Punahou’s defense of the Division I state championship got off to a wobbly start on Wednesday. But an impressive finishing kick kept the Buffanblu in contention.
Punahou trailed Farrington by 13 in the second quarter of a Division I first-round game in the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships. But a Buffanblu barrage from behind the 3-point line propelled Punahou to a 63-50 win at Moanalua and into today’s quarterfinal round.
Punahou hit 10 3-pointers in the game, with Nick Velasquez and Justin Kam hitting three each. Sophomore Dayson Watanabe’s 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter gave Punahou its first lead and the Buffanblu pulled away from the Governors.
"I’m really happy because I think this is what the kids needed; they needed a game to get the nerves out," Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. "And Farrington played really well. They had a great game plan their kids executed well. They were really patient with the ball and they took it to us. … We had to respond."
Punahou next faces Maui Interscholastic League champion King Kekaulike at 5 p.m. at Moanalua.
"They’re pretty similar to Farrington as far as they have really good bigs," Matsuda said. "So we’ll have to make some adjustments."
Velasquez had two points midway through the second quarter while the Governors built a 24-11 lead on the strength of their power in the paint. The senior hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 13-3 run to get Punahou back in the game and finished with a game-high 23 points.
"Nick is a senior, he’s expected to get us going and he really did a good job tonight," Matsuda said.
Jacob McEnroe and Isaiah Smith led Farrington with 12 points each and Tyler Liana scored nine of his 10 points in the first half.
"Coach really calmed us down and made sure we were running our sets and looking for good shots," Velasquez said.
Farrington went into the final period with a 40-38 lead before Watanabe’s 3-pointer ignited a 10-0 run in the first 1:12 of the quarter that gave the Buffanblu control.
At Moanalua
Farrington (10-6) 20 11 9 10 — 50
Punahou (9-4) 11 18 9 25 — 63
FARRINGTON—Jacob McEnroe 12, Mark Duldulao 2, Isaiah Smith 12, Van Hugo 0, Marco Rey Cudia 2, Tyler Liana 10, David Luafatasaga 6, Mason Semisi 6.
PUNAHOU—Randon Oda 0, Jordan Tanuvasa 6, Micah Ma‘a 6, Justin Kam 9, Dayson Watanabe 9, Daniel Andrews 2, Kanawai Noa 4, Nick Velasquez 23, Kupono Fey 4, Canton Kaumatule 0.
3-point goals—Farrington 2 (Smith 2). Punahou 10 (Velasquez 3, Kam 3, Tanuvasa 2, Ma‘a 1, Watanabe 1).
