Maryknoll on a roll, win over Kaimuki

These seven were magnificent.

Maryknoll rolled to an 86-22 win over Kaimuki on Saturday to complete a 3-0 run through the McKinley Black and Gold Classic. The Spartans did it with just seven players since four teammates were busy taking the SAT in the morning.

The same was true for other teams in the tourney; Kaimuki started two freshmen. Maryknoll rode the hot shooting of Josh Burnett and Caleb Gilmore. Burnett scored 26 points, including back-to-back breakaway dunks off steals in the second quarter. He made seven consecutive field-goal attempts in that stretch, scoring 12 points in the opening quarter and seven more in the second.

Burnett had six steals, all in the first half.

"He’s super athletic, but he’s still struggling on defense," coach Kelly Grant said.

Gilmore, a sophomore guard, hit five 3-pointers as the Spartans moved the ball fluidly against Kaimuki’s matchup zone.

"He’s started lifting weights, so he’s not getting bumped around as much as last year," Grant said.

Tobias Schramm added 15 points and 10 rebounds in Maryknoll’s inside-out game. The senior post returned to the islands after going back to Germany in the summer. There was no guarantee that he would leave his home country again.

"Our team is learning to pass the ball to the post. They’re more used to having a 6-9 guy in the post now," Grant said.

Tyson Kaloa, a 6-foot-1 junior, contributed nine boards in extended playing time.

"Other guys got quality minutes," Grant said. "But it was difficult. I know Coach (Brandon) Young was playing young guys. I sympathize, but I don’t want our guys to break away from what we teach them."

Jaypee Unabia led Kaimuki with eight points. In addition to the SAT conflict, several Bulldogs sat out the first week of nonconference games due to academic shortcomings.

Maryknoll’s closest game was on Friday against Kapolei in a 60-50 win. The game was close until the final minutes.

"Kapolei is definitely talented," Grant said, noting the elevation of Zachery Reeves, a 6-4 post. "He was still rising higher after he dunked on us. Their point guard (Curtis Tavares) makes good decisions."

Maryknoll, which beat Pearl City in its nonconference opener, overwhelmed McKinley 72-48 on Thursday. The Spartans were ranked in the top five for several weeks last season before fading late in the year. This time, they’ve got experience plus talent, as well as a big spotlight.

"I like the top 10. For small schools like us, it helps. The kids enjoy it and the other kids at school, even the ones who don’t play any sports, for them there’s a sense of pride," Grant said.

Maryknoll’s next game is against University on Dec. 12. Then the Spartans play in Punahou’s tourney.

OIA GIRLS

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