In the face of danger, they did not yield to fear.
Instead, second-ranked Punahou rallied from a 22-point deficit to edge No. 7 Saint Louis 55-52 last night before a raucous crowd of about 1,500 at McCabe Gym.
Kameron Steinhoff scored 16 points, Dalton Hilliard had 10 and Manti Te'o had five clutch points in the final quarter for Punahou. The Buffanblu improved to 2-1 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play (12-2 overall) and stayed one step behind front-runner Iolani.
Micah McClinton scored 18 points to pace Saint Louis, which is now 0-2 in league play (4-5 overall).
The comeback by Punahou may have been the biggest in school history.
"At least from what I can remember," said coach Dan Hale, who played on three state title teams in the 1980s.
Punahou never showed signs of wilting, partly because they rallied from a big deficit against Benson (Ore.) in a tournament game three weeks ago.
"Saint Louis was lighting up 3s back to back to back," Steinhoff said. "But we never back out of any situation."
Down 41-19 early in the third quarter, Punahou used its 1-3-1 fullcourt press to wear down the hot-shooting Crusaders. Saint Louis committed four turnovers in the third and Hilliard sparked the turnaround with a steal for a three-point play on a breakaway, and an NBA-range 3-pointer.
"The key is they never know what we'll do, trap or drop down," Hilliard said.
That 12-0 run brought Punahou within 41-31, and they closed the gap to 45-38 after reserve guard Sean McFadden hit his second pull-up jumper of the quarter.
The Crusaders kept the Buffanblu at bay deep into the fourth quarter. The visitors tied the game at 47 and 49, and Saint Louis had a 50-49 lead with 2:57 left after McClinton hit a free throw for his only point of the second half.
However, Te'o hustled after his own miss for a putback and a 51-50 Punahou lead -- the Buffanblu's first lead of the game -- with 1:44 remaining.
"That was a big relief. We kept looking up at the scoreboard and we were stuck at three points down for a long time," said Te'o, who had a team-high nine rebounds.
After Cole Shidaki missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Punahou spread the floor and worked time off before Hilliard sliced through the middle for a hanging layup. The Buffanblu led 53-50 with 46 seconds left.
Saint Louis got a follow shot by Michael Tuiloma with 16 seconds left, but his ensuing free-throw attempt for a three-point play was long and Te'o tipped the ball out to Robbie Toma.
Toma hit one of his two free throws to give Punahou a 54-52 lead with 14 seconds to go.
Crusaders forward Jamison Miller had a chance to tie the score, but missed a tough low-post turnaround bank shot and Trevor Crabb rebounded for Punahou. He made his first foul shot for a 55-52 lead with 3 seconds left, and then missed the second and fouled the rebounder, McClinton.
McClinton went to the line with 2.3 seconds left and missed the first try, and then the second. Te'o rebounded and time expired.
It was a heartbreaking end for Crusader fans. Coming off a loss to Maryknoll, Saint Louis was on fire in the first half. McClinton scored 17 before intermission, including three 3s. The Crusaders shot 6-for-8 from downtown and led 40-19 at halftime.
"It shows we can play with the best toe to toe," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said. "If we clean up a few things, we can get there. Our guys took it tough. They played hard, but they didn't play smart at times. We played good defense for three quarters."
Punahou had just one offensive rebound in three quarters, but hustled for four in the final quarter. The Buffanblu shot 49 percent from the field (23-for-47). Saint Louis shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, but finished 18-for-42 (43 percent).
At McCabe gym
| Punahou (2-1) |
9 |
10 |
19 |
17 |
-- |
55
|
| Saint Louis (0-2) |
20 |
20 |
5 |
7 |
-- |
52 |
PUNAHOU--Dalton Hilliard 10, Robbie Toma 5, Matt Feldman 0, Sean McFadden 6, Shane Yoshiyama 2, Henry Cassiday 4, Kimo Makaula 0, Manti Te'o 6, Kameron Steinhoff 16, Trevor Crabb 6.
