Punahou still has edge on Kahuku

For 16 minutes, the run-and-gun Punahou Buffanblu were outworked.

That’s something coach Darren Matsuda didn’t expect to see, so he made his point at halftime, and Punahou pulled away for a 64-45 win over Kahuku in the opening round of the St. Francis Merv Lopes Hoops Classic at Manoa Valley Recreation Center.

"They outhustled us in the first half," Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. "We met them in the second half and started separating."

Micah Ma’a scored 11 points off the bench to spark the Buffanblu. Jordan Tanuvasa and Nick Velasquez added eight points each for the Buffanblu (8-1), who are ranked No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10 poll.

Kawehena Johnson led Kahuku with 12 points, eight assists and four steals.

"I feel good. We’ve just got to step up our game big time," said Johnson, who was recently voted the Star-Advertiser All-State football defensive player of the year. "The boys are working hard."

Tanuvasa was a sparkplug himself early on. After slowly recovering from an offseason foot injury, the sophomore got the start Wednesday night.

"It’s pain free," he said of his previously fractured navicular bone in his left foot. "We’re progressing every game, getting used to the system and trying to force the tempo."

Tanuvasa hit two quick

3-point bombs as Punahou opened a 15-6 lead.

Kahuku committed six turnovers in the second quarter, but pushed back after falling behind 24-12. The Red Raiders kept it reasonably close with hustle plays by Johnny Tapusoa and a mini-run to close the half down 27-17.

After Johnson swished a 3-point shot, Kahuku was within 27-20 — more like last year’s Division I state final than a preseason matchup 11 days earlier that Punahou won 86-42.

The Red Raiders (1-11) finally looked like their basketball legs were back — most of the roster is comprised of football players who helped the school with the state title a month ago. After Johnson drove for a layup, Kahuku was within 32-26 with less than 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

From there, it was all Punahou. Velasquez sank his second trey during a 10-2 run. Though the Red Raiders had better success against Punahou’s fullcourt press this time, they got no closer than 16 the rest of the way. Kahuku finished with 23 turnovers, a big improvement from the loss to the Buffanblu on Dec. 15 at the Jimmy Alegre Classic.

"D.J. (Red Raiders coach Darren Johnson) did a good job of rotating the ball quickly," Matsuda said of Kahuku’s press breaker. "Plus, it was a 4:30 game and everyone was affected by the glare."

The windows of the gym provide natural light, but even officials had some difficulty getting a clear look at times.

"Those are the things that happen and you have to play through them. I’m proud of the guys for trusting the system," Matsuda said. "Kahuku is a dangerous team. They’re going to hit it at some point."

Johnson is willing to be patient.

"We’ve still got a lot of work to do. We were 5-for-28 in the paint tonight," he said. "But we’re slowly coming along."