For eight minutes, the ‘Iolani Raiders were in a fog.
After that, the defending state champions could see clearly, going on a 19-4 run to pull away from Moanalua 59-43 in opening-round Division I play of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships.
A modest crowd of about 400 at Father Bray Athletic Center saw the ILH runner-up Raiders go from sloppy (eight turnovers) in the first quarter to impeccable in the second, with 3-point bombs by Bailey Alabanza and Justin Genovia. Adjusting to Moanalua’s 2-3 matchup zone was a major factor for ‘Iolani (12-4), which will play fourth-seeded Waiakea on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round at McKinley Student Council Gymnasium.
It took suffocating defense by Iolani’s defenders, including Helam Baldomero. The senior helped limit Moanalua sharpshooter Caleb Casinas to five points on 2-for-9 shooting.
“We wanted them to focus mainly on Casinas and (R.J.) Dominguez, make it difficult and give them no free looks,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. “Our whole defense needed to make them work for everything.”
Dominguez finished with 17 points on 5-for-14 shooting, and grabbed five boards. C.J. Bonilla added 11 points.
Hugh Hogland, a 6-foot-9 senior, had 18 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks to power ‘Iolani. Genovia added 16 points as the Raiders shot 56 percent from the field (18-for-32) and overcame 18 turnovers. They outrebounded Na Menehune 25-17.
When the teams met on Dec. 9, ‘Iolani won 57-48.
This time, Hogland was double-teamed through the first quarter, however, as the Raiders committed eight turnovers. After Moanalua’s Isaiah Jackson scored off a steal, ‘Iolani had an 8-7 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
After Dominguez scored on a cut to the basket for a three-point play, Na Menehune were right there, down 11-10 with 6:44 to go in the first half. ‘Iolani then figured it out, getting a string of lob passes to Hogland, who scored six of ‘Iolani’s next eight points.
Then Alabanza and Genovia found their range. Alabanza hit a corner 3 on the fast break, and Genovia sank treys from the top and the wing. After Hogland finished the first half with two free throws, the Raiders took a 30-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
“I was happy at that point when it was 8-7, but what killed us was they got three 3s in five possessions,” Moanalua coach Byron Mello said. “They’re a typical ‘Iolani team. They don’t beat themselves.”
After the break, Moanalua went to fullcourt man-to-man pressure, but couldn’t chip into the lead. ‘Iolani opened the lead to 38-18 after buckets by Kawika Lee, Cole Hogland and Noah Bumanglag.
Playing for the sixth time in eight days, Shimamoto rotated five in and five out most of the way, and the Raiders got a steal for a layup by Ryan Van Cantfort for their largest margin, 47-25, with 4:55 remaining.
The visitors kept it interesting by cutting the lead to 49-38 with 1:18 left after Bonilla scored seven points in a row. Shimamoto sent his starters back in and Moanalua never got closer the rest of the way.
“We didn’t start the game well or finish well,” Shimamoto said. “We got complacent.”
HHSAA BOYS Division ITournament
First Round
‘Iolani 59, Moanalua 43
At ‘Iolani
Moanalua 7 7 11 18 — 43
‘Iolani 8 22 10 19 — 59
MOANALUA—Isaiah Sugiura 0, Austin Dyer 3, Blayze Simon 2, CJ Bonilla 11, Isaiah Jackson 5, RJ Dominguez 17, Duncan Clark 0, Caleb Casinas 5, Sebastian Ibarra 0, Rocky Ramones 0.
‘IOLANI—Vance Hamada 0, Helam Baldomero 5, Kawika Lee 2, Frank Felix 3, Sam Wheeler 2, Ryan Van Cantfort 2, Bailey Alabanza 3, Noah Bumanglag 2, Justin Genovia 16, Cole Hogland 3, Jarin Yokogawa 0, Cameron Chang 4, Hugh Hogland 17.
3-point goals—Moanalua none. ‘Iolani 6 (Genovia 3, Alabanza, Baldomero, Felix).
Kalaheo 83, Maui High 51
At Maui High
Kalaheo 20 17 28 18 — 83
Maui High 4 16 16 15 — 51
KALAHEO—Cameron Kalaukoa 0, Cyrus Fernandez 2, Noah Woodby 5, Captain Whitlock 24, Kai Samiere 2, Lawrence DeCosta 0, Ryan Pardini 22, David Teves 0, Robert Gribbins 5, Justus Neufeldt 0, Cannen Chiu 9, Harry Wallace 6, Andreas Jankovic 8.
MAUI HIGH—Micah Jio 14, Bronson Ranches 12, Rexie Butihi 2, Mark Ranchez 0, Bryson Ranches 1, Chey Higashiguchi 7, Fransver Castro 5, Efren Villon 2, Makana Reis Schranz 4, Jojo Pacubas 2, Scott Magno 2.
3-point goals—Kalaheo 7 (Pardini 3, Whitlock 2, Chiu, Woodby). Maui High none.
Leilehua 51, Kapolei 49, OT
At Kapolei
Leilehua 13 6 15 11 6 — 51
Kapolei 19 12 8 6 4 — 49
LEILEHUA—Genesis Ofoia 4, TaShaun Wright 6, Kaleo Aloha Piceno 0, Trey Boatwright 17, Liam Fitzgerald 15, Jostin Gampayon 5, Jaymond Agdinaoy 3, Kalei Kauhi 1.
KAPOLEI—Hezekiah Del Prado 3, Isiah Higa 7, Kieran Queen-Booker 0, Jayson Manapul 13, Zoar Nedd 8, Marquis Montgomery 3, Ja’Shon Carter 9, Kamakana Cunningham 0, Jeremiah Sanchez 6, Riley Asuncion 0, Kanoa Manalo .
3-point goals—Leilehua 2 (Fitzgerald, Gampayon). Kapolei 5 (Sanchez 2, Del Prado, Higa, Manapul).
Konawaena 68, Kailua 55
At Konawaena
Kailua 16 15 14 10 — 55
Konawaena 20 9 16 23 — 68
KAILUA—Ronske Inere Jr. 0, Aaron Mejia 12, Everett Torres-Kahapea 21, Zachary Marrotte 13, Makana Robeson 0, Keoni Serikawa Jr. 3, Hapaki Kupahu-Phillips 4, Jonah Kalai 2.
KONAWAENA—Na‘ea-Kaiya Leleiwi 2, Aina Alip 0, Austin Ewing 17, Hauoli Akau 10, Austin Aukai 25, Jayden Kuoha-Basque 2, Kamakana Ching 10, Seau Amor 0, Viliami Kaea 2.
3-point goals—Kailua 7 (Torres-Kahapea 5, Mejia 2). Konawaena 4 (Aukai 3, Ewing 1).
ILH BOYS DIVISION I-AA TOURNAMENT
Monday
Saint Louis 46, Kamehameha 33
