OLINDA - The Seabury Hall girls basketball team is a work in progress under first-year head coach Heidi Burger.
Hawaii Baptist Academy is a perennial Division II state-tournament participant from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
That combination added up to a 53-12 win for the Eagles on Thursday night in the final game of the opening round of 17th annual Wahine Classic tournament at the Erdman Athletic Center.
Article Photos
Seabury Hall’s Tiare Camarillo dribbles as Hawaii Baptist’s Nicolette Smith defends during the first quarter of the Eagles’ 53-12 victory over the Spartans on Thursday in a Wahine Classic game at Erdman Athletic Center
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
HBA will face Lake Oswego (Ore.) today in the semifinals at 6 p.m., while Seabury Hall plays a consolation semifinal at 3 against Maui High. The Lakers beat the Sabers 69-15.
"Each game we have improved immensely," Burger said after her team fell to 0-3 in the preseason. "The girls have done what we have asked each game, they have stepped up each game, we have been working on something each game - small, little goals that we work toward each game - and we have accomplished a lot of those each game.
"That is all I'm asking right now, for the girls just to get better each day. It's a rebuilding year and the girls are doing great with it."
Seabury was plagued by turn-overs and a short bench against the relentless HBA press, which was powered by a 15-player roster - coach Keith Sugiura substituted five at a time all night long.
Eleven different Eagles scored, led by Jennifer Uehara's nine points.
Tiare Camarillo scored seven points for the Spartans.
Seabury hung reasonably tough in the first half despite not getting many shots to drop. The Spartans trailed 10-4 after the first quarter and 18-5 late in the first half when Camarillo cashed in a fast break on a nifty pass from Allie Rudow.
HBA's Haley Dixon stole a pass and went the length of the floor for a layup and 20-7 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Spartans clearly grew tired and the Eagles (5-1) took advantage with a 17-3 lead. It was more of the same in the fourth when HBA outscored the hosts 16-2.
"The girls are getting more used to the system, so hats off to the girls," Sugiura said. "They have been working and it is nice to see that in the execution in the game."
HBA is a nearly annual guest in the Seabury tournament. Sugiura said the team's off-island trip is a chance to bond to be ready for the season. He said the tournament is run well by Seabury athletic director Steve Colflesh.
"This trip is a big thing for us. The girls really enjoy it, even the coaches," Sugiura said. "We get to know the girls in a different light, so Mister Colflesh and Seabury Hall - I don't know how many years we have been here, but it is several times and we really enjoy this trip. We always look forward to the Seabury trip and Seabury is such a great host, so we really thank them."
Burger was a four-year assistant to longtime Seabury Hall coach Phil Tongg.
"Today was a tough night, it was a physical game, our shots weren't falling, but we will learn from this game," she said. "We had girls that came off the bench and played well, everybody played well. Our goal is to be competitive by the time the MIL season rolls around. Right now, each game we are learning. Our goal is by January's season games we are ready to play our D-II schools."
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com
HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY 53
SEABURY HALL 12
HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY (53)
Rylie Wada 4, Jaryn Ramos 3, Kaitlyn Mukai 4, Natasha Travens 2, Amber Au 7, Torie Miyoi 2, Kimberly Au 6, Jennifer Uehara 9, Nicole Shiroma 0, Hailey Chong 0, Lauren Sumida 7, Jenee Brown 0, Hailey Dixon 4, Nicolette Smith 5, Megan Horita 0.
SEABURY HALL (12)
Megan O'Malley 3, Anna Rodgers 0, Brooke Sturdevant 0, Tiare Camarillo 7, Tiana Camarillo 0, Taryn Shaw 2, Rachel Nguyen 0, Rui-Li Inge 0, Dakota Grossman 0, Nahenahe Norton-Tolentino 0, Alyssa Bettendorf 0, Allie Rudow 0, Christy Fell 0, Piikea Lono 0.
HBA .................. 10 ..... 10 ..... 17 ..... 16-53
Seabury Hall ..... 4 ........ 3 ....... 3 ....... 2-12
LAHAINALUNA 63, KAPAA 17
KAPAA (17)
Kekai Gonsalves 4, Raquelle Matayoshi 6, Ka'anoi Marshall 0, Reggie McCabe 2, Krystal Christian 1, Katalina Fifita 4.
LAHAINALUNA (63)
Haley Nakamura 1, Paige Casil 4, Jade Chihara 14, Taylor Bates 2, Amanda Matsuda 4, Loke Basques 6, Falau Hafoka 0, Lindsey Bates 4, Alisha Salem 4, Misha Whitehead 0, Ana Lauese 14, Petiola Tuakoi 1, Princess Pauuao 2, Moana Hafoka 2, Makana Kaaikaloa Caban 5.
Kapaa .................. 4 ....... 2 ..... 10 ........ 1-17
Lahainaluna ..... 18 ..... 23 ..... 10 ..... 12-63
KALAHEO 51, LANAI 23
KALAHEO (51)
Lindsey Unsell 7, Shauna Perry 2, Taylor Souza 8, Jayla Tamashiro 2, Tilani Pua'auli 4, Kelsey Sai 0, Wren Fukada 0, Kayla Ragland 7, Jade Martins 10, Gabby Clark 5, Rebekah Kahlbaum 6.
LANAI (23)
Dezsiree Dameg 6, Tyler Pascua 2, Nariza Badillo 2, Kahelelani Zablan 9, Chloe Szelag 3, Katlin Allas 0.
Kalaheo ..... 10 ..... 20 ..... 12 ..... 9-51
Lanai ............ 5 ........ 5 ....... 7 ..... 6-23
LAKE OSWEGO 69, MAUI HIGH 15
LAKE OSWEGO (69)
Marlee Chovich 3, Allie Binns 9, Libby Nelson 4, Stephanie Dorado 4, Kira Wall 6, Mariah Mendez-Oliver 0, Alexa Moiso 2, Paige Timberg 20, Laura Nichols 7, Amber Swane 8, Lindsay Shallman 4, Cassi Jarrel 2.
MAUI HIGH (15)
Liana Tanaka 5, Jordyn Vega 0, Tatiana Takara 0, Jo'voni Shimabukuro 1, Megan Malubay 0, Jamia Degala 4, Patricia Batoon 5, Ahlaynee Milliet 0.
Lake Oswego ..... 14 ..... 22 ..... 13 ..... 20-60
Maui High .............. 2 ....... 3 ....... 3 ........ 7-15
