Kamehameha Schools Maui’s Shanti Rae Visaya drives against Radford’s Ikena Eulit-Frank during the Warriors’ 37-36 loss to the Rams in a Division I state first-round game Monday afternoon at Kaulaheanuiokamoku Gym. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

PUKALANI — The Kamehameha Schools Maui girls basketball team returned to the Heide & Cook/HHSAA Division I state tournament for the first time since 2018 this season, but the Warriors’ stay in the event was short-lived.

A furious rally from 10 points down late in the third quarter fell one point short in a 37-36 loss to Radford on Monday in a first-round game at Kaulaheanuiokamoku Gym.

The Warriors had the ball down one point with 14.4 seconds to go and brought the ball up the floor, but the Rams played stifling defense, forcing a hurried shot by Shanti Rae Visaya that was blocked at the buzzer.

“I’m proud of my team, at least we got here,” KSM senior Kealoha Baricuatro said after starting the final game of her career. “I don’t know, we were hoping for better, a better outcome, but at least we got to play at home for our last game.”

The Warriors saw their season end with a 10-5 record and said goodbye to four seniors — Baricuatro, Visaya, Ha’akea Hueu, and Kailie Kalepa — but they leave with a strong foundation laid for the program.

Kamehameha Maui’s Haven De Silva drives for a second-quarter basket against Radford’s Kourtney Smith on Monday.

Taylor Schnitzer scored 14 points and Visaya had 13 points for the Warriors.

“Now that there’s less and less girls basketball players, this hopefully is motivation for younger girls to come out and fill in our spots,” Baricuatro said. “Hopefully they do good or better.”

Olena Umetsu sank a long 3 to give Radford a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Visaya made a 3 early in second quarter to tie it at 10-10.

Jirah Villanueva sank a mid-range jumpier to give the lead back to Radford 12-10 with 6:30 to go in the first half. Kamea Abreu scored inside to give the Warriors a 15-14 lead with 3:20 to go in the second quarter.

After the Rams trailed 17-16 at halftime, they outscored the Warriors 17-8 in the third quarter. Villanueva scored on a layup to push the Radford lead to 25-21 with 4:01 left in the third quarter.

The Warriors’ Kealoha Baricuatro releases a shot as Smith defends.

Lyla Matthews sank a corner 3 to give the Rams a 30-23 lead with less than 2 minutes left in the third. A minute later, Villanueva nailed a 3 to push the lead to 33-23 — the Rams led 33-25 going to the fourth quarter.

Visaya nailed a 3 to bring the Warriors within 33-28 with 7:17 to play, and moments later Schnitzer made two free throws to make it a three-point game.

With 6:11 to go, Schnitzer made one of two free throws to pull the Warriors within 33-31. Baricuatro fouled out with 5:45 to play, limiting a few of the KSM options down the stretch.

Buckets by Matthews and Ikena Eulit-Frank pushed Radford’s lead to 37-31 before Schintzer answered with 2:41 remaining.

Visaya scored and was fouled — she completed the three-point play with 2:05 to go to pull the Warriors within 37-36.

Kamehameha’s Taylor Schnitzer dribbles upcourt against Radford’s Olena Umetsu.

Neither team would score again.

Kamehameha Maui finished 12 of 40 from the floor (30 percent), 2 of 15 from 3-point range, and was 10 of 21 from the free-throw line.

“It was a tough game, both sides played hard,” Kamehameha Maui coach Lance De Silva said. “It is what we expected, I mean, totally expected. They hit a few more shots, we missed some easy layups. We missed some free throws, but like I tell the girls, the girls keep on hearing it, it is what it is.

“There’s bigger and better things in life. I told them they’re going to forget about this by next week.”

Radford lost in first-round games on Maui in 2020 to King Kekaulike and last season to Maui High. The Rams are now the first Oahu Interscholastic Association team to win in seven tries against the MIL runner-up in the first-round, Monday format that began in 2017.

Villanueva led Radford (11-3) with 13 points. The Rams shot 9 for 19 in the second half after going 7 for 22 in the first half. They out-rebounded the Warriors 31-24.

“We had to deal with a little bit of jitters, you know, state tournament,” Rams coach Charles Chong said. “We’ve got girls here who didn’t even play basketball last year. Fortunately we’ve got some seniors who have some composure, they have been here.

“And, boy, game of runs. You know, back and forth. Hand it to Kamehameha, they just kept coming at us, playing good defense, hitting shots, hitting free throws. In the end, I said: ‘Look, you’ve got 14 seconds to play your heart out.’ “

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

RADFORD (11-3)

Gwen Villaren 0, Olena Umetsu 3, Jirah Villanueva 13, Shanntay Stroman 4, Kourtney Smith 0, Julissa Bollinger 8, Camy Yanagi 0, Lyla Matthews 5, Ikena Eulit-Frank 4.

KAMEHAMEHA MAUI (10-5)

Kamea Abreu 5, Shanti Rae Visaya 13, Hailey Ryann Visaya 0, Haven De Silva 2, Taylor Schnitzer 14, Kealoha Baricuatro 2, Ava Akahi 0.

Radford106174–37

KS Maui710811–36

• GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

DIVISION I

Monday’s Results • First Round

Radford 37, Kamehameha Maui 36

Waiakea 61, Moanalua 44

Campbell 59, Mililani 26

Kamehameha Kapalama 75, Kailua 18

Wednesday’s Games • Quarterfinals

At McKinley

No. 1 Iolani vs. Campbell, 5 p.m.

No. 4 Lahainaluna vs. Waiakea, 7 p.m.

At Moanalua

No. 2 Konawaena vs. Radford, 5 p.m.

No. 3 Kahuku vs. Kamehameha Kapalama, 7 p.m.

DIVISION II

Today’s Games • First Round

At Kalani

Hawaii Prep vs. Hawaii Baptist, 3:30 p.m.

No. 5 Lanai vs. Hanalani, 5:30 p.m.

At Kaimuki

Farrington vs. Kohala, 5 p.m.

Molokai vs. Kapolei, 7 p.m.

Kamehameha Maui’s Haven De Silva drives for a second-quarter basket against Radford’s Kourtney Smith on Monday. The Warriors’ Kealoha Baricuatro releases a shot as Smith defends. Kamehameha Schools Maui’s Shanti Rae Visaya drives against Radford’s Ikena Eulit-Frank during the Warriors’ 37-36 loss to the Rams in a Division I state first-round game Monday afternoon at Kaulaheanuiokamoku Gym. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
Kamehameha’s Taylor Schnitzer dribbles upcourt against Radford’s Olena Umetsu.

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