The inner fire of Punahou cannot be quenched in this water-based sport.
Just look at Buffanblu coach Ken Smith, the 72-year-old who was a relatively young man (61) when this run of state water polo championships began in 2008. Smith nimbly leaped into the Kamehameha pool Saturday night with a push-assist from his players after they made it 12 straight for the program —— and 14 out of 16 since the Stanford Carr Development/HHSAA competition began — with an 11-3 win over the Warriors.
“It’s still there,” Smith said of his passion for coaching. “And it’s because of them (the players). If they didn’t have the passion, I would’ve got out of this thing. But they bring it and they help fuel mine.”
>> CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE GAME
The annual Punahou pool toss.@HawaiiPrepWorld @RobDeMelloKHON pic.twitter.com/diTJkXn6iO
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) May 5, 2019
Junior Christina Hicks, the tournament’s most outstanding player, scored 13 goals over three matches — five on Saturday. Thirteen is what she and her cohorts will shoot for next season. Punahou returns 17 of 19 on its roster.
The all-tournament team:
#3 Josie Mobley, Punahou
#4 Dillyn Lietzke, Punahou
#11 Shaye Story, Kamehameha
#19 Emma Kim, Kamehameha
#16 Erin Patterson, Kaiser
#16 Kaya Lee, Punahou
Goalkeeper: #1 Sarah Perez, Punahou
Most Outstanding Player: #2 Christina Hicks, Punahou
Punahou junior Christina Hicks scored five goals against Kamehameha in the @HHSAAsports water polo championship.
She’ll be part of a strong contingent coming back next year looking to make it 13 titles in a row.@HawaiiPrepWorld pic.twitter.com/l7qlEcUltq
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) May 5, 2019
Hicks rightfully commanded plenty of attention, which helped set up her teammates. Victoria Gacutan scored twice and Josie Mobley, Sierra Smart, Mallory Meister and Dillyn Lietzke added goals.
A six-goal second quarter allowed the Buffanblu to separate as they’ve done so many times over this run.
Christina Hicks gets a steal and passes to teammate Dillyn Lietzke for a 10-2 Punahou lead in the fourth.@HawaiiPrepWorld pic.twitter.com/dc0Pnn8wru
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) May 5, 2019
Sarah Perez, the senior goalkeeper who was 3-for-3 in stopping penalty shots Saturday, sees no stop in the underclassmen.
“They’re hard workers. They have everything, the motivation, the passion, everything they want to achieve in the next 13 years, hopefully next year,” Perez said. “They’re going to be completely fine. They’ve got it.”
As for Kamehameha, first-year Warriors coach Anthony Cabrera loses some great players but will have a junior-to-be to build around in Shaye Story.
“We have Shaye coming back, and that’s a great centerpiece to work around,” Cabrera said. “Got some good defenders coming back. Gotta improve a little bit on the offensive side, especially our perimeter shooting. But I’m excited. I’m ready to get back to work, get back in the pool for the summer.”
Punahou defeats Kamehameha 11-3 for the Buffanblu’s 12th straight @HHSAAsports water polo championship. @HawaiiPrepWorld pic.twitter.com/dXQsL0tLqC
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) May 5, 2019
A few more photos:
Punahou’s Christina Hicks tossed a goal past the attempted block from Kamehameha’s Emma Kim. / Photo by Steven Erler, Special to the Star-Advertiser
| Match # | Date | Matchup | Time/Scores | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 29 | King Kekaulike vs. Roosevelt | Roos, 9-2 | Kihei |
| 2 | April 29 | Kahuku vs. Leilehua | Kah, 6-2 | Kamehameha |
| 3 | April 29 | Hawaii Prep vs. Moanalua | HPA, 5-4 | Kamehameha-Hawaii |
| 4 | April 29 | Kamehameha vs. Kapolei | KSK, 14-2 | Kamehameha |
| 5 | May 2 | (4) KS-Hawaii vs. Kahuku | KSH, 9-8 | Kamehameha |
| 6 | May 2 | (3) Baldwin vs. Kamehameha | KSK, 12-8 | Kamehameha |
| 7 | May 2 | (2) Kaiser vs. Hawaii Prep | Kais, 9-3 | Kamehameha |
| 8 | May 2 | (1) Punahou vs. Roosevelt | Pun, 15-5 | Kamehameha |
| 9* | May 3 | Baldwin vs. Hawaii Prep | HPA, 7-3 | Kamehameha |
| 10* | May 3 | Kahuku vs. Roosevelt | Roos, 7-4 | Kamehameha |
| 11 | May 3 | Kamehameha vs. Kaiser | KSK, 9-4 | Kamehameha |
| 12 | May 3 | KS-Hawaii vs. Punahou | Pun, 18-4 | Kamehameha |
| 13* | May 4 | Hawaii Prep vs. Roosevelt | Roos, 6-4 | Kamehameha |
| 14* | May 4 | Kaiser vs. KS-Hawaii | Kais, 10-5 | Kamehameha |
| 15 | May 4 | Kamehameha vs. Punahou | Pun, 11-3 | Kamehameha |
| * — consolation | ||||
COMMENTS