In their own fantastically unified way, the ‘Iolani Raiders found a way to make gritty, defense-first basketball fun this season.

They did it again on Wednesday night, getting 21 points from Ikaika Phillip and grinding out a 53-37 win over Punahou in the semifinals of the ILH boys basketball tournament at the Raiders’ gym. Coupled with a win by regular-season winner Maryknoll over Kamehameha on Wednesday, ‘Iolani sealed second place in the league and secured the second — and last — state-tournament berth.

‘Iolani was clutch at the free-throw line: 32-for-34 (94 percent), including 11-for-11 by Phillip and 10-for-11 by Zach Buscher (14 points).

It was ‘Iolani’s second big win over Punahou in an eight-day span. On Feb. 5, the Raiders (18-7) toppled the Buffanblu to claim second place in the regular-season standings, which led to home-court advantage for Wednesday’s tournament game. Again, ‘Iolani relied on a deliberate pace, deep bench and strong man-to-man defense to stifle Punahou (22-5).

They limited Punahou’s top perimeter scorer, J.B. Kam, to just three points.  Daniel Andrews had nine points and five rebounds to lead the Buffanblu.

"Punahou is super athletic, so we try to limit our turnovers against their press and try and make them play halfcourt defense," Raiders coach Dean Shimamoto said. "What Kam’s scored against us in the last few games isn’t an indication of how good he is. It’s important for us to know where he is. We had guys in help positions."

The lead changed hands seven times before Phillip’s spin move on the block was good for a bucket and free throw. Phillip hit the shot and gave the Raiders a 28-26 lead. That sparked a 12-1 run early in the fourth quarter.

The Buffanblu cut the lead to 34-31 after Andrews sent a pass to Randon Oda on a backdoor cut with 3:29 remaining. From there, however, the Raiders enacted the final leg of their winning equation: superb free-throw shooting.

Buscher (14 points), Phillip and Robert Mann combined to make 15 of 16 attempts at the charity stripe in the final 3:08. With Punahou ice-cold from the perimeter, ‘Iolani won going away.

"We practice free-throw shooting for 10 minutes at every practice. In the offseason, I shoot every day for one to two hours, six days a week," Phillip said.

‘Iolani’s execution and patience offensively was only part of the plan. Getting their best foul shooters to the line down the stretch was no coincidence.

"We say that a lot of these games are going to come down to stops and free throws. We want our best ballhandlers and free-throw shooters touching the ball at the end," Shimamoto said. "We kept attacking the basket and we never settled for anything bad. We were down a couple of times, but we got stops and worked for buckets."

Buscher was vital defensively, using his 6-foot-3 frame and long arms to harass Kam, who missed his first 10 shots and didn’t score until he sank a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left. By then, the game was well out of reach.

It was a painful finish for the Buffanblu, who had so much success in preseason, winning their invitational tournament as well as a tournament in San Diego.

"I’m happy for Dean. He and I are good friends," Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. "The ball didn’t bounce our way, but the key is our guys kept fighting. All the years I’ve coached, I’ve never had a team go through so much adversity."

Punahou lost elite guard Jordan Tanuvasa to a football injury in the fall. Still, the Buffanblu were 15-0 in nonconference play, then won five of their first six league games. Then came injuries and illness. Late in the regular season, Micah Ma’a suffered an ankle injury just as he was emerging as a key offensive rebounder, 3-point shooter and defensive stopper.

‘Iolani’s patience was rewarded offensively on Wednesday. Phillip, in particular, was effective going to the basket on drives and posting up. That give the Raiders a low-post option that Punahou lacked virtually all night.

"When I was younger, I used to play post a lot, so I worked on that," said Phillip, who is more of a shooting guard now. 

For now, the Raiders are happy to be back in the state tournament.

"We’re going to celebrate this win," Phillip said. "And get back to work tomorrow."

