HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Iolani's Kela Marciel took a shot against Kanoa Makiao of Kamehameha last night.
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Iolani wins sixth crown in row
Life, like basketball, is about simple rules.
Like practicing your free throws.
Iolani apparently has followed that rule this season. The Raiders scored all 20 of their fourth-quarter points from the foul line in a 43-34 win over Kamehameha last night for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship.
It is the sixth consecutive ILH title for Iolani, winner of the last four state championships.
A crowd of 1,400 at Mid-Pacific Institute gym saw Iolani win the game that was necessitated by a regular-season-ending tie. They saw the Raiders go 20-for-26 from the stripe in the final 8 minutes to break open a close game.
The Raiders led 23-22 when their free-throw festival began. Ryan Dung swished a pair of charity shots, followed by four consecutive free throws by Vinny Nip. After Kekai Kealoha hit two more foul shots, Iolani had made eight in a row and led 31-22 with 2:32 left.
Kamehameha went 5 minutes without scoring before Jacob Ho made two of his three free-throw tries to bring the Warriors within 32-24 with 2 minutes remaining.
However, the Raiders made four more free throws to take their biggest lead, 36-24, with 1:23 to go.
Andrew Godinet scored the next eight points for Kamehameha, including a pair of 3s, but his team got no closer than eight the rest of the way.
Kawika Shoji led Iolani (20-8, 11-2 ILH) with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. He sank six foul shots in the final stanza.
"It feels great. All the hard work we put in, all the ups and downs," the 6-foot-4 senior said. "It was a tough battle. Shots weren't falling, but we played good defense."
Freshman Liloa Nobriga increased his defensive contribution with starter Jon Takamura out (illness). Nobriga scored seven points, but his three blocks helped Iolani control the paint.
In all, the Raiders outrebounded the Warriors 26-16. Iolani shot 10-for-30 from the field -- a testament to Kamehameha's man-to-man and 2-3 zone defenses. But Iolani committed just nine turnovers against the Warriors' fullcourt press. The Raiders finished 21-for-29 from the line (72 percent).
"I'm happy for the kids. They put a lot of effort into this. We had to work hard for this championship," Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi said.
Kamehameha (19-5, 10-3) shot 28 percent from the field (11-for-39), including 2-for-16 accuracy from the arc. The Warriors tried only 10 free throws and made seven.
Godinet scored 10 of his 12 points in the final quarter to pace Kamehameha.
"Their excellent defense took us out of our offense. I need to get us in better position to get shots," Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "We got outcoached and outplayed. That's why they're ILH champions: They execute, they have discipline and make good decisions."
At Mid-Pacific Institute gym
| Iolani (11-2) |
7 |
7 |
9 |
20 |
-- |
43
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| Kamehameha (10-3) |
6 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
-- |
34 |
IOLANI--Kela Marciel 0, Vinny Nip 7, Barry Kang 2, Ryan Dung 5, Case Miyahira 3, Taylor Mounts 0, Kekai Kealoha 3, Kawika Shoji 10, Berton Wong 0, Brandon Ball 0, Liloa Nobriga 6, Blayne Yama 0, Wally Marciel 7, Kiran Kepo'o 0.
KAMEHAMEHA--Randy Cummings 0, Jesse Moniz 4, Brandon Ahlo 0, Andrew Godinet 12, Mitchell Kauweloa 2, Jacob Ho 6, Pono Hanson 0, Rykin Enos 8, Conrad Scheidt 0, Jay Kauka 0, Kanoa Mokiao 0, Kea Smith 2.
3-point goals--Kamehameha 3 (Godinet 2, Enos).
ILH Third-place tournament
No. 4 Punahou 49, No. 9 Maryknoll 43
Spencer McLachlin posted a team-high 14 points as the Buffanblu got past the Spartans.
Miah Ostrowski added 12 points to help the Buffanblu advance to today's third-place game against Saint Louis at 6:30 p.m. at McCabe Gym. The winner earns the ILH's third and final berth into the upcoming HHSAA state tournament.
Tyler Tsukazaki carried the Spartans with a game-high 23 points.
At Hemmeter Fieldhouse
| Maryknoll (5-9) |
12 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
-- |
43 |
| Punahou (9-4) |
14 |
7 |
15 |
13 |
-- |
49 |
MARYKNOLL--Tyler Tsukazaki 23, Chris Hsia 3, Tommy Nguyen 1, Travis Liu 0, Zachary Misajon 2, Jordan Ho-Ching 6, Richard Herring 8, Ross Lum 0.
PUNAHOU--Trenton Zane 2, Miah Ostrowski 12, Daniel Cho 4, Brandon Kapana 2, Kyle Whitford 0, Kimo Makaula 2, Freddy Hart 0, Kameron Steinhoff 5, Ted Hawkins 0, Spencer McLachlin 14, Kealii Frank 8.
3-point goals--Maryknoll 4 (Tsukazaki 2, Hsia, Herring). Punahou 3 (Ostrowski 2, McLachlin).
No. 3 Saint Louis 67, Damien 32
Jeremiah Masoli scored a game-high 15 points, while Scott Smith added 10 as the Crusaders defeated the Monarchs.
The Crusaders decided the game early as they led 37-13 at halftime.
At McCabe Gym
| Damien (2-12) |
8 |
5 |
5 |
14 |
-- |
32
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| St. Louis (9-4) |
19 |
18 |
16 |
14 |
-- |
67 |
DAMIEN--Nikko Romuar 3, Sheldon Bailey 2, Winnie Gapuz 7, Matt Gochenouer 9, Antonio Cerezo 1, Aminis Thompson 0, Haku Correa 0, Kenneth Rossi 2, Michael Sipili 3, Lolomana Mikaele 3, Sione Tau 0, Christian Vasconcellos 2.
SAINT LOUIS--Ricksson Pacarro 0, Kulia Aiona 5, John Quindara 9, Kawika Kekuawela 6, Scott Smith 10, Cameron Bayne 7, Joshua Yuen 0, Cole Shidaki 4, Solomona Aigamaua 2, Kalua Noa 2, Jeremiah Masoli 15, Elliott Purcell 2, Jacob Barit 5.
3 point goals--Damien 3 (Romuar, Gochenouer, Mikaele). Saint Louis 2 (Bayne, Masoli).