SAINT LOUIS--Lucas Gonsalves 6, Micah McClinton 18, Dean Viena 7, Kyle Gonzaga 0, Cole Shidaki 5, Marcus Umu 4, Michael Tuiloma 3, Jamison Miller 7, Moses Samia 2.
3-point goals--Punahou 1 (Hilliard), Saint Louis 6 (McClinton 3, Gonsalves 2, Viena).
No. 1 Iolani 49, No. 6 Mid-Pacific 37
Taylor Mounts scored 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half to lead the top-ranked Raiders over the Owls.
At Iolani H.S. gym
| Mid-Pacific (0-2) |
8 |
8 |
12 |
9 |
-- |
37
|
| Iolani (3-0) |
9 |
14 |
11 |
15 |
-- |
49 |
MID-PACIFIC -- Sampson Won 4, Ryan Kurihara 6, Jaime Rivera 6, Marcus Holyfield13, Devon Takenaka 8, Cameron Roberts 0, Sililo Pale 0, Jonathan Taniguchi 0, Shane Kurihara 0.
IOLANI -- Kela Marciel 4, Andrew Skalman 1, Nick Christman 0, Trevyn Tulonghari 2, Sheldon Lee 0, Lionel Fujioka 7, Berton Wong 0, Brandon Ball 0, Bricen McCartney 3, Pablo Warner 12, Kainoa Scheer 0, Taylor Mounts 17, Jarrett Arakawa 3.
3-point goals -- Mid-Pacific 5 (Kurihara 2, Takenaka 2, Holyfield), Iolani 3 (Fujioka, McCartney, Warner).
No. 8 Maryknoll 61, Damien 57
Richard Herring poured in 20 points to lead the Spartans over the Monarchs.
At Damien H.S. gym
| Maryknoll (2-1) |
15 |
15 |
15 |
16 |
-- |
61
|
| Damien (0-3) |
16 |
15 |
7 |
19 |
-- |
57 |
MARYKNOLL--Kent Kawahara 0, Brian Saxcon 0, Tyler Terai 9, Scott Kamimura 0, Garrick Chock 10, Christian Bueno-Kanei 4, Javen Correia 7 Dillon Keney 0, Shelby Nakakura 0, Rian Huizingh 0, Micah Kalepa 6,richard herring 20, Jordan Napolon 3, ross lum 2.
DAMIEN--Nikko Romuar 4, Drey Dutro 7, Tim Smith 2 , Anthony Tuitele 12 , Kaiakoili Lima 19 , Nick Cerny 0 , Aminis Thompson 8, Austin Dawson 5 , Michael Memea 01 .
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 2 (Chock, Herring), Damien 5 (Dutro 2, Tuitele 2, Lima)
ILH BOYS DIVISION II
Hanalani 62, Lutheran 35
P.J. Minaya's 15 points led the Eagles over the Lions.
At Hanalani H.S. gym
| Lutheran (0-2) |
10 |
7 |
6 |
12 |
-- |
35
|
| Hanalani (2-0) |
17 |
20 |
16 |
9 |
-- |
62 |
LUTHERAN -- J. Perry-Cruz 4, R. Nip 3, M. Abang 9, K. Keliiaa 7, S. Takahashi 2, D. Cho 4, R. Gander 4, B. Hagihara 2.
HANALANI -- A. Kutaka 8, D. Kamealoha 9, P. Minaya 15, M. Simbre 4, M. Guerrero 2, B. Honda 4, B. Kido 1, J. Mentor 0, A. Rattanasamay 2, H. Hoe 0, T. Simao 13, J. Thomas 2, J. Cunningham 2.
3-point goals -- Lutheran none, Hanalani 2 (Kamealoha, Minaya).
OIA RED EAST
Castle 58, Kaimuki 57
Nick Tuamoheloa scored 12 points and the Knights sank eight 3-pointers to edge the Bulldogs.
At Castle H.S. gym
| Kaimuki (2-2) |
21 |
6 |
16 |
|
14 -- |
57
|
| Castle (2-2) |
13 |
19 |
9 |
|
17 -- |
58 |
KAIMUKI-- Gabe Stietzel 3, Chezz Ramos-Dias 7, Desmond Tautofi 10, David Taulung 14, Duke Okudara 4, Chauncey Nikola 0, Ryan Kakitani 16, Kelly Tobin 3.
