‘Iolani, Kalaheo in D-I final

Zach Gelacio swished a jump shot from the right corner with six seconds left, lifting ‘Iolani to a 29-27 win over Campbell in the semifinals of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Basketball Division I State Championships.

The win sent defending champion ‘Iolani into the tourney final for the 14th time. The Raiders have won 10 state crowns. 

Gelacio led ‘Iolani (18-7), the runner-up from the ILH, with 10 points. 

"We were actually supposed to pass the ball inside to Hugh (Hogland), but he saw me open," said Gelacio, a junior guard. "I’ve made that shot a thousand times at practice." 

The Sabers hesitated after Gelacio’s shot swished through the net, inbounding the ball before calling timeout with 3.6 seconds to play. Their inbounds pass was deflected by Hogland near midcourt and controlled by Gelacio, who was fouled with 0.8 seconds left. Gelacio made the first free throw and missed the second. Campbell got the rebound and called timeout with two-tenths of a second left. Michael Merchant’s halfcourt prayer fell short, grazing the front of the rim. 

A Campbell win would have put two public schools in the D-I state final for the first time since 1996. It would have been the Sabers’ first trip to the title game. Jayce Bantolina led the Sabers with nine points. 

The Sabers led for the first three quarters, but ‘Iolani rallied and took a 26-25 lead on Gelacio’s free throw with 1:27 remaining. 

Campbell went ahead 27-26 with 32 seconds left on David Marrero’s layup on an inbounds play.

The Raiders then called two time outs before setting up the winning play. Gelacio ran from the left wing, behind the defense, to the right corner, where he was wide open. 

Hogland had nine points and seven rebounds, but the Raiders once again won in a slow, grinding chess match. They seem to thrive on it. 

"It was an ugly game by all accounts," coach Dean Shimamoto said. "But it doesn’t matter how you get the win. Just survive. They keep believing. They stick with the game plan and we’re here because of them." 

‘Iolani had more turnovers (14) than field goals (11) and shot just 39 percent from the field, and just 7-for-13 at the foul line. But they outrebounded Campbell 26-18, hustling for eight offensive boards, including three by Kamu Borden. 

Campbell shot 34 percent from the field (12-for-35) and took just two free throws in the entire game, missing both. The Sabers had 10 turnovers. Merchant had five steals and five points. 

The first 16 minutes were a defensive struggle pitting the 6-foot-8 Hogland the 6-7 Marrero. In similar fashion to their opening-round game against Leilehua, the Raiders started slowly. 

Campbell roared to a 9-0 lead, while the Raiders struggled to get good looks against a 1-2-2 matchup zone. After Jomar "Jett" Gapusan sank a wing 3, Campbell had a 12-2 lead late in the first quarter. 

After Michael Merchant drove and fed Marrero for a layup, the Sabers had their biggest lead, 14-3, early in the second quarter. 

‘Iolani closed the gap a bit with free throws by Robby Mann with four seconds left in the half, cutting the lead to 16-10. 

"I thought we got good opportunities early," Shimamoto said. "Their defense had a lot to do with it, but I felt like if we could start knocking down some shots at a decent percentage, we’d be OK."

Bryson Hamada provided a spark in the second half and finished with three steals and two assists. 

Now the Raiders have the task of facing an OIA powerhouse. 

"We’ve got to come out and play 110 percent because we know these two teams (Kahuku and Kalaheo) are very good," Gelacio said. 

‘IOLANI–Robby Mann 2, Zack Gelacio 10, Bryson Hamada 4, Erik Yamada 1, John Lee 0, Pikai Winchester 2, Kamu Borden 1, Hugh Hogland 9.

CAMPBELL–Jomar Jett Gapusan 3, Michael Merchant 5, Jayce Bantolina 9, Lamart Dudley 4, MeShack Leapaga 0, Zachary Arata 0, Alika Bantolina 0, Alphonzo Gamble 0, David Marrero 6, Isaiah Gibson 0.

3-point goals–‘Iolani none. Campbell 3 (Gapusan, Merchant, J. Bantolina).

Kalaheo 36, Kahuku 35

Kupaa Harrison has a penchant for stepping up in the clutch. 

The 6-foot-5 senior scored 19 points, including a fast-break 3-point bomb to give his team the lead for good with 1:27 left, as Kalaheo edged Kahuku in va thriller at Stan Sheriff Center. 

