As a program, Kalaheo spent many seasons in the boys basketball spotlight.
As a team, this year’s group of Mustangs is learning to adjust to the added attention.
Victories over two ranked opponents last week propelled Kalaheo into the Star-Advertiser Top 10 and the Mustangs rolled the momentum into the start of the Oahu Interscholastic Association season.
After checking in at No. 7 in this week’s poll, Kalaheo moved to 2-0 in the OIA East with a 55-44 win at Kaimuki on Wednesday.
“We’re young, we’re a bunch of juniors,” Kalaheo head coach Alika Smith said. “We’re going to have to learn on the run because nobody expected us to be at this point except for these guys and us as coaches. So they’re going to have to learn and hopefully they can handle it.
“We’re trying to get these guys working and get Kalaheo back on the map.”
Kalaheo won 15 OIA titles from 1984 to 2004 — 14 under the late Pete Smith and the last under Chico Furtado — but had taken a lower profile in the past two years.
The Mustangs jumped into the rankings with a strong preseason highlighted by wins over then-top ranked Kamehameha and Kahuku in the St. Francis/Merv Lopes Hoops Classic last week.
They beat Kaiser in their OIA opener on Monday, then put together a balanced performance to pull away from Kaimuki on Wednesday.
“(Last week’s tournament) gave us a confidence boost and it gave us faith in Coach Alika’s system,” junior guard Josh Ko said, “and if we run his offense we’re able to make plays and easy buckets.”
Guard Derick Morgan led Kalaheo with 16 points, while Ko hit three 3-pointers and finished with 15. The Mustangs also got production inside with Nainoa Frank contributing eight points. Jordyn Reindollar added eight points plus several key hustle plays as Kalaheo held off a Kaimuki rally.
Kalaheo took a nine-point lead in the first quarter before Kaimuki’s Jordan Palik hit a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to spark a 15-0 run for the Bulldogs for a 26-20 lead.
Kalaheo responded by outscoring Kaimuki 19-4 in a run bridging halftime. Kaimuki rallied again and closed to 47-44 with 3:21 left in the game.
The Bulldogs missed on one chance to tie the game then came up with a steal after a Kalaheo timeout. But Reindollar hustled downcourt to steal the ball back for the Mustangs. Kalaheo’s Shem Sukumaran capped the wild scramble with a putback.
“We call them 50-50 balls. In the first half we lost that battle and the second half we won,” Smith said. “Those are extra possessions, extra offense. Those are valuable.”
The Mustangs scored the game’s final eight points — with Ko going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line — to pull away.
Guard Dio Taulung led Kaimuki with 11 points, while forward Amu Moefu drained three 3-pointers for his nine points.
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At Kaimuki
| KALAHEO (2-0) |
20 |
9 |
12 |
14 |
— |
55 |
| KAIMUKI (1-1) |
14 |
14 |
8 |
8 |
— |
44 |
KALAHEO—Josh Ko 15, Shem Sukumaran 5, Nainoa Frank 8, Kalani Green 0, Derick Morgan 16, Silia Tucker 3, Jordyn Reindollar 8, Anthony Rowan 0.
KAIMUKI—Zachary Bastats 0, Tim Tolenoa 4, Jordan Palik 8, Dio Taulung 11, Nick Motellang 1, Brandon Kekoa 0, Tai Boyd 0, Jaypee Unabia 5, Siaosi Hala‘api‘api 6, Amu Moefu 9.
3-point goals—Kalaheo 5 (Ko 3, Morgan, Tucker). Kaimuki 6 (Moefu 3, Palik, Taulung, Unabia).
Junior varsity—Kaimuki 46, Kalaheo 44
OTHER OIA EAST BOYS
No. 8 Moanalua 34, Castle 31
Dillon Turk scored 10 as Na Menehune edged the Knights, who were led by Kalei Zuttermeister’s nine points.
At Castle
| MOANALUA (1-1) |
6 |
9 |
12 |
7 |
— |
34 |
| CASTLE (1-1) |
6 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
— |
31 |
MOANALUA—Kreig Kepa 3, Daib Starks 0, Kahanu Puulei-Auld 6, Alex Hutson 4, Eliet Donley 3, Dillon Turk 10, Justin Hudcovic 0, Josh Kang 6, Kyrie McRaven 2.
