‘Iolani sped out to an early lead then held off a Saint Louis rally and tightened the ILH Division I boys basketball race with a 49-43 win on Wednesday at McCabe Gym.

The Raiders led by as many as 14 in the first half before the host Crusaders made a surge to close to within a bucket twice in the second half. But ‘Iolani managed to stay a step ahead in the fourth quarter and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line in the final 1:39 to hold on for its third straight win.

"What was good is we were able to play fast early, and we were also able to grind it out,’ ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. "To be able to play at those two speeds and still be successful, that’s an encouraging thing to see at this point of the season."

With the win, No. 4 ‘Iolani (5-2) closed to within a game of league leader Punahou (6-1), which suffered its first loss of the regular season on Tuesday against Maryknoll. 

Saint Louis guard Kevin Marks came off the bench and scored 16 of his game-high 18 points in the second half, but the sixth-ranked Crusaders (3-4) dropped their third straight to fall into a tie for third with Maryknoll. They continue a rugged stretch in the schedule by facing Punahou on Saturday.

‘Iolani center Kamu Borden led a balanced Raiders attack with 10 points and Hugh Hogland added seven off the bench. In all, six ‘Iolani players had at least five points as the Raiders earned a split of the regular-season series with Saint Louis.

"Coming off the loss (to Saint Louis) we wanted to fix some of the things we didn’t do so well in the first game against them, especially our effort," ‘Iolani point guard Erik Yamada said. 

Saint Louis coach Keith Spencer also noted the loose balls the Crusaders tracked down in a 35-31 win on Jan 10, predominantly ended up in the Raiders’ hands in the rematch.

"They made the plays tonight. They got the loose balls, the hustle rebounds and we lacked that part tonight," Spencer said. "The first time we played ‘Iolani, we beat them to the ball every time."

‘Iolani was quicker out of the blocks on Wednesday and bolted to a 12-2 lead in the first quarter. The Raiders then went on a 10-point run in the second to open up a 24-10 lead. ‘Iolani shot 10-for-18 from the field in the first half, while Saint Louis went 7-for-27. 

But the Crusaders closed the second quarter with a 6-0 spurt then scored the first four points of the third to close the gap further.

‘Iolani led 33-28 going into the fourth quarter and Marks kept the Crusaders within striking distance in scoring the Crusaders’ first eight points of the period.

Marks’ 3-pointer cut ‘Iolani’s lead to 39-36 with 2:47 left, but Robby Mann answered with two free throws and the Raiders handled Saint Louis’ pressure efficiently enough to close out the win from the foul line.

"We’re still learning how to do that, we’re still learning how to be gritty," Shimamoto said. "We have good ball handlers, they just haven’t been in these scenarios before beside Erik. 

"They have to learn how to get open, learn how to deal with the bumps and the banging and still keep the ball, how to finish free throws, How to get stops.

"Having this type of game is great for us, because, one, we got the win and, two, we also learned a lot."

‘IOLANI–Helam Baldomero 0, Robby Mann 7, Zack Gelacio 8, Bryson Hamada 3, Shane Lay 4, Eric Yamada 5, John Lee 0, Pikai Winchester 5, Kamu Borden 10, Hugh Hogland 7.

SAINT LOUIS–Ihaka Johnson 4, Jimmy Nunuha III 9, Kevin Marks 18, Jaymason Nunuha 6, Colton Nascimento 0, Drew Kobayashi 4, Jace Smalley 2, Chris Sykes 0, Lance Sataraka 0.

3-point goals–‘Iolani 2 (Winchester, Gelacio). Saint Louis 5 (Ja. Nunuha 2, Marks 2, Ji. Nunuha 1).

ILH DIVISION II BOYS

Hanalani 49, Damien 41

Jeff Schaake recorded 14 points to lift the Royals over the Monarchs, who got 22 from Kapi King.

DAMIEN–Shawn Apiki 2, Kapi King 22, Kobe Ikari 9, Storm Maldonaldo 4, Kolin Galdiano 0, Brandon Galang 1, Crummel Mooring 0, Malik Adenji 0, Reggie Luinoras 1, Ezekiel Naum 2. 

HANALANI–Jeff Schaake 14, Chaz Kubo 10, Zane Pantil 8, Kenan Cooper 8, Josh Rotz 4, Aaron Leong 3, Connor Kaneshiro 2.

3-point goals–Damien none. Hanalani 5 (Schaake 2, Kubo, Leong, Pantil).

ALSO,

Le Jardin 67, St. Francis 64

ILH DIVISION III BOYS

Assets 54, Lanakila Baptist 51

Kainoa Coarsey scored 17 points, Kris Komon added 13 and AJ Ulufale had 12 as the Admirals held off the Warriors.

Assets’ Carter Keawai hit two free throws with seven seconds remaining and Lanakila Bapitist missed a shot in the closing seconds.

Jerrold Mariano finished with 22 points for the Warriors, who trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter.

LANAKILA BAPTIST–Keanu Ciskowsky 13, Chase Renteria 0, Rocnie Filipe 0, Allister Valenzuela 0, Brian Kizzy 0, Ramon Shubert 0, Geo Julian 2, Caleb Kemple 2, Jerrold Mariano 22, Joshua Carlton 12.

ASSETS–Kainoa Coarsey 17, AJ Ulufale 12, Carter Keawai 8, David Fujimoto 2, Kris Komon 13, Christian Wacker 0, Trevor Middleton 0, Chris Tanaka 0,  Aiden Matsura 2, Ikani Naulu 0, Justin 

Hirayama 0.

3-point goals–Lanakila Baptist 4 (Ciskowsky 2, Mariano 2). Assets 2 (Keawai, Coarsey).

OIA GIRLS JV CHAMPIONSHIP

Castle 55, Kaimuki 38