When crunch time arrived, the Kaiser Cougars stopped settling for less.

They went to their dominant post scorer, Chance Kalaugher, who scored 15 of his 21 points in the final quarter as No. 2 Kaiser eked out a 59-55 win over No. 8 Kalaheo on Tuesday night at Ted Fukushima Athletic Complex.

Kaiser is 9-1 in the OIA East with one more game (Moanalua) ahead on Thursday. The win secured a top-seeded spot in the playoffs for the Cougars. Kalaheo dropped to 8-2. Both teams had already sealed first-round byes.

“I’m so happy for these 12 seniors,” Cougars coach Branden Kawazoe said. “Getting a win over a talented Kalaheo team.”

Kalaugher rebounded well, but was not a scoring factor in the first three quarters. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior shot 2-for-10 from the field, mostly on perimeter shots, and had just six points. Then he went to work, attacking from the low post against the Mustangs. He finished with 18 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass in the final eight minutes.

“When he wants to, he can pretty much dominate the paint,” Kalaheo coach Rob Pardini said.

A raucous senior-night crowd certainly helped the home team.

“The crowd really got into it tonight. That get me going a little, all their energy, especially in the final quarter,” Kalaugher said.

It was a tough night for Kaiser’s usually unstoppable scorers. Keoua Mahiko struggled from the field, but kept attacking and finished with 16 points, three boards and five assists. Three of those dimes came on entry passes to Kalaugher in that final quarter. The Cougars finally looked like the team that knocked off a murderer’s row of tough competition during preseason.

Isaiah Lundell added 10 points and four caroms off the bench as Kaiser (23-4 overall) overcame 4-for-16 shooting from the 3-point arc. The Cougars also won despite committing 18 turnovers. They outrebounded Kalaheo 32-27.

Captain Whitlock led Kalaheo with 21 points, including an NBA-distance trey with 18.1 seconds left to bring the Mustangs within 57-52. Moments later, he dished to sophomore Harry Wallace, who swished a wing 3 to cut the lead to 57-55 with two seconds left.

Pardini asked for more time; it seemed that he called timeout with roughly four seconds remaining. His request was denied.

Mahiko then was fouled before the ensuing inbound pass was made and hit two free throws to ice the win.

Kalaheo forward Alex Layi worked against Kalaugher in the post and finished with 14 hard-earned points and five rebounds. But the 6-3 senior and his teammates were practically helpless against a rejuvenated Kalaugher in the late going.

“We were in the game the whole time. We had the lead and we had chances to build on it,” Layi said. “We didn’t capitalize. Credit to them. They’re a good team, but we feel like we beat ourselves.”

The Cougars jumped to a 12-2 lead against the cold-shooting visitors, but they settled for perimeter shots and Kalaheo got back in the game. Kekai Smith, the stellar guard who recently returned from a meniscus injury, hit a corner 3 to spark a 16-7 run that brought Kalaheo within 23-22 at the half.

The lead changed hands seven more times before Lundell, a true blue-collar post man, hustled for a follow shot to tie the game at 37 early in the fourth quarter. Then Lundell raced upcourt and scored on a feed from Kalaugher. His three-point play made it 40-37, sparking a 12-4 run by the Cougars.

A three-point play in the paint by Whitlock cut the lead to 51-49 with less than three minutes to go, but Kalaugher answered with a power move in the post, and after he fed Mahiko for a fast-break layup, the lead was up to six with 33 seconds left.

Kalaugher hustled for a follow shot to open the lead to 57-49 and that was enough to preserve the win.

“He was very aggressive and they have a lot of threats outside,” Whitlock said of Kalaugher and his teammates. “We’ll go back and lick our wounds. There’s nothing we can do now but get better.”

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ILH DIVISION II BOYS

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St. Francis 69, Christian Academy 26

Noah Kurosawa scored a team-high 14 points as the Saints remained unbeaten in league play.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Isaiah Harris 14, Zach Benigno 0, Preston Ferry 0, Rylie Schenbeck Chang 3, Bryson Stride 0, Matt Tokuda 3, Jacob Salas 0, Dakota Fisher 0, Hollis Tam 0, Brayden Salas 6, Cody Fisher 0, James Kakazu 0.
ST. FRANCIS—Supilani Mailei 3, Kameron Ng 13, Bryce Nishida 6, Noah Kurosawa 14, Boris Vukovic 8, Bubba Akana 1, JJ Paaluhi-Caulk 5, Wembley Mailei 10, Micah Kalei 7, Laulala Fietonu 2.
3-point goals—Christian Academy 3 (Harris 2, Tokuda). St. Francis 6 (Kurosawa 2, Ng 2, Nishida 2 ).

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Hanalani 72, Hawaii Baptist 60

Jesse Leaman scored a game-high 21 points as the Royals knocked off the Eagles.