CASTLE—Rudy Tyquiengco 0, Kalei Zuttermeister 9, Kela Shea 8, Teawe Olds 0, Micah Maeda 7, Fuavasa Quirit , Fa‘asea Lakatani 2, Joe Lilio 5.
3-point goals—Moanalua none. Castle 4 (Zuttermeister 2, Lilio, Maeda).
Junior varsity—Moanalua 61, Castle 49
No. 9 Kahuku 66, Kaiser 32
Lasselle Thompson scored 16 points, Kawehena Johnson 13 and Mekeli Fiso 11 as the Red Raiders beat the Cougars, who got 14 points from Cruz Kalaugher.
At Kahuku
| KAISER (0-2) |
7 |
6 |
14 |
5 |
— |
32 |
| KAHUKU (2-0) |
23 |
12 |
20 |
11 |
— |
66 |
KAISER—John Bice 0, Cleston Teixeira 0, Royce Kumamoto 3, Joshua Simao 1, Casey Bolda 2, Shiloh Laboy 0, Preston Wuich 3, Justin Wuich 0, Malosi Kaimikaua 7, Cruz Kalaugher 14, Billy McGivern 2, Leimana Chong-Gum 0, Christian Kastrinakis 0.
KAHUKU—Evan Ramirez 1, Kawehena Johnson 13, Mason Kuali‘i-Moe 2, Lasselle Thompson 16, Reed Salanoa 2, Devailo Galeai 3, Jayven Mohetau 2, Matai Paselio 0, Quayd Ah You 4, Danny Aki 2, Mekeli Fiso 11, Rashaan Falemalu 0, Benny Fonua 2, Sam Ching 8.
3-point goals—Kaiser 1 (Kaimikaua). Kahuku 5 (Johnson 3, Thompson, Galeai).
Junior varsity—Kahuku 53, Kaiser 44
Farrington 71, Anuenue 29
Viane Vaina recorded a game-high 14 points as the Governors thumped Na Koa.
At Farrington
| FARRINGTON (1-1) |
15 |
17 |
24 |
15 |
— |
71 |
| ANUENUE (0-2) |
8 |
13 |
5 |
3 |
— |
29 |
FARRINGTON—Shane Cabato-Machado 4, Bradley Parras 3, Jeffrey Madarang 6, Mikey Kleman 8, Chadey Callazo 12,
Marco Cudia 6, Lee Jensen Mahiai 0, Jaymark Raquinio 2, Viane Vaina 14, Tyler Liana 8, Keanu Foki 6, Charles Sataraka 2.
ANUENUE—Kimo Romena 0, Keanu Rodriguez 1, Pono Kahili 0, Kananao Dureg 0, Kahoo Nossman-Ancog 11, Makana Fernandes 5, Kealoha Smith 4, Kahana Reid 0, Mahuka Cullen 4, Na Alii Dureg 4.
3-point goals—Farrington 6 (Callazo 3, Kleman 2, Cabato-Machado). Anuenue 3 (Nossman-Ancog 3).
McKinley 49, Kailua 36
Wilhelm Rivera scored 13 points and Kui Williams added 10 as the Tigers beat the Surfriders, who were led by Cason Kalei and Kirk Ronolo Jr.’s nine points.
At McKinley
| KAILUA (0-2) |
9 |
6 |
10 |
11 |
— |
36 |
| MCKINLEY (2-0) |
20 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
— |
49 |
KAILUA—Cason Kalei 9, Ikaika Ford 6, Kekoa Ford 6, Micah Lee 4, Kalani Johnson 2, Kirk Ronolo Jr. 9.
MCKINLEY—Wilhelm Rivera 13, Jeric Ferrer 3, Kui Williams 10, Jace Bolosan 2, A.J. Ortaleza 8, John Henry Ansagay 2, Justly Laquihon 9, Alex Ironside 2.
3-point goals—Kailua 5 (Kalei 3, Ronolo, Ford). McKinley none.
Junior varsity—none reported
Kalani 64, Roosevelt 47
Kory Kashiwabara scored 21 points, Tatsuya Ono 12 and Keano Kuia 10 as the Falcons beat the Rough Riders, who got 11 points from JJ Mariano.
