FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Kamehameha's Brandon Dumlao looked to pass while being double-teamed by Iolani's Taylor Mounts, left, and Andrew Skalman during last night's game.

No. 5 Warriors surprise No. 1 Raiders

Minns makes a key steal and score late on his way to putting up 20 points in the Kamehameha victory

Pii Minns scored 20 points and came up with a steal for the go-ahead layup with 22 seconds left as fifth-ranked Kamehameha upset No. 1 Iolani 44-42 last night at Kekuhaupio Gym.

Minns finished with 20 points and seven rebounds as the Warriors overcame a big Iolani rally in the final minutes of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu contest.

"Coach (Jesse Nakanishi) said captains have to stay positive, to keep our heads up," the 6-foot-2 junior said. "When the opportunity presents itself, you gotta go for it."

Iolani, which trailed by nine with 4 minutes left, had two chances to tie or take the lead in the final seconds, but turned the ball over on both possessions.

After Minns' bucket, freshman Trevyn Tulonghari was trapped in the corner before making a tough pass to Lionel Fujioka under the basket. The ball squirted through his legs and was grabbed by Minns, who hit one of two foul shots with 5 seconds left for a 44-42 lead.

Iolani guard Bricen McCartney dribbled to midcourt and called timeout, but only 1 second ticked off the clock. Officials adjusted the clock to :03 during a time out, and on the inbounds play, Kela Marciel's pass into the corner intended for Taylor Mounts was intercepted by Auwae DeRego before time expired.

The win gave Kamehameha (3-1) new life in the ILH race. Iolani and Punahou are 4-1.

"We had so many opportunities to put them away, so many chances to finish," Nakanishi said. "I'm proud of the boys for not throwing in the towel. They grew up and gained some experience today. We're on our way."

Pablo Warner sparked Iolani's fourth-quarter rally with nine of his team-high 18 points.

Kamehameha had seized control with a 19-7 run. However, the Warriors generously gave Iolani opportunities by missing three one-and-one free-throw attempts down the stretch. With the Raiders trailing 37-29, Warner drove for a three-point play, and then hit a 3-point shot from the left corner.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM After making a steal, Kela Marciel of Iolani raced downcourt pursued by Chaz Bajet of Kamehameha.

A missed one-and-one by Warriors guard Brandon Dumlao and a missed putback by Blake Viena gave Iolani a chance to take the lead. Mounts scored his first points of the game by driving the baseline with 1:05 to go. Iolani led 42-41.

Kamehameha had only one team foul going into the final minute, but the Warriors got their hands on the ball often. Dumlao missed a 3-point try and DeRego missed a layup off a steal by Viena.

Mounts slipped on a wet spot after receiving an inbounds pass and was whistled for traveling with 32 seconds to go, but Kamehameha threw away its ensuing inbound pass. Minns was called for an intentional foul and Marciel went to the line with 28 seconds remaining.

Marciel missed both shots, and on Iolani's inbound pass by Fujioka, Minns swooped in and made the key play of the game.

Kamehameha shot just 36 percent from the field (18-for-50), but had 14 offensive boards and only seven turnovers. DeRego, who suffered a shoulder injury in a loss at Saint Louis last week, finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Viena corralled six boards and Damien Teramae-Kaehuaea added five caroms as the Warriors claimed a 32-24 edge in rebounding.

Minns added seven boards of his own and shot 8-for-12 from the field, but his height and handles were key factors in withstanding Iolani's 1-3-1 zone traps.

Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi was less than pleased with his team's effort.

"It was a great effort by (Kamehameha). They outhustled us in every aspect of the game," he said. "We were really bad. We lost every battle for a loose ball."

Iolani's sharpshooters worked hard to find openings against the Warriors' swarming 2-3 matchup zone and shot 7-for-18 from 3-point range. The Raiders struggled from the field overall, though, at 36 percent (15-for-41).

The Warriors won't have much time to celebrate. They host No. 9 Maryknoll tonight.

Iolani travels to No. 10 Mid-Pacific tomorrow.