Fire and intensity for four quarters is what Kaleb Gilmore is looking for from his Kalaheo Mustangs when they play ILH champion Punahou on Thursday night.

Gilmore used his multi-faceted basketball toolbox to score 22 points in the Mustangs’ 77-65 victory over Maui in the Division I first round of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Boys Basketball State Championships on Wednesday night.

Gilmore also made six steals, nearly all leading to points in a pivotal third-quarter stretch, and he added five assists in the victory at the Moanalua High gym.

"Defensively, we did all right, but offensively, we can’t be turning the ball over and expect the same result (against Punahou)," said Gilmore, who was guilty of seven of Kalaheo’s 18 turnovers. "That doesn’t mean Maui isn’t a good team. There’s a reason they’re here. We didn’t have the fire and intensity to start the game. We picked it up, maybe midway through the second quarter and the second half."

Using the inside work of 6-foot-4 post Tristan Nichols, the Sabers (8-5) kept within striking distance throughout the first 16 minutes. They trailed just 15-14 with a little over a minute left in the opening period, by eight points, 29-21, midway through the second, and 10, 36-26, at the half.

Nichols finished with 22 points, including 16 in the first half, and nine rebounds.

"They figured us out in the second half," Nichols said. "They started to double down and they had the help side come in and pick it out from me."

Kalaheo (14-1) used a variety of pressure defenses after the break, and Maui’s turnovers started to add up. Overall, the Sabers committed 39 turnovers.

Three other Mustangs finished in double figures. Kupaa Harrison scored 19 points and added eight rebounds, and Zachary Marotte and Kekai Smith added 12 points each.

"Kalaheo changed defensive schemes on us," Maui coach Steven Vega said. "They have long arms and hands and they made our passing difficult. They also shot the ball well from the outside on us."

Gilmore spearheaded the Mustangs’ 16-3 run in the third quarter that turned an eight-point game into their biggest lead of the night, 54-33. Gilmore had seven points and two steals in the spree.

"We were in great position at the half," Vega said. "A couple less turnovers, and who knows."

Kalaheo coach Alika Smith talked about a key halftime adjustment.

"I wanted them to refocus on the defensive end. That kid (Nichols) is a big kid, a wide kid, a good player. He jumps and he finishes and that’s a deadly combination. We wanted to contest their guards and their ball-handling skills, using some fullcourt pressure and some traps, not necessarily a fullcourt press the whole time."

The coach and his Mustangs are aiming at recapturing the state-title glory they won in 2013. The huge Punahou roadblock is in the way Thursday night at Moanalua.

Kalaheo beat the Buffanblu by one, 41-40, in the final of the Punahou Invitational in December.

"Both teams are better," Smith said. "How are they better? We’ll find out. We have a ton of respect for them. The team that takes care of the ball and makes the simple plays should win. We’re capable and they’re capable."

Kahuku 49, Moanalua 48

The Red Raiders survived a huge scare from Na Menehune, who led by nine, 39-30, in the third quarter.

But Kahuku (13-2) charged back with passion. A bucket on an inside move by Hyrum Harris tied it at 39.

A few minutes later, Alohi Gilman and Harris hit two free throws apiece to make it a 47-41 game with 40 seconds left.

Keanu Akina went 2-for-4 from the line down the stretch and it turned out to be crucial for Kahuku because Moanalua (8-8) got 3-pointers from James Wilkins and Karson Kruz (at the buzzer) to get within the one point.

"It was way too close for comfort," Kahuku coach Alan Akina said. "Moanalua came out on fire and ready to play."

Na Menehune coach Byron Mello said, "I thought we played well enough to win the game."