Coach Kelly Grant doesn’t have a problem with high-flying plays as long as they’re part of a Maryknoll victory.
Count Josh Burnett as a big-time contributor with all the flair of a high flyer. The 6-foot-3 junior threw down three dunks, all off Maryknoll steals, as the No. 1-ranked Spartans overwhelmed No. 9 Kahuku 64-28 on Friday night in Na Menehune ILH-OIA Challenge at Moanalua High School gym.
Maryknoll improved to 6-0 in nonconference play behind their big three — sharpshooter Kaleb Gilmore (12 points), center Tobias Schramm and Burnett, who also had 12 points.
His comfort level with Grant’s mix of man and fullcourt press defenses is growing.
"He shut the middle down. Once we throw multiple defenses out there, once it’s instinct for him, he’ll get a lot of uncontested shots off tips and steals," Grant said of his energetic defensive ace. "It was easier today with (Kawehena) Johnson out."
Kahuku’s high-scoring guard missed the game due to a football visit to New Mexico State. Johnson is one of the top football players in the islands, and many of Kahuku’s hoopsters were part of the school’s Division I state football championship last month.
Hirkley Latu, a 6-3 junior, led Kahuku with seven points.
Maryknoll got a boost from two new players from New Zealand: 6-foot-5 sophomore Hyrum Harris and 6-1 junior Tama Grean.
"We’re drawing things up in the locker room and walkthroughs," Grant said of the kiwis. "They’ve only had two practices."
Harris, a widebody with excellent low-post moves, had eight points and nine rebounds. Grean added six points as both came off the bench in a game that was a blowout early.
"They’re going to need time to get used to it. It’s so different for them compared to international rules," Grant noted. "It took Tobias a whole year to get comfortable."
Maryknoll didn’t need its imports, jumping to a 10-0 lead with the starting lineup. Kahuku got on the scoreboard on Will Cravens’ layup with 2:35 left in the opening quarter.
The Red Raiders were within 17-11 after a foul shot by Cravens early in the second quarter, but the Spartans used their press to finish the first half with a 20-3 run.
Kahuku had 16 turnovers in the first half. By the third quarter, both teams emptied their benches.
No. 6 Kamehameha 45, No. 2 Moanalua 35
Noa Kinimaka scored nine points as the Warriors (4-1) escaped with a win over Na Menehune (5-2).
Moanalua trailed 34-16 in the third quarter before rallying behind a fullcourt press.
"I don’t like how we started the third quarter. We let them have open looks on 3s," Moanalua coach Greg Tacon said.
But Ola Brown’s steal and feed to Kahanu Pu‘ulei-Auld for a 3-pointer cut the lead to 38-35 with 6:15 remaining.
Pu‘ulei-Auld scored all nine of his points in the final quarter, but Moanalua got no closer. Noah Sua-Godinet scored on a layup and Kody Chai hit a layup on a feed from Austin Gerard for a 42-35 Kamehameha lead with 2:42 left.
The game was a reversal from last week’s final at the Jimmy Alegre Classic, which Moanalua won 42-34. Makoa Camanse-Stevens sat out that game with an ankle injury but played in Friday’s win. The 6-4 senior had six points, three boards and two steals before reinjuring the ankle in the third quarter. That’s when Na Menehune began to chip into the lead.
"It’s a nice redemption win from last week," Kamehameha coach Julian Nakanishi said. "It’s early. We’re still working on our rotation and roles."
Camanse-Stevens will need time to heal his ankle, but the ‘Iolani Classic is around the corner and he insists on playing through the pain.
"Having a 17-point lead makes it a little easier (losing Camanse-Stevens)," Nakanishi said.
Kamehameha normally traps halfcourt, but eased up.
"We struggled with our press against Kahanu," Nakanishi added.
No. 5 ‘Iolani 60, No. 8 Kapolei 50
The Hurricanes rallied to within two, 50-48, with two minutes left, but the Raiders hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the game out of reach.
Zach Buscher, who hit the second of those dagger treys, finished with 17 to lead unbeaten ‘Iolani (5-0). Erik Yamada added 12 points.
Zach Reeves scored 13 points and Elijah Gibson added 12 for the ‘Canes (3-3). Christopher Dillard fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.
No. 3 Punahou 74, Farrington 49
The Buffanblu turned a 20-16 game into a 41-17 lead en route to victory.
Micah Maa scored 17, Daniel Andrews 16 and Nick Velasquez 12 for Punahou. Jacob McEnroe and Van Hugo each had 14 for Farrington.