HANALANI—Jesse Leaman 21, Jacob Saito 8, Reyn Romero 6, Aaron Leong 19, Tyler Iguchi 0, Herbert Cacal 0, Ryan Kaneshiro 1, Zane Pantil 17.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Brandon Hirokawa 3, Matt Sakai 0, Tanner Miyoi 0, Micah Mitchell 12, Logan Takeda 0, Brett Miller 0, Max Weimken 15, Kellen Takatsuka 19, Ty Minatoya 5, Cole Galicinao 0, Adam Kikuta 2, Payton Lee 0, Bryson Gonzalez 4.
3-point goals—Hanalani 6 (Leaman 2, Saito 2, Leong, Pantil). Hawaii Baptist 10 (Takatsuka 5, Weimken 2, Hirokawa, Minatoya, Mitchell).

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ILH DIVISION III BOYS

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Assets 56, Hawaiian Mission 43

AJ Ulufale’s had a team-high 17 points and Trevor Middleton added 13 to lead the Admirals past the Knights.

Hawaiian Mission was led by Reid Kim’s 17 points.

ASSETS—Kainoa Coarsey 7, Trevor Middleton 13, Taylor Takata 0, AJ Ulufale 17, Kealoha Garvin 0, David Ruffin 0, Chris Tanaka 0, David Zimmerman 10, James Kakazu 2, Christian Wacker 7, Justin Hirayama 0, Ikani Naulu 0.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—Mikael French 0, Zach Yamada 0, Reid Kim 17, Logan Earls 12, Austin Ramos 2, Alan Sison 2, Sid Ramirez 0, Caleb Miller 4, Jeff Yamada 3, Ethan Cababat 0, DJ Woo 0, Hayate Ishizuki 0, Joey Domingo 0, Fisher Yu 3.
3-point goals—ASSETS 1 (Coarsey). Hawaiian Mission 2 (Kim, Yu).

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ILH DIVISION I GIRLS

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No. 3 Maryknoll 54, Sacred Hearts 32

Rhianne Omori paced the Spartans with nine points in their win over the Lancers.

SACRED HEARTS—Zoe-Ann Yamamoto 6, Rebekah Auld 0, Pakalana Kam 2, Kyla Nascimento 0, Dallas Martinez 8, Rachel McDaniel 3, Jessica Hanashiro 11, Ka’iulani Harrington 0, Destiny Kaumatule 0, Trinity Martin 0, Sade Mizusawa 2, Shaydee Afoa 0, Tyson Noquez-Epil 0, Kiana Clarke 0, Kacey Chong 0, Jaimee Manupuna 0, Ui Apao 0.
MARYKNOLL—Kamalu Kamakawiwo’ole 8, Alexis Delovio 6, Rhianne Omori 9, Georgette Steitzel 2, Dakota Vienna 5, Isabella Cravens 7, Chayse Milne 6, Lindsey Lee 1, Kehau Gilliland 4, Ysabelle Halemano 1, Sierra Murobayashi 5, Moenongi Notoa 0, Rhyenne Filisi 0.
3-point goals—Sacred Hearts 1 (Hanashiro). Maryknoll 3 (Murobayashi, Omori, Viena).

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No. 8 ‘Iolani 55, Kamehameha 52

Emily Nomura scored 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Raiders rallied past the Warriors.

Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk and Kiana Vierra each scored 13 points for Kamehameha.

‘IOLANI—Emily Nomura 14, Brooke Maeda 7, Sierra Buscher 0, Kelsi Ikeda 7, Taylor Wu 11, Camy Aguinaldo 10, Tori Lynn Maeda 4, Kawai Kahalehoe 0, Skylar Nakata 2.
KAMEHAMEHA—Bailey Chan 0, Laycee Pasion 0, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 13, Rylee-Ann Kauahikaua 7, Krista-Denise Matsumura 0, Starr Richardson 2, Mikiala Maio 5, Kiana Vierra 13, Cassidy Keola 0, Kalina Obrey 10, Anoipua Kaaloa 2.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 3 (Aguinaldo, Ikeda, Wu). Kamehameha 4 (Paaluhi-Caulk 3, Vierra).

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ILH DIVISION II GIRLS

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University 43, Hanalani 29

Karley Ann Yoshioka scored 21 points and Tyra Goo Sun added 10 in the Jr. ’Bows’ victory over the Royals.

UNIVERSITY—Alexis Perriera 0, Cassidy Gelacio 3, British Dawson 3, Tyra Goo Sun 10, Kyra Young 4, Addie Ortiz 0, Ti Posiulai 2, Karley Ann Yoshioka 21.
HANALANI—Isabelle Aki 5, Rebekah Yamada 2, Alexa Nava 6, Jonnisty Monalim 5, Alyssa Spurling 1, Keila Tsutsui 2, Kiara Peterson 8.
3-point goals—University 3 (Yoshioka 2, Gelacio). Hanalani 1 (Aki).