At Kalani
| ROOSEVELT (0-2) |
11 |
15 |
8 |
13 |
— |
47 |
| KALANI (2-0) |
17 |
13 |
20 |
14 |
— |
64 |
ROOSEVELT—Bryson Quackenbush 0, Micah Ikari 0, Devin Furuta-Harada 2, Chevy Coelho 0, Isaiah Visoria 10, JJ Mariano 11, JJ Acopan 3, Anfernee Liwai 0, Kody Sumida 2, William Kan 0, Uriah Hawkins 9, Kealii Awo 0, Matt Haili 9, Vallen Inaura 1.
KALANI—Takezo Iguchi 7, Brock Haraga 0, Remy Omori 3, David Kakalia-Rassmussen 5, Keano Kuia 10, Kory Kashiwabara 21, Percy Harris 0, Sam Kahalewai 4, Tatsuya Ono 12, Jourdan Johnson 0, Kalia Ka‘awa 2, Michael Pimentel 0, Colby Aoki 0, Sione Sekona 0.
3-point goals—Roosevelt 2 (Mariano, Acopan). Kalani 7 (Kuia 3, Kashiwabara 3, Ono).
Junior varsity—Kalani 64, Roosevelt 39
OIA WEST BOYS
Kapolei 60, Leilehua 56, OT
Curtis Tavares scored 17 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 9 seconds remaining in regulation, as the Hurricanes beat the Mules, who got 16 points from Larry Wheeler-Rutkowski.
At Kapolei
| LEILEHUA (1-1) |
14 |
11 |
11 |
16 |
4 |
— |
56 |
| KAPOLEI (2-0) |
15 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
8 |
— |
60 |
LEILEHUA—Russell Siavii 4, Jeremiah Andrade 8, Marc Lagmay 0, Reece Acohido 7, Larry Wheeler-Rutkowski 16, Troy Ross 8, Cody Halvorson 9, Christian Manzo-Loera 0, Penetito Melei 4.
KAPOLEI—Dorien Antonio Martos 1, Curtis Tavares 17, Joshua Wills 10, Joshua Farius 2, Christopher Dillard 12, Zachery Reeves 18, Michael Kapoi 0.
3-point goals—Leilehua 1 (Halvorson). Kapolei 2 (Tavares, Dillard).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 63, Kapolei 32
Nanakuli 51, Aiea 46
Joe Shelton scored 18 points and Gary Shelton added 11 as the Golden Hawks beat Na Alii, who got 13 points from Ernesto Salazar.
At Aiea
| NANAKULI (1-0) |
13 |
19 |
6 |
13 |
— |
51 |
| AIEA (0-2) |
7 |
7 |
9 |
23 |
— |
46 |
NANAKULI—Alika Moore 0, Charles Garcia 6, Nyenoa Ulangca 0, Gary Shelton 11, Tryson Vincent 8, Joe Shelton 18, Daniel Puni 8, Royce Ochimas 0.
AIEA—Christian Kaahanui 11, Kalei Liilii 0, Terence Fong 0, Michael Taliulu 6, Ernesto Salazar 13, DeShane Luat 4, Jason Calderon 0, Leuia Iose 1, Steven Minor 8, Kimo Souza 3.
3-point goals—Nanakuli 1 (Shelton) . Aiea 3 (Salazar, Minor, Kaahanui).
Radford 52, Waialua 48
The Bulldogs made a late run in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Rams. Roscoe Kalilikane finished with a game-high 16 points for Radford.
At Waialua
| RADFORD (2-0) |
10 |
22 |
9 |
11 |
— |
52 |
| WAIALUA (0-2) |
8 |
8 |
12 |
20 |
— |
48 |
RADFORD—Lupei Terawaa 4, Pale Poe 2, Roscoe Kalilikane 16, Jeromy Castro 4, Jamoree Jackson 1, Dorsey Norris 6, Markas Lee 0, Mark Anthony Villejo 8, Brendon Blalock 3, Sean Spears 6, Favian Moore 2, Ammon Seei 0.
WAIALUA—Jake Kaysonphet 0, Veran Acob 2, Xavier Repollo 10, Keevin Cuadro 9, Sonnymar Domingo 4, Jerimiah Repollo 8, Meljon Tamayo 0, Winston Sacapulo-Uepa 2, Joshua Labajo 0, Chase Uhlir 11, Richard Pascua 2.