CASTLE--Nick Tuamoheloa 12, Layne Kihara 5, Vernon Mitchell 5, Malani Lum 6, Michael Santos 5, Marcus Ofoia 0, Isaiah Tilton 9, Kevin Aipia 10, Shayne Carvalho 2, Nick Cabunoc 4.
3-point goals--Kaimuki 4 (Kakitani 2, Ramos-Dias, Stietzel), Castle 8 (Tilton 3, M. Lum 2, Kihara, Tuamoheloa, Santos).
Junior varsity--Kaimuki 44, Castle 33
Kahuku 63, Kailua 56
Jray Galeai's 19 points led the Red Raiders over the Surfriders.
At Kailua H.S. gym
| Kahuku (3-0) |
9 |
22 |
19 |
13 |
-- |
63
|
| Kailua (0-3) |
16 |
13 |
16 |
11 |
-- |
56 |
KAHUKU -- Jray Galeai 19, Jack Damuni 16, Mikeli Damuni 0, Willie Ching 7, Irwin Ah-Hoy 8, Kohl Nauahi 0, Justin Afalava 2, Alola Tonga 11.
KAILUA -- Jackie Uemoto 16, Billy Oden 3, Bubu Naki 9, Kenny Ellis 17, Mike Flynn 3, Kaimi Sarkissian 8, Nick Raymond 0, Chauncy Makainai 0.
3-point goals -- Kahuku 5 (J. Damuni 3, Galeai, Ah-Hoy), Kailua 2 (Naki, Oden).
Junior varsity -- Kahuku 64, Kailua 29
Moanalua 60, Roosevelt 41
Stevie Austin had 15 points to lead Na Menehune past the Rough Riders.
At Moanalua H.S. gym
| Roosevelt (0-4) |
7 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
-- |
41
|
| Moanalua (2-1) |
14 |
18 |
18 |
10 |
-- |
60 |
MOANALUA -- Josiah Kauhola 3, Reece Racoma , Randy Starks 3 , Shane Aquino 0 , Stevie Austin 15, Josh Kure 14 , Marcus Monroe 10, Shawn Richey 6 , Eric Quinn 1, Richard Villasenor 5, Maurice Allen 3.
ROOSEVELT -- Jason Nutter 7 , Lowen Kaho'oilihala 3 , Matthew Kualii-Moe 11, Lowen Furuta-Harada 0, Kainoa Gaspar 1 , Rylan Ikehara 0 , T.J. Armstead 0 , Chaz Francisco 2 , Reid Oshiro 1 , Kona Hewlen 0, Keoki Schuman 0 , Ethan Williams 12 , Asten Koki 2, Kaipo Pale 2.
3-point goals -- Roosevelt 3 (Kaho'oilihala, Kualii-Moe , Nutter ), Moanalua 1( Kauhola).
Junior varsity -- Roosevelt 54, Moanalua 51
oia red west
Kapolei 60, Radford 40
Keanu Montez and D'shaun Dubois each had 14 points to lead the Hurricanes past the Rams.
At Radford H.S. gym
| Kapolei (3-1) |
14 |
14 |
13 |
19 |
-- |
60
|
| Radford (0-3) |
5 |
6 |
15 |
14 |
-- |
40 |
KAPOLEI-- Pomai Mero 2 , Keanu Montez 14, Darius Richardson 4 , Joshua Reed 0, Lesean Standfield 0, D'shaun Dubois 14, Magic Halmos 6, Nate Dixon 7 , Jordan Ferreira 2, Randall Daneils 0, Mason Koa 6 , Pookela McKeague 0, Lawrence Olive 5 .
RADFORD--Andre Brown 3, Jared Victorino 0, Joash Pantilinan 0, Billy Johnson 0, Jon Combis 2 , Derell Lee 4, Jared Brown 5, Quentin Kimura 0, Shawn Putman 8 , Omar Caldwell 4 , Brad Osbourne 9, Marcus Malepeai 0, Tony Reid 5 .
