The Jefferson Democrats aren’t quite a national brand name in high school basketball, but that might change sooner rather than later.
The Democrats, from Portland, Ore., got 38 points from junior Marcus Tsohonis in a 103-54 win over Kapolei on Saturday night in opening-round play of the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. Jefferson, the defending 6-A state champion from Oregon, is playing in the tourney for the first time. Saturday’s game was only their second of the season, but their chemistry and ball movement were in midseason form.
“Whether we’re underdogs or not, we play our brand of basketball. Great defense and great energy,” coach Patrick Strickland said.
Jefferson will meet Taft (Calif.) on Monday in a 3:30 p.m. quarterfinal game.
Tsohonis, a 6-foot-5 guard, scored 21 points in the first quarter as the Democrats turned a 21-13 lead into a runaway. The Dems closed the opening quarter with a 14-0 run as the lanky Tsohonis shot 9-for-11 from the field. Much of his success was a byproduct of Jefferson’s vice-grip man-to-man defense, which produced seven turnovers by Kapolei.
“We started out well, but then we fell back into individualistic ways,” Kapolei coach Gary Ellison said.
Khalil Chatman and Kamaka Hepa powered the Dems in the paint. Chatman, a 6-8 senior, had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Hepa, a 6-10 signee with Texas, had 16 points and 13 boards. When the pace slowed in the third quarter, Hepa had all four of his blocks.
Robert Ford, their point guard, had 15 points, five assists and seven steals, often controlling traffic with his on-ball defense.
“He does the little things that wins championships,” Strickland said of the 6-foot senior. “He was probably our leading rebounder last year. He’s the glue that keeps us together.”
Ja’Shon Carter led Kapolei with 20 points. Zoar Nedd added 10 points and four rebounds. The Hurricanes’ up-tempo game worked for a good portion of the opening period.
“We knew 20 (Nedd) was their best guy from our scouting report,” Strickland said. “We made sure we made him go to his left. We had Jalen (Brown), Robert and Marcus on him. We kind of tag-teamed him.”
It was Tsohonis’ night on the offensive end, and his teammates smiled recalling his outstanding shooting. He was 17-for-25 from the field with four boards, six assists and five steals. And just one turnover.
“Whoever’s on fire, we give him the ball,” Hepa said. “He played great defense, too.”
Hepa’s father is originally from Kapaa. His mother is Inuit (Eskimo) and he grew up in Alaska before the family moved to Portland, Ore., two years ago so he could get more exposure in basketball.
“We’re definitely an underdog in this tournament. We’re going to always play with high energy,” Hepa said.
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‘IOLANI PREP BOYS CLASSIC
First round, at ‘Iolani
>> Fairfax (Los Angeles) 83, Leilehua 33
>> Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) 103, Kapolei 54
>> Montverde (Fla.) 95, Lahainaluna 27
>> Maryknoll vs. Greensboro Day (N.C.)
Leading scorers—Fair: Ethan Anderson 19, Shawn Booker 12, Jamal Hartwell 12, Robert McRae 11, Kirk Smith 10, Daylen Williams 10. Lei: Jaymond Agdinaoay 10. Jeff: Marcus Tsohonis 38, Kamaka Hepa 16, Khalil Chatman 15, Robert Ford 14. Kap: Ja’Shon Carter 20, Zoar Nedd 10. Mont: RJ Barrett 40, Michael Devoe 17, Filip Petrusev 16. Lah: Reece Pascua 6
ILH
Girls Varsity Division I
>> Mid-Pacific 42, Punahou 39
Leading scorers—MPI: 32 Brilie Kovaloff 21. Pun: Fetogiaifaasoiatuaoi Fonoti 19, Melody Lum 10.
Girls Varsity Division II
>> ‘Iolani 47, Hanalani 34
Leading scorers—Iol: Jenna Maruyama 13, Tessa Nishida 11. Han: Keila Tsutsui 18.
Girls JV Division I
>> Punahou 40, Mid-Pacific 39
Boys JV Division I
>> Maryknoll 54, ‘Iolani 44