PUNAHOU–Randon Oda 8, Chris Kobayashi 0, J.B. Kam 3, Dayson Watanabe 7, Kala’i Santos 0, Blake Wade 0, Daniel Andrews 9, Kanawai Noa 8, Ronley Lakalaka 2, Jared Lum 0, Alexander Kidani 0, Davis Miyashiro-Saipa’ia 0, Semisi Uluave 0.

‘IOLANI–Pikai Winchester 3, John Lee 0, Ikaika Phillip 21, Zach Gelacio 2, Chris Gallacher 2, Bryson Hamada 0, Shane Lay 0, Erik Yamada 6, Zach Buscher 14, Kamu Borden 1, Robbie Mann 4, Hugh Hogland 0.

3-point goals– Punahou 4 (Noa 2, Kam, Watanabe). ‘Iolani 1 (Winchester).

Maryknoll 59, Kamehameha 41

Kaleb Gilmore scored 21 points and Josh Burnett added 17 to lead the Spartans past the Warriors. Noa Kinimaka had 12 points in the loss.

KAMEHAMEHA–Noa Kinimaka 12, Alakai Freitas 11, Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz 2, Fatu Sua-Godinet 4, Jaycob Smith 7, Jordan Paulo 2, Saint Gelacio 0, Nakoa Pauole 0, Elijah Leslie 3, Devin Mau 0.

MARYKNOLL–Kyle Wong 0, Jake Suyemoto 0, Brandon Floyd 0, Kaleb Gilmore 21, Josh Burnett 17, Calvin Koo 0, Kamakana Winquist 8, Kalei Victorino 0, Tyson Kaloa 4, Micah McGivern 0, Micheal Miske 0, Hayato Kamata 0, Sean Ogata 9.

3-point goals–Kamehameha 4 (Kinimaka 2, Leslie, Smith). Maryknoll 5 (Gilmore 2, Ogata 2, Winquist).

ILH DIVISION II BOYS

Hanalani 56, Hawaii Baptist 46

John Brady and Zane Pantil each scored six of their 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the Royals pull away from the Eagles.

Hanalani will play University High at Klum Gym on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the league’s tournament final.

The winner will play Monday at the Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s third-place team for a berth to the Division II state tournament.

HANALANI–Chas Kubo 5, Zane Pantil 10, John Brady 10, Jeff Schaake 7, Niko Milone 12, Kai Saruwatari 1, Keenan Cooper 0, Josh Rotz 4, Colby Schoniwitz 7, Jesse Tory 0.

HAWAII BAPTIST– Dallas Wong 0, BJ Hosaka 21, Mike Dang 0, Ty Minatoya 8, Danton Tominaga 4, Matthew Kishaba 3, Jordan Kauwe 8, John Killough 4, Brent Vargas 0, Bryson Hirokawa 2, Joshua Kishaba 0, Brett Miller 0, Christian Pingree 0 .

3-point goals–Hanalani 1 (Schoniwitz). Hawaii Baptist none.

University high 50, Le Jardin 24

Eric Leung scored 12 points and Anthony Canencia added 11 to lead the Junior ‘Bows over the Bulldogs.

LE JARDIN–Alex Tatum 4, Michael Gabrelek 0, Mitchell Hashimoto 4, CJ Jones 2, Dillon Van Ness 4, Dominic Valenzia 3, Corey Grip 2, Shane Mausolf 0, Jerry Lawson 4, Johnson Le 1, Stig Regan 0.

UNIVERSITY–Anthony Canencia 11, Anson Canencia 0, Eric Leung 12, Ryan Kaleikini 0, Shaun Mahiko 2, Ryan Hobus 5, Frank Hobus 0, Lachlan MacLeod 0, Joshua Akamine 6, Tyler Yoshinaga 3, Micah Kahumoku 6, Milton Monico 0, Kapena Fitzgerald 3, Micah Agcaoili 2.

3-point goals–Le Jardin none. University 5 (Leung 2, Akamine 2, A. Canencia)