3-point goals--Kapolei 4 (Montez 2, Dubois, Dixon), Radford 1 (Reid).
Junior varsity--Radford 36, Kapolei 28
Campbell 48, Pearl City 45
Michael Makinano scored 18 points to lead the Sabers over the Chargers.
At Pearl City H.S. gym
| Campbell (2-2) |
8 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
-- |
48
|
| Pearl City (2-2) |
9 |
12 |
7 |
17 |
-- |
45 |
CAMPBELL -- Michael Makinano 18, Joseph Atimua 3, Terence Tafai 1, Zachary Manuel 8, Nicholas Daniels 8, Danny Mau 0, Christian Storment 6, Razi White 4.
PEARL CITY -- Karlo Rarangol 11, Kawika Borden 14, Troy Antoque 2, Antoin DeWalt 0, Allen Agni 3, Micah Choy 0, Johnson Chao 13, Kellan Oshiro 2, Kalei Mitchell 0, Skye Kaapuni 0.
3-point goals -- Campbell 1 (Makinano), Pearl City 2 (Chao, Rarangol).
Junior varsity -- Campbell 54, Pearl City 43
Waianae 36, Mililani 72
Nehoa Akina's 17 points and five 3-pointers led the Trojans over the Seariders.
At Mililani H.S. gym
| Waianae (0-3) |
9 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
-- |
36
|
| Mililani (2-1) |
13 |
18 |
21 |
20 |
-- |
72 |
WAIANAE--Jarred Burns 12, Jamerson Smith 9, Bryson Kekahuna 10, Abdullah Morris 2, Shawn Asberry 1, Paki Garcia 2.
MILILANI--Nehoa Akina 17, Nick DeMusis 10, Devin Castellano-Chock 2, Cody kilthau 2, Moshi Mabry 2, Curtis Murakami 7, Scott Burns 5, Aaron Lenchanko 3 , Jon Keen 13, Reid Pangelinan 11.
3-point goals--Waianae 1 (Smith), Mililani 7 ( Akina 5, Lenchanko, Murakami).
Junior varsity--Mililani 54, Waianae 46
oia white
McKinley 62, Waialua 35
Tavita Woodard had a game-high 16 points to lead the Tigers past the Bulldogs.
At McKinley H.S. gym
| Waialua (2-3) |
6 |
7 |
5 |
17 |
-- |
35
|
| McKinley (3-1) |
14 |
16 |
19 |
13 |
-- |
62 |
WAIALUA--Micah Hatchie 0, Vance Maluyo 3, Kanale Tashiro 2, Marnick Dela Cruz 10, Matthew Manalo 7, Saray Sok 0, Donovan Mata 11, Graham Rowley 2.
MCKINLEY--Julius Borje 0, Kaleo Ponce 5, J.T. Thabiti 10, Moku Spencer 2, Earvin Sione 10, Tavita Woodard 16, Marshall Miyasaka 0, Tana Woodard 15, Tae Lee 4.
3-point goals --Waialua 1 (Dela Cruz), McKinley 3 (Thabiti 2, Ponce 1).
Junior varsity--Waialua 41, McKinley 59
Kaiser 75, Anuenue 38
Kalua Noa hit for 21 points to lead the Cougars over Na Koa.
At Kaiser H.S. gym
| Anuenue (1-5) |
8 |
10 |
4 |
16 |
-- |
38
|
| Kaiser (4-2) |
13 |
31 |
22 |
9 |
-- |
75 |
ANUENUE -- Ikaika Gante 0, Kekoa Sitarek 4, Kelii Kon 9, Aina Kelii-Supnet 8, Makamai Otani-Wengler 0, Kaiponohea Preston 15, Kamaki Sherman 0, Kanani Armitage 2.