The win propelled unseeded Kalaheo (30-3), the OIA’s third-place team, into the final of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Boys Basketball Division I State Championships. The Mustangs will meet defending champion ‘Iolani at 7 p.m. 

Little more than a week ago, Kalaheo and Kahuku were ranked No. 1 and 2 in the state. After losing in the OIA playoffs to Farrington, they wound up in a tough bracket with top seed Punahou, marking what some coined the "group of death." 

Harrison’s go-ahead trey wasn’t the end of the drama. After Keanu Akina missed a runner, Kalaheo got the rebound and was able to run time off the clock. However, Kaleb Gilmore, still playing after injuring his right ankle in the opening minutes, lost control of the ball after colliding with Kahuku’s Denhym Brooke with 9.6 seconds left. 

After conferring, officials determined that it was Kahuku’s possession. 

The Red Raiders called two timeouts to set up an inbounds play from midcourt. Their first option, an alley-oop lob to Samuta Avea, was not available. With time running out, Akina drove through the top and tossed up a double-pump scoop shot from the left elbow. His shot hit the front of the rim and fell off, and Kesi Ah-Hoy’s follow shot was too late, missing anyway.

The shot was reminiscent of Harrison’s cold-blooded shooting two years ago as a role player on Kalaheo’s 2013 title team.

"They kept jamming our break, but they only had two or three guys back," Harrison said. "It just happened that way. Kaleb got a lot of attention and we wanted to get the ball on the wing. I got it and luckily it went down." 

KAHUKU–Kesi Ah-Hoy 2, Alohi Gilman 2, Tamamoko Green 6, Keanu Akina 2, Samuta Avea 6, Denhym Brooke 14, Hyrum Harris 3.

KALAHEO–Zachary Marrotte 3, Kekai Smith 7, Alexander Macleod 3, Captain Whitlock 0, Kaleb Gilmore 4, Jalen Kuhia Smith 0, Kupaa Harrison 19.

3-point goals–Kahuku 3 (Avea 2, Green). Kalaheo 4 (Harrison 2, Macleod, Marrotte).

FIFTH-PLACE SEMIFINALS

Lahainaluna 63, Farrington 54

LAHAINALUNA–Marvin Sidon 18, Kalalani Kaaikala 2, Calvin Chapital 13, Renzo Corpuz 2, Gage Johnson 0, Cyrus Kama 6, Ryan Madera 22. 

FARRINGTON–Kaohu Kealoha 0, Ranan Mamiya 22, Nicholle Selga 4, Tuamasaga Unutoa 8, Jacob Smith 8, Makana Correia 0, Jay-ar Sebastian 0, Bernard Dela Cruz 2, Kapono Kakalia 0, Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo 4, Montana Liana 6, Allan Duldulao 0, Hezekiah Iaea 0.

3-point goals–Lahainaluna 5 (Chapital 3, Sidon 2). Farrington 3 (Mamiya 2, Smith).

Punahou 83, Konawaena 40

KONAWAENA–Naea-Kaya Leleiwi 0, Austin Ewing 6, Torin Savella 0, Ka’anoi Rivera-Kelekolio 2, Kupono Kane 2, Seau Amor 0, Austin Aukai 3, Maitland Akau 4, Kevin Medeiros 9, Cameron Howes 10, Ryan Malone 0, Kelsan Cacoulidis 4, Reyson Ching 0, Jordan Kikugawa 0.

PUNAHOU–Randon Oda 3, Jordan Tanuvasa 3, Chris Kobayashi 10, Micah Maa 10, JB Kam 6, Dayson Watanabe 8, Kalaianakupu Santos 3, Wil Stanley 5, Hunter Lee 5, Cole Arceneaux 0, Kanawai Noa 6, Ronley Lakalaka 5, Alexander Kidani 5, Akahi Troske 12, Jack-Eli Tufono 2.

3-point goals–Konawaena 1 (Howes). Punahou 12 (Kam 2, Kobayashi 2, Watanabe 2, Kidani, Lakalaka, Noa, Oda, Santos, Tanuvasa).

CONSOLATION FINAL

Moanalua 52, Leilehua 42

LEILEHUA–Christian Alvarez 0, Jarron Kim-Raguirag 3, Liam Fitzgerald 4, Latrell Cobb 1, Keion Anderson 0, David Tibayan 6, Diego Aguirresaenz 0, Jayeson Baine 17, Nicholas Duran 5, Koa Kauhi 3, Anterrio Gainwell 1, Jelton Alfonso 0, Milton Kaupoe 2.