3-point goals—Radford 5 (Villejo 2, Kalilikane 2, Blalock). Waialua 8 (Cuadro 3, X. Repollo 2, J. Repollo, Domingo, Uhlir).
Junior varsity—Radford 64, Waialua 31
Mililani 50, Waipahu 43
Riley Borges and Deshawn Duncan-Benson each scored 12 points as the Trojans beat the Marauders, who got 11 points from Brendan Mendoza.
At Waipahu
| MILILANI (2-0) |
16 |
4 |
16 |
14 |
— |
50 |
| WAIPAHU (0-2) |
9 |
15 |
6 |
13 |
— |
43 |
MILILANI—Tyler Morgan 0, Skyler Gayhart 0, Chedan Pascual 0, Damon Shimabukuro 4, Alex Bumgarner 6, Deshawn Duncan-Benson 12, Riley Borges 12, Jonathan Makaiau 4, Peter Bueno 4, Taylor Tuia 8, Cilvin Steward 0, Sylvester Panoncillo 0.
WAIPAHU—Richard Ugalde 3, Anderson Dominic 0, Hezziah Vaioletama 3, Naftali Tolibas 0, Brendan Mendoza 11, Paul Alambatin 0, Marc Moises 6, Tupou Eliu 0, Jed Pagtulingan 0, Wes Nagaseu 8, Roy Florenco 1, Triton Tatupu 10, Tyler Paguirigan 1, Tafatolu Naea 0, Dustin Morales 0.
3-point goals—Mililani none. Waipahu 6 (Mendoza 2, Moises 3, Ugalde, Vaioletama).
Junior varsity—Mililani 42, Waipahu 28
Campbell 50, Waianae 40
Manuel Sy Jr. and Aaron Steele each scored nine points as the Sabers beat the Seariders, who got 11 points from Jamal Lopez.
At Waianae
| CAMPBELL (1-1) |
21 |
14 |
9 |
6 |
— |
50 |
| WAIANAE (0-2) |
9 |
4 |
14 |
13 |
— |
40 |
CAMPBELL—Brannon Bantolina 6, Ryan Francis Ramil 8, BJ Halmos 0, Manuel Sy Jr. 9, Micah Cadiente 0, Donovan Poniatowski 0, Justin Silva-Freeman 6, Justin Tago-Su‘e 6, Aaron Steele 9, Jarrett Snell 0, Marcus Init 0, Jarrin Bannister 0, Solomon Leaeno 6, Javen Burdett 0.
WAIANAE—Devon Kamaka 4, Justin Kila 2, Jamal Lopez 11, Devon Seabrooks 4, Makana Piilani 2, Anthony Hughes 0, Austin Reese 3, Alexander Richardson 10, Jarryn Marfil 2, D.J. Westbrook 2, Bronson Brown-Kaopua 0.
3-point goals—Campbell 6 (Sy Jr 3, Ramil 2, Bantolina). Waianae none.
Junior varsity—Campbell 62, Waianae 33
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Tuesday
‘Iolani II 61, Hawaiian Mission 41
Brandon Kaiura finished with 15 points to lead the Raiders over the Knights.
At Hawaiian Mission
| ‘IOLANI II (1-0) |
16 |
14 |
8 |
23 |
— |
61 |
| HMA (2-2) |
18 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
— |
41 |
‘IOLANI II—Maika Kealoha 0, Brandon Kaiura 15, Brey Kobashigawa 2, Schuyler Shigemura 0, Taylor Lau 9, Alden Wong 9, Travis Cundiff 0, Scott Tan 5, David Ling 2, Adrian Kwok 7, Austin Gima 6, Troy Young 6.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—J.T. Landenberger 2, Brady Clark 2, Marcus Uechi 0, Ryan Kim 3, Lucas Earles 11, Nesi Bechard 12, Israel Olsen 5, Hong Lei 0, Shaun Pajardo 0, J.J. Reynolds 6.
3-point goals—‘Iolani II 6 (Kaiura 3, Lau 3). Hawaiian Mission 2 (Kim, Olsen).
ALSO
Junior varsity boys
Kamehameha White 56, Damien 42
Punahou Blue 50, Maryknoll 39
