Kailua's Tara Takata puts up a shot in traffic against Kalani. Takata scored a game-high 19 points in a win over the Falcons. Cody Ford | Special to SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

Fri, Jan 15, 2016 @ Kailua

---

Kalani

46

Kailua

51

Final	1	2	3	4
Kalani (4-7, 8-10)	14	7	8	17	46
Kailua (6-7, 6-8)	5	14	15	17	51

T. Takata 19 pts  9/11 FTs

L. Luke 12 pts  1/2 FTs

KAILUA – Still reeling from its Wednesday loss to Kaimuki, Kailua need a quarter to break out of its doldrums to beat visiting Kalani, 51-46, Friday night at the Harry Murai Gymnasium.

Seniors Delcie Williams and Tara Takata combined for 38 points to keep the Surfriders (5-3) and in the top four in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East. The Falcons (3-6), anchored by Logan Luke's double-double performance (12 points, 12 rebounds), led 16-5 early in the second period, only to watch the Surfriders chip away.

Kailua, though, did see its 34-29 lead dissipate in the first 70 seconds of the fourth period after Julia Lee's 3-pointer and Kayla Espina's layup off a fast break that tied the game at 34. But the Surfriders kept their cool with an 8-0 run and held off the Falcons the rest of the way.

Kailua's answer to Luke was Williams, who recorded a double-double of her own with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Takata led the way with 19 points.

"We were coming off a loss (56-48) Wednesday to (Division II) Kaimuki," Kailua coach Mandy Llamedo said. "The girls worked hard and we fell a little short. They put out a lot, so I think a lot of it was them trying to recupe(rate) and refocus from Wednesday's game. Once they were able to find it, I think we were all right."

While the Surfriders are assured of an OIA tournament berth, finishing in the top four assures a home court advantage for their first game. The Falcons can clinch the division's sixth berth in their regular-season finale at Kalaheo on Jan. 23.

"All year, we've been struggling with a lot of things," Llamedo said. "The focus on them is getting them to play well. We've seen a lot of moments when we do a lot of good things and then we struggle within each game. For me, I'm just looking at consistency. I told them if we can find our consistency, the seedings are going to take care of itself."

The Falcons stormed out the blocks, forcing turnovers and having their way against the Surfriders.

"We started to play tentative," Kalani coach Chi Mok said of team's struggle with Kailua later in the game. "Instead of looking to score, we started looking to pass. That's when the turnovers came in."

Kailua recorded nine steals, three by Williams and two by Takata, who scored off one of her thefts.

After Kalani tied the game at 34 with 6:50 left in the game, Kailua did not lose its composure, going on a 12-4 run with Williams accounting for half the scoring during that stretch.

But Williams' rebounding was superb, especially against the equally tough Luke. Williams scored off two offensive boards; Luke did that three times.

"Pretty rough," Williams said of the battle for the boards. "Every time I would get the rebound, there would be all kinds of hands coming. I'm trying to grab the all, they're trying to rip it out of me. Kind of tough."

"Sometimes, she kind of sits back more than she should," Llamedo said of Williams. "I was hoping she would turn on today and she did. A lot of good things happen to us when she's scoring, when she's touching the ball, looking to make moves."

Mok was well aware of Williams' prowess on the court.

"We warned them about No. 3 (Williams' jersey number)," Mok said. "We tried to get our low-post players to get a body on her at all times. Couple of time they did well with her, but at times they'd forget , leave her alone in the key. We just didn't block out. One of our assignments was to block her out."

Kailua's point guard Takata controlled the ball when it needed protection and she also distributed it well, especially to Williams when lanes were left uncovered.

"She's always directing the girls, leading them," Llamedo said of Takata. "She's another key senior for us."