MOANALUA–Eric Miyauchi 2, Domenick Bailey 10, Jacob Ramelb 2, Christian Casinas 0, Jacob Matayoshi 0, Rodson Kealohi 0, Darren Fontanilla 4, Karson Kruz 6, Kyrie McRaven 12, AJ Escalante 2, Elijah Davis 0, Sean Musrasrik 0, Devin Leslie 2, Isaiah Jackson 0, James Wilkins 8, RJ Dominguez 2, Mataio Fatuesi 2.

3-point goals–Leilehua 2 (Duran, Baine). Moanalua 1 (Bailey). 

DIVISION II SEMIFINALS

Kalani 37, Hawaii Baptist 32

The Falcons’ scrappy defense picked up 12 steals to edge the Eagles and advance to the Division II championship for the second consecutive year.

Kalani’s Alexander Tungpalan scored a team-high 11 points, followed by Jeremy Robinson’s eight points and eight rebounds.  

Hawaii Baptist’s Isaac Liva posted a double-double with 13 points and 20 rebounds in the loss. 

HAWAII BAPTIST–Michael Dang 5, BJ Hosaka 6, Micah Mitchell 0, Ty Minatoya 6, Isaac Liva 13, Danton Tominaga 2.

KALANI–Cory Mitchell 4, Jaron Yamauchi 2, Alexander Tungpalan 11, David Faletoi 0, Jon Suda 2, Max Pepe 0, Dunavan Hahn 0, Blaise Manabe 6, Kapaa Nishimura 4, Jeremy Robinson 8, John Lam 0.

3-point goals–Hawaii Baptist 2 (Minatoya 2). Kalani 4 (Tungpalan 2, Manabe 2). 

Kaiser 50, Kohala 47

Keoua Mahiko scored 17 points and Isaiah Lundell added 12 as the Cougars advanced to the final.

Kaiser won despite shooting just 13-for-33 from the free-throw line.

The Cougars will face Kalani for the title today at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Kealen Figueroa finished with 16 points for the Cowboys.

KOHALA–Kealen Figueroa 16, Justin Agbayani 6, Shawn Ramos 4, Hana Carvalho 7, Mikala Jordan 9, Kainalu Emeliano-Solomon 0, Chance Pang 3, Maui Hook 0, Kama’alea Emeliano-Solomon 2.

KAISER–Keoua Mahiko 17, Kelsey Lewis 6, Isaiah Lundell 12, Nic Tom 6, Chance Kalaugher 7, Jalen Pinks 0, Isaiah Akiona 0, Jonah Chinen 2.

3-point goals–Kohala 3 (Figueroa, Jordan, Pang). Kaiser 1 (Mahiko).

DIVISION II CONSOLATION

Pahoa 74, Kauai 70

KAUAI–Charvis Garma 2, Jassem Cumlat 28, Michael Booth 5, Camren Henry 3, Melsin Tingzon 8, Lanakila Wilson 3, Jake Herbig 2, Tyler Fernandez 1, Josaiah Coatie 12, Braden Armstrong 0, Solomone Manupule 6, Kekoa Tecson-Kalani Jr. 0.

PAHOA–Keinan Agonias 26, Joel Rosario Jr. 3, Tolby Saito 34, Torrell Thomas 7, Kilinaheho Oliveira 2, Kallen Cardines 0, Kealii Luis 0, William Stinnett 2.

3-point goals–Kauai 11 (Cumlat 6, Coatie 2, Booth, Henry, Wilson). Pahoa 8 (Saito 4, Agonias 3, Rosario Jr.)

Damien 66, Seabury Hall 55

SEABURY HALL–Paxton Malek 0, Jordan Haylor 3, Rip Pahukoa 10, Bryce Barbier 3, Jaxson Stinger 11, Isaiah Payne 5, Cameron Hanish 11, Christian Jenkins 6, Michael Chasten 6. 

DAMIEN–Crummel Mooring 8, Ernie Kornya IV 7, Reggie Luinoras 4, Kapiina King 22, Shaun Apiki 4, Kobe Ikari 9, Kolin Galdiano 0, Malik Adeniji 0, Storm Maldonado 8, Brandon Galang  4.

3-point goals–Seabury Hall 5 (Hanish 2, Haylor, Payne, Stinger). Damien 1 (Kornya IV).