The epic showdown between two of the state’s top big men didn’t quite happen.
Tolu Smith did his part, pouring in all 17 of his points in the first half as unseeded Kahuku dominated Kamehameha-Hawaii 62-37 on Wednesday night at Moanalua gym in the quarterfinals of the Snapple/HHSAA Division I Boys Basketball State Championship.
Defending state champion Kahuku (25-4 overall) will meet Maryknoll today at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. KS-Hawaii (22-4), the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion, will meet Kapolei at 1 p.m.
Smith, a 6-10 senior, added eight rebounds before leaving the game for good with 2:24 left in the third quarter. By then, the OIA runner-up Red Raiders led 41-18, coasting the rest of the way as coach Brandyn Akana emptied his bench.
Akana’s defense used a Virginia-type pack-line look to smother KS-Hawaii’s 6-5 senior, Nalu Kahapea. The versatile standout was limited to six points in the first half on 2-for-6 shooting with one rebound. He finished the game with 17 points and six boards.
“It was a little different for us, so I commend Nalu for that,” Warriors coach Mea Wong said. “We drilled for this all week, but we still had a lack of ball movement, and you never know how your team will respond to a team that’s big and fast.”
Though Kahuku clearly pinpointed Kahapea, the rest of the Warriors didn’t take advantage of their opportunities. KS-Hawaii had more turnovers (12) than field goals (six) through the first three periods.
Ruanui Winitana added 11 points, including eight in the second quarter. The game was close, 10-all after the first stanza, when Winitana splashed back-to-back 3-pointers against a Warrior man-to-man defense that sagged in on Smith.
“Our coach always preaches inside-out. There were two, three guys on me so it’s easy for (Winitana) to make those,” Smith said.
Winitana’s deep shots sparked a 17-6 run, and Kahuku led 27-16 at the half. The Red Raiders, who shot 7-for-18 from the arc, looked like a team that has broken through as perimeter shooters.
“We kept pushing the ball because we’ve got guys like Marcus (Damuni) and Robbie (Sauvao),” Winitana said. “Coach said, ‘Shoot the ball, don’t lose confidence.’ ”
Damuni, who injured an ankle during the OIA championship game loss to Kalaheo, said the ankle is at around 75 percent. He still managed to scored eight points with four rebounds in limited action.
“I can’t get any air time,” he said.
Maryknoll 57, Kapolei 42
The top-seeded Spartans rode a steady, balanced offensive attack to rally past the Hurricanes at Moanalua gym.
Marcus Tobin, Jaylen Cain and Makoto Kamata scored 12 points each to power the ILH champions. Maryknoll (27-6 overall including nonconference games) will face Kahuku at 5 p.m. today in semifinal action at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Zoar Nedd was relentless and led Kapolei (17-6) with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Isiah Higa added 13 points.
Tobin hustled for 11 rebounds and three blocks, while Cain added seven boards. The Spartans trailed 13-6 after one quarter, but kept attacking the rim and pulled within 21-20 by halftime.
Maryknoll then went on an 18-7 run in the third quarter, getting a 3-pointer by Kamata off a block by Tobin to start the action. Isiah Gelacio added a corner 3 while Tobin, Cain and Kamata attacked the paint. The Spartans led 38-28 entering the final quarter, then got a drive by Cain and a slam dunk by Tobin to open the lead to 14.
They got a bit sloppy after that, throwing the ball away on an alley-oop pass, and Kapolei went on a 14-5 run. Nedd hustled in transition, scoring seven points, and Higa hit an off-balance bank shot from the foul line as the ’Canes got within 47-42 with 2:12 left.
After a Maryknoll timeout, the Spartans hit their last six free-throw attempts and closed the game with a 10-0 run to advance.
Maryknoll point guard Jordyn Perez limited Kapolei scoring guard Ja’Shon Carter to four points on 2-for-10 shooting.
Moanalua 52, Kalaheo 50
Geremy Robinson had 20 points, and DiAeris McRaven added 17 points and nine rebounds, leading Na Menehune (10-6) to an upset of the OIA champion Mustangs (10-4).
With the win, Moanalua advances to face Punahou in the state semifinals. Luke Pardini had 12 points, and Cannen Chiu had 11 for Kalaheo.
Punahou 50, Lahainaluna 40
Hunter Hosoda had 18 points, leading the Buffanblu (12-3) into the state semifinals over the Lunas (13-1).
Duke Clemens added 13 points for Punahou, who advances to face Moanalua in the state semifinals.
Steven Kama had 14 points to lead Lahainaluna.
DIVISION II
Kauai 53, Hawaii Prep 50
CJ Cromartie scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Red Raiders (9-1) defeated Ka Makani (12-4).
Gunnar Burkman added 14 points, and Christian Manera had 11 points for Kauai, who will advance to play St. Francis, the No. 1 seed, in the state semifinals.
Kelsen-Jaye Walker had 12 points, and Michael Hughes had 11 for Hawaii Prep.
Damien 57, Seabury 45
Kolin Galdiano had 16 points, and Jydon Hall added 13, as the Monarchs (10-3) defeated the Spartans (12-2).
Kama Konohia had a game-high 17 points, and Isaiah Payne had 14 for Seabury, the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
Kama Konohia had a game-high 17 points, and Isaiah Payne had 14 for Seabury, the No. 3 seed in the tournament.
Saint Francis 62, Roosevelt 51
Kameron Ng poured in 38 points, leading the top-seeded Saints (11-0) past the Rough Riders (8-6).
St. Francis advances to face Kauai in the semifinals.
Micah Visoria had 22 points to lead Roosevelt.
Kalani 51, Honokaa 33
Brandon Chung had 13 points, leading the Falcons (11-2) past the Dragons (10-6).
The second-seeded Falcons advance to take on Damien in the semifinals.
Kamuela S. Herring had 15 points for Honokaa.
