with 22 points and four triples, shooting 57% from the field. Tom-Millare was also instrumental in cooling off a late Monarch run.

The Saints outscored the Damien Monarchs in each of the first three quarters putting the home team in a 65-43 hole entering the fourth quarter.

"If we get out there and get a good lead, then we run our flex or our motion," expressed Batoon. "We were patient with it so we can run the clock; and then go inside when the opportunity is there instead of forcing it."

Despite the 22 point deficit, Damien would not go quietly. After the first minute of play in the fourth, the Monarchs went on a 6-0 run thanks to some blocked shots on defense. Nick Arakaki and Kapiina King each blocked a shot to help spur the fourth quarter surge. King finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds giving him a double-double for the afternoon.

Arakaki was the man of the hour in the fourth quarter for the Monarchs. With the score 67-48 in favor of the visiting team, Arakaki went on to score the next 11 points for Damien. Arakaki’s scoredin a variety of ways, hitting a reverse lay-up, a trey, free throws, and even a pull-up jumper. He also finished with 19 points, an assist and two block shots.

The home team would battle back but would only get as close as 15 points. Tom-Millare only scored four points in the fourth but he made key hustle plays to keep the Monarchs at bay ranging from offensive rebounds and diving after loose balls to retain possession.

"I was trying to motivate my team to keep playing ball until the buzzer ends," said Tom-Millare.

"Defensively we had a few assignment mismatches but we corrected it and they played well and they played together, that was important," said Batoon on the win.

The Saints will play their final game of the season on Tuesday against University High. A win would give St. Francis an undefeated season. Damien (7-1) needs a win over Hawaii Baptist and a loss by the Saints force a one-game playoff for the regular season title.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.


IMAGE GALLERY



MORE STORIES

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...

Mililani's Kimura named All-OIA West Player of the Year

Senior OH Seth Kimura was joined by teammate Kaito Duranceau on the first team; Trojans' head coach Gabriel...