Punahou squashes undersized McKinley

There was no element of surprise left.

In fact, the McKinley Tigers did themselves no favors last week by giving Kahuku a scare during the OIA playoffs. Punahou did all the scouting necessary, limiting the Tigers to 35 percent shooting en route to a 59-39 win on Monday night before roughly 300 fans at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

“McKinley’s a tough team. They have scrappy guards. They probably give the most effort in the state,” said Cole Arceneaux, who scored a team-high 14 points to go along with three steals and a blocked shot. “That’s how they stayed with Kahuku.”

Zayne Chong added 12 points, five assists and four steals, and Kaulana Makaula added 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Punahou (26-4 overall including nonconference games) advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships.

“That’s a very tough matchup for everybody,” Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. “Duane (Omori) has a small-ball lineup with (Frank) Camacho basically the center, and he’s really a guard.”

That had Punahou starting the game without center Duke Clemens on the floor. Once McKinley switched out of zone to man defense, Clemens took the court and scored eight points on 4-for-4 shooting, all in the second half.

“We tried to slow the game down, but we had a hard time breaking their press,” Omori said. “We had too many turnovers. Credit to Punahou. We don’t see that kind of pressure (in the OIA).”

Junior Caleb Corpening led McKinley (14-14) with 14 points.

Punahou, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up, will meet Maui Interscholastic League champion Lahainaluna (18-6).

The Lunas, seeded No. 3 in the state tourney, faces Punahou on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

“It’s always a tough matchup with them,” Matsuda said. “They pound the ball inside and they’re very disciplined, and they play great defense.”

The Buffanblu expected a methodical, patient McKinley attack. For more than six minutes, the Tigers’ game plan was effective. Camacho splashed a 3 and Corpening scored inside on a pass from Kyle Moraga to give the visitors a 7-6 lead.

With 1:15 left in the first quarter, Matsuda called time out. Punahou then closed the period with a 6-0 run, getting a layup from Makaula, a layup by Les Falatea after a big block from Cole Mausolf, and a steal for a layup by Makaula.

The undersized Tigers hung in there, getting a free throw and a reverse layup from Moraga. After R.J. Cabico swatted Mausolf on a layup attempt, McKinley had plenty of momentum, down 12-10.

Punahou then went on a 14-2 run in the final 5:10 of the first half.

Hunter Hosoda sank an open 3, and Arceneaux scored six points in the final two minutes, including a steal and hanging scoop shot at the buzzer to give Punahou a 26-12 lead at the break.

Punahou extended the lead to 42-21 late in the third quarter and was never challenged again.

Arceneaux and Falatea took turns covering Moraga, the senior guard and McKinley’s leading scorer.

“I work out with him in the offseason. He’s a great guy and a good player. We tried to keep him under 10 points,” Arceneaux said.

Moraga finished with seven points on 3-for-12 shooting with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 30 minutes.

As a team, the Tigers shot 3-for-15 from the arc. Punahou shot over 53 percent from the field (24-for-45).

Moanalua 62, Konawaena 52

Saige Pulu scored 13 points and Austin Dyer and Blayze Simon each added 12 as Na Menehune (8-6) beat the host Wildcats (10-5).

DiAeris McRaven grabbed 10 rebounds for Moanalua.

Konawaena’s Austin Ewing scored 16 points, Hauoli Akau added 14 and Bronson Rivera had 11.

Kapolei 49, Kamehameha-Maui 34

Zoar Nedd finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Ja’Shon Carter added 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Hurricanes (13-1) beat the host Warriors (5-8).

Isiah Higa added 11 points for Kapolei, which held a 38-22 rebounding advantage.

Kamehameha-Maui’s Kamalu Segundo scored 16 points and Austin Peters added 10.

Kahuku 54, Kailua 38

Tolu Smith finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Red Raiders (13-1) beat the Surfriders (7-8).

Ethan Erickson added 10 points for Kahuku, which held a 42-15 rebounding advantage.

Everett Torres-Kahapea scored 14 points for Kailua.