Micah Christenson scored 14 points, including four of his team's nine treys, as Kamehameha overpowered Punahou 64-51 last night to capture the James Alegre Invitational championship.

Christenson, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, was especially tough from his favorite spot in the right corner. Reserve guard Shane Matayoshi scored 10 points and Brandon Dumlao added nine for the Warriors (3-0).

“;Micah's got it all mentally, athletically and physically,”; Warriors coach Jesse Nakanishi said.

Kamehameha shot 45 percent from the arc (9-for-20).

“;Hat's off to Kamehameha. They shot unbelievable,”; Punahou coach Dan Hale said.

Henry Cassiday led Punahou (2-1) with 15 points and five steals. Kai Gaddis added 12 points.

It was a confidence-building weekend for Kamehameha, which beat Moanalua and Radford in earlier tourney games. Punahou, the defending state champion, played without key starters because of the All-Star Football Classic. That's why Nakanishi winced at the thought of being considered a better team than Punahou, at least for now.

“;That's unfair. Punahou's not at full strength. They're the defending champs, the team to beat. And 'Iolani is a perennial power in the ILH,”; he said. “;But I guarantee you we'll be competitive.”;

With crisp ball movement, unselfish play and a willingness to battle on the boards and dive for every loose ball, Kamehameha looked in midseason form.

Punahou jumped to a 13-7 lead before Kamehameha whittled away. With 6-3 Pii Minns at the top of a halfcourt trap, the Warriors changed the tempo and went on an 18-4 run. Kamehameha led 30-22 at halftime.

The Buffanblu pulled within 41-36 after 6-5 freshman Deforest Buckner scored five points in a row, but they got no closer. Kamehameha opened the fourth quarter with a 12-3 run, including back-to-back treys by Christenson.

“;We've got a lot of guys who haven't played at this level. This gave us a chance to get them experience,”; Hale said.

Hale noted Kamehameha's bench. Nakanishi often subbed five at a time.

“;They're very good and very deep. There's no drop-off,”; Hale said.

Kamehameha's pressure defense forced 18 turnovers.

“;Our goal is controlled chaos. It's not easy, but it's fun,”; Nakanishi said.

Honokaa took third place with a 62-56 overtime win over host Radford. Shelton Kalilikane led the Dragons with 18 points, including a key 3-pointer in the extra period. Christopher Gambill added 11 points, with three treys, and Micah Dunhour scored 10.

Derrell Lee paced Radford with 15 points. Aldrin Valdez added 12 and Jared Victorino tallied 10.

Moanalua defeated Kailua 51-46 in the fifth-place game behind Marcus Monroe's 11 points and 10 from Randy Starks. Dylan Miller led Kailua with 14 points.

Maryknoll downed Leilehua 61-51 in the seventh-place contest. Paul Gorton (12 points) and Xavier Ager (10) led the Mules.

Tyler Terai had 17 points and Jacob Mayer scored 16 for the Spartans.