Home is truly sweet home for LaChae McColor.

The Moanalua senior guard scored 15 points, including a go-ahead 3-point shot, to lead the public-school squad over the private-school team 59-55 on Sunday in the inaugural Geremy Robinson Senior Basketball Classic.

"It means more than you could imagine. The OIA is just as competitive. The ILH is good, but we’re good, too," said McColor, who was named the game’s most valuable player. "This is my home court and it was great playing the game with other people who know the game."

A robust crowd of about 800 watched at Moanalua High School gym. McColor’s team, loaded with talent — including Sarah Liva (16 points, 17 rebounds) of Mililani and Penina Faumui (14 points, 11 boards) of Farrington — had a 10-point lead in the second half.

The private-school squad, led by Alohi Robins-Hardy (17 points, six boards) rallied with an outburst of fast-break buckets.

Robins-Hardy, a 6-foot-2 senior from Kamehameha, scored on the break on a feed from Punahou’s Hailey Motooka, and Motooka followed that with a feed to Celina Pagan (Sacred Hearts). After Jade Botelho (‘Iolani) scored inside and Robins-Hardy scored on a lob from Motooka, the team of ILH hoopsters was within a point.

Then Keau Fey, who had three big blocks during the comeback, scored and hit a free throw for a three-point play, giving it a 53-52 lead with 1:53 remaining. That capped an 11-2 run.

After a timeout, McColor didn’t hesitate on a corner 3, getting all net to give the OIA squad a 55-53 lead with 1:38 remaining. They never trailed again.

The public-school team’s chemistry was something special, especially with just one practice under coach Patrick Basilio of Mililani.

Liva was all smiles after the win.

"It’s a big deal for us since everybody praises the ILH," she said. "Public schools can do better."

In the boys battle, Jaylen Layco of Damien scored 15 points off the bench as the ILH squad outlasted the OIA team 86-77. Layco was named the game’s MVP.

"I feel surprised. I was nervous in the beginning, but I got more comfortable," the 6-foot-2 forward said. "We had fun. Coming from a small school, anything can happen when you put in the hard work."

The team, coached by Kamehameha’s Greg Tacon, had balanced scoring from Punahou’s Daniel Andrews (12 points), Kamehameha’s Alaka‘i Freitas (12), Maryknoll’s Josh Burnett (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Kamehameha’s Noa Kinimaka (10 points). Burnett said he still has a sore knee from an injury suffered at the state tournament.

University High point guard Anthony Canencia was especially smooth with six points, six assists and two steals.

"We were blown away at how efficient he is as a guard," Tacon said. "He doesn’t even have to take a shot and he impacts the game."

The OIA squad started well, nailing three treys in the opening quarter, thanks to the hot shooting of Moanalua’s Aaron Stuart and Jamaal Willis. But their 23-18 lead dissipated in the second quarter.

Willis finished with a team-high 15 points, while Elijah Butler (Mililani) and Van Hugo (Farrington) added 12 each. Isaiah Visoria (Farrington) had 10 points and three blocks, and Jacob McEnroe had 10 points and four assists.

Carly Kakuda (Kalani) won the girls 3-point shootout and Kinimaka won the boys’ shootout. Daniel Andrews won the slam-dunk competition, topping McEnroe in the final.

"It was a blast. This was a great crowd. I hope this is something we can do annually," Tacon said.