Defense Clicking For Talented Lady Surfriders Team

Wednesday - January 16, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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Kailua's Zsalei Kamaka tries to block Kahea Chang from making a basket.
Kailua’s Zsalei Kamaka tries to block Kahea Chang from making a basket. Photo by Leah Ball, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The names Kristen Corrales and Ashley Jacobs are well-known to Kailua’s opponents. To be sure, the pair are the focal point of nearly every basketball team that plays against the Surfriders.

Not as heralded, but no less effective for Kailua this season, has been the play of its post players.

“We have four (post players) whom we can play, and we could start any one of them,” declared Kailua girls basketball coach Ramona Takahashi, whose team took a 5-1 mark into the weekend. “We never lose a step, defensively, by bringing someone in.”

Defense has been the point of emphasis for the Surfriders since they opened preseason camp in early November. Buoyed by their best run in years last spring, when they finished 14-6 - including fifth place in the Division II State Tournament, the team has seen that focus pay off in recent weeks, posting key wins over Castle and defending DII OIA champion and previously undefeated McKinley Jan.5.The win over the Tigers marked only the second time McKinley had lost in its last 20 games versus their DII rivals, dating back to last year. Kailua had lost the first game between the schools 44-42 on Dec. 20, but followed that with three straight wins.If anything,the win over Castle best typified Kailua’s defensive prowess as they held the Knights without a second shot through three quarters.


“We talked before the season about wanting to get back to the (state tournament and the) Stan Sheriff Center,and we all agreed that if we improved our team defense, everything else would fall into place,“said Takahashi, whose team hosts Thompson Academy at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.“We’ve been getting better and better (on defense).We’ve worked hard on it, and it’s been a goal of ours.We’ve been able to play man-to-man against everyone we’ve played. We also added four great defenders to our team since last year. “

Kailua’s rotation in the post has revolved around Kahea Chang, Kau Kohatsu and sisters Aui and Sola Williams. Tianna McKeague also is hoping to return to the lineup, having decided to postpone surgery to repair an ACL. Despite not being able to play yet, she’s been one of the team’s leaders, according to her coach.

“She’s been early for practice every day,” he said of McKeague, a 5-foot-7 senior. “Although she’s quiet, she still does her role (as a leader).”

Offensively, behind the steady play of Corrales and Jacobs as well as junior Zsalei Kamaka, the Surfriders have had no trouble finding enough scoring.

Corrales, who provided the margin of victory in the win over McKinley on a last-second shot, has been a steady all-around performer, averaging 8.1 points per game, while Jacobs has scored in double figures in four of Kailua’s five games,including tallying 18 and 19 points versus Kaiser and McKinley, respectively. Kamaka, meanwhile, was the team’s leading scorer in a 47-31 rout of Waialua last Wednesday and is in her third year as a varsity player.


“Kristen has always played great defense, too,” Takahashi said of Corrales, a four-year varsity player. “Her versatility is big. We can play her anywhere. Against Castle, we had to put her at the five (center spot) because we had people in foul trouble.”

Takahashi also praised the play of reserve guard Tawny Kiko, a three-year varsity player.“She was a real spark plug for us last year, and she’s a great teammate. She helps the other girls out.

“Depth is the strength of this tem. There’s always someone at practice who can beat you out (for playing time).”

Following the Thompson Academy game Thursday, Kailua will have six days between games before a second meeting with Thompson Jan. 23 at home.

 

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