KAISER -- Jaymes Kawashima 6, Landon Tamanaha 2, Jonathan Lau 5, Mychal Nagata 0, Kalua Noa 21, Ryan Chong 6, Brannon Wong 11, Jeffrey Gordon 5, Devin Wolfe 2, Keola Hunt 2, Kainoa Pa 3, Zachary Wong 2, Salele Aliifua 10.
3-point goals -- Anuenue 1 (Kon), Kaiser 2 (Chong).
Aiea 71, Nanakuli 37
Josh Chung scored 21 points and Obie Woods added 20 and 11 rebounds as Na Alii downed the Golden Hawks.
At Aiea H.S. gym
| Nanakuli (2-3) |
8 |
1 |
26 |
11 |
-- |
37
|
| Aiea (4-0) |
7 |
20 |
25 |
19 |
-- |
71 |
NANAKULI -- Nalu Garcia 0, Nilo Paulo , Jerson Bacalso 6, Arnold Kidder 2, Jacob Gisa 2, Tyrone Cross 6, Micah Siuli , Tommy Toiva 1, Markus Albarico 5, Fo Agutonu 2, Lui Teo 6, Kenika Kaimi 0, Kalei Kea 7, Ben Weiss 0.
AIEA -- Kory Naeole 6, Keaton Miyashiro 4, Daniel Liilii 4, Dalton Alcantara 0, Keenan Naeole 3, Darryl Fong 4, Jarred McKee 2, Jarrett Vea 0, Josh Chung 21, Latupou Faumuina 0, David Savaitasi 0, James Buchanan 0, Aldodius Colquitt 5, Obie Woods 20, Zack Hannemann 2.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli none, Aiea 7 (Woods 3, Chung 2, Keenan Naeole, Kory Naeole).
Junior varsity -- Aiea 49, Nanakuli 46
ILH Girls
No. 1 Punahou 60 , Sacred Hearts 36
Shawna-Lei Kuehu's 16 points led the Buffanblu over the Lancers.
At Sacred Hearts Academy gym
| Punahou (6-0) |
22 |
8 |
16 |
14 |
-- |
60
|
| Sacred Hearts (0-5) |
9 |
11 |
3 |
13 |
-- |
36 |
PUNAHOU -- Rebecca Lau 5, Brittnie Lau 2, Julianne Nomura 3, Dara Tompkinson 4, Anna Merrifield 5, Shawna-Lei Kuehu 16, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 12, Ashley Satterwhite 2, Tressa Torres 4, Janet Li 1, Jenny Ching 5, Julia Brand 0, Kysa Ludviksen 1.
SACRED HEARTS -- Kapo Lupenui 0, Rayna Munos 4, Ronalyn Timbreza 0, Kamri Lin 4, Morgan Donohue 0, Ashley Ordenstein 1, Maya Clark 3, Lindsey Bareng 3, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 11, Charnelle Pires 3, Kuhina Luis 7, Naihe Paikai 0, Noel Soma 0.
3-point goals -- Punahou none, Sacred Hearts 2 (Clark, Pires).
No. 2 Iolani 47, No. 6 Kamehameha 34
Chanel Hirata drained six 3-pointers en route to 19 points as the Raiders downed the Warriors.
At Iolani H.S. gym
| Kamehameha (2-3) |
5 |
0 |
13 |
16 |
-- |
34
|
| Iolani (4-1) |
14 |
16 |
4 |
13 |
-- |
47 |
KAMEHAMEHA -- Alexis Furtado 7, Pomai Kalakau 0, Shaleese Javillo 8, Lindsey Wong 7, Tiana Abbley 0, Rhani Kaneaiakala 4, Kirsten-Marie Liana 0, Kylle Roy 5, Casey Lum 3.
IOLANI -- Tami Konishi 0, Kylie Ahlo 5, Lahela Usui 0, Lori Yamashita 0, Chanel Hirata 19, Dayna Jandoc 5, Jamie Smith 15, Raechele Takara 0, Shauni Watanabe 1, Hailey Maeda 2.
3-point goals -- Kamehameha 2 (Furtado, Wong), Iolani 10 (Hirata 6, Smith 2, Ahlo, Jandoc).
Also
Division II
Iolani 54, Kamehameha 46
