Hot start helps Kalani defeat Kamehameha | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kalani’s Cory Mitchell got hacked as he drove to the basket while being guarded by Kamehameha’s Kekaula Kaniho, left, and Nakoa Pauole in the fourth quarter of the OIA-ILH Challenge at Moanalua gym. Mitchell scored 15 points to lead the Falcons past the Warriors.

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Cory Mitchell scored 15 points and Jaron Yamauchi added 10 as Kalani stifled Kamehameha 52-39 on Friday at the OIA-ILH Challenge at Moanalua High gym.

The Falcons (2-3) swished four 3-pointers in the first quarter and used a stingy man-to-man defense to take a 25-9 lead late in the second quarter.

Fatu Sua-Godinet drove for a layup at the halftime buzzer, and the Warriors went on a mini-run to cut the score to 25-17 early in the third quarter.

Kalani, which had switched to a 2-3 zone, went back to its rugged man defense and regained momentum.

Kamehameha got within 27-22 on free throws by Sua-Godinet, but no closer.

Alex Tungpalan’s trey from the left corner opened the lead to 37-25 to start the fourth quarter, and Kalani used its motion offense to chew off chunks of time off the shot clock.

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Sua-Godinet, the lone senior, led Kamehameha with 14 points. The Warriors dropped to 3-2 in nonconference play.

The Falcons narrowed their rotation in this game while Kamehameha coach Greg Tacon continued to play his full roster.

Kalani used its speed economically.

"We’re finally starting to get some chemistry," Kalani coach Nathan Davis said. "Our guys are getting settled into this. We want to push the ball every chance we get, push it intelligently and hit the open man."