Thursday, December 20, 2001
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Mustangs fend off Kalaheo's reward for beating Kealakehe last night in the first round of the Iolani Classic is a date with the 14th-ranked team in the country.
Waveriders
Kalaheo advances in the Iolani
Classic to meet No. 14 MontroseBy Star-Bulletin staff
Kalaheo and Montrose, Md., meet in the quarterfinals tonight at 8 at Iolani's gym.
Senior Ikaika Alama-Francis scored 20 points last night in the Mustangs' 56-46 win over the Waveriders. Alama-Francis, the tallest player on the team at 6-foot-6, showed his range by drilling four 3-pointers.
Justin Pedrina, another senior, added nine points for Kalaheo, which trailed 17-15 after the first quarter.
The Mustangs rebounded to outscore the Waveriders 13-10 in the second period to take a 28-27 halftime lead.
Kalaheo, which missed last year's Iolani Classic to travel to Las Vegas for the Holiday Prep Classic, is 10-0 with two preseason tournament titles already under its belt.
"(The Iolani Classic) is a great opportunity for us," Kalaheo coach Pete Smith said. "The kids get an opportunity to play against guys who will be going to major universities.
"It's going to help us later on," he said.
Senior D.C. Daniels -- the Star-Bulletin co-player of the year last season -- did not suit up last night because of an ankle sprain he suffered in a tournament in Hilo last week. Smith said he is day-to-day.
Smith said it was a good opportunity for his younger players to get some playing time.
Also last night, Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) routed Farrington 88-51, Fairfax (Los Angeles) whipped Roosevelt 90-50 and Garfield (Seattle) beat Aiea 77-48.
Tyrese McDaniel paced Clovis West with 20 points and Nick Debban added 17. Uriah led Farrington with 15 points.
Five Fairfax players reached double figures against Roosevelt, with Jashua Bluntt the high man at 18 points. Bryson Borges had 15 points for the Rough Riders.
Garfield got 23 points from Marcelus Kemp and 22 from Brandon Roy, who converted all six of his free-throw attempts. Lamont Williams paced Aiea with 18 points.
Today, Wilson Florence (S.C.) meets Garfield at 3:30 p.m. in the first championship bracket quarterfinal. Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) and Clovis West play at 5 p.m., Iolani plays Fairfax at 6:30 p.m. before Montrose and Kalaheo play the late game.
The tournament continues through Saturday.
No Hawaii team has ever won the tournament championship.