Punahou runs past Kahuku

Punahou pressed Kahuku from the opening tip and scored a 69-50 win in the semifinals of the Punahou Invitational on Thursday night.

The Buffanblu had nine different players score in the first half as they ran out to a 21-point lead that the Red Raiders could not reduce to less than 14 the rest of the way.

"We feel we are 14-15 guys deep," Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. "I have confidence in all of our players and they have confidence in themselves. It is a very selfless team."

Punahou had 13 different players score baskets. Malik Johnson was the top scorer with 11 points, nine in the first half. Steven Lakalaka added 10 points, while DeForest Buckner and Kupono Fey each had eight points.

Mason Kualii-Moe led Kahuku with 13 points, followed by fellow slasher Evan Ramirez with 11.

Kahuku was hurt in part by going 1-for-7 from the line in the first half while Punahou went 7-for-9. Kahuku finished 14-for-24 from the line, while Punahou went 11-for-15.

The Buffanblu move on to play Maryknoll in the tournament’s championship at 2:30 p.m. today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"They are going to present some problems we haven’t seen before," Matsuda said. "They have assembled a good team and it will be a tough challenge."

Maryknoll 57, Trinity Grammar 36

The Spartans spread it around to beat the Australians, getting 14 points from Austin Gaskins, 13 from Kaleb Gilmore and 12 from Tobias Schramm.

The Spartans turned a close game into a blowout with a 23-4 second quarter and kept it going by outscoring Trinity Grammar 16-5 in the third.