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Hawaii Baptist 43, St. Francis 29

Stephanie Dang scored 14 points to lead the undefeated Eagles over the Saints. Kelli Okubo led St. Francis with 13 points.

ST. FRANCIS—Haley Yoshioka 0, Kelli Okubo 13, Kahili Liu-Hanohano 0, Ka‘imi Kalei 4, Rya Ornog 0, Misiona Ribeiro 6, Skye Ah Yat 6, Zayla Sismar-Evangelista 0, Dayna Romero 0, Olivia Vaeatangitau 0.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Ally Wada 12, Ashley Benn 0, Cassidy Wada 6, Caitlen Joy Ramos 2, Katelyn Nakagawa 0, Keisha Ching 0, Kyley Nakagawa 9, Stephanie Dang 14, Morgan Lorenzo 0.
3-point goals—St. Francis none. Hawaii Baptist 4 (Ky. Nakagawa 2, Dang 2).

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Mid-Pacific 49, La Pietra 18

Brillie Kovaloff scored 13 points as the Owls defeated the Panthers.

MID-PACIFIC—Harley Simon 2, Margaret Leung 0, Kayla Muraoka 1, Tylee Wong 11, Kerry Chun 0, Emma Porter 2, Payton Antonio 2, Ciera Kameehonua 10, Marjorie Cheng-Leever 0, Judy Phan 8, Brillie Kovaloff 13, Brenda Huynh 0, Samantha Uyehara 0.
LA PIETRA—Kristiana Petrie 0, Shayden Glenn 0, Jaresha Gladney 2, Tommianne Brockert 0, Nicole Yarbrough 0, Tia Thompson 14, Pumehana Uslan 0, Samaya Gorham 2, Kiara Miller 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 6 (Wong 3, Kovaloff 2, Kameehonua). La Pietra 1 (Thompson).

Also
Damien 51, Le Jardin 25

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DIVISION III GIRLS

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St. Andrew’s 43, Lutheran 33
Island Pacific 45, Christian Academy 43

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OIA EAST BOYS

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KALAHEO—Andrew Kearney 0, Kekai Smith 10, Captain Whitlock 21, Kela Thomas 0, Ryan Pardini 4, Abel Kanehe 0, Harry Wallace 6, Alex Layi 14.
KAISER—Keoua Mahiko 16, Jalen Pinks 0, Kamu Scheer 2, Isaiah Lundell 10, Isaiah Akiona 6, Nic Tom 4, Jonah Chinen 0, Chance Kalaugher 21, Ethan Hollandsworth 0.
3-point goals—Kalaheo 6 (Whitlock 3, Smith 2, Wallace). Kaiser 4 (Akiona 2, Kalaugher 2).
Junior varsity—Kalaheo 54, Kaiser 50

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Kahuku 49, Kailua 46

Hirkley Latu’s game-high 16 points lifted the Red Raiders past the Surfriders.

Kieran Spencer and Bradlee Anae also reached the double-digit plateau for Kahuku, scoring 10 points each.

Zach Marrotte paced Kailua with 14 points.

KAHUKU—Kenny Spencer 0, Codie Sauvao 5, Kieran Spencer 10, Ethan Christensen 0, Mark Viloria 0, Mhelvic Juan 0, Hirkley Latu 16, Kawika Akina 0, Aaron Souza 0, Bradlee Anae 10, Taimona Wright 6, Stennett Alapa 2.
KAILUA—Ronske Inere Jr. 0, Everett Torres-Kahapea 3, Noah Ah Yat 3, Zach Marrotte 14, Paul Keoni Serikawa Jr. 1, Noah Auld 4, Hano Kohatsu 8, Christian Mejia 9, Jonah Kalai 4, Bernard Verano 0, Greg Campos 0.
3-point goals—Kahuku 1 (Latu). Kailua 3 (Marrotte 2, Torres- Kahapea).
Junior varsity—Kailua 38, Kahuku 31

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Kalani 47, Castle 42

Toby Mitchell scored 13 points and Kobe Ikari added 10 as the Falcons beat the Knights.

KALANI—Kalei Packer 0, Jamie Harris 5, Chase Santos 0, Kobe Ikari 10, Akea Tolentino 6, Max Pepe 2, Micah Kawano 2, Toby Mitchell 13, Evan Chiu 0, Kapaa Nishimura 2, John Lam 1, Trey Sumida 4, Sione Vea-Kava 2.
CASTLE—Jeremy McGoldrick 13, Elton Naki 5, Kaipo Padwell 2, Keola Lewis 0, Paul Tyquiengco 0, Jaypete Sisra 0, Jorden Ne 4, Russell Portela 2, Ashten Soderberg 9, Lukela Hoapili 0, Pehonsis Sisra 7, Chris Blecha 0.
3-point goals—Kalani 2 (Tolentino 2). Castle 5 (McGoldrick 2, A. Soderberg 2, Sisra).
Junior varsity—Kalani 37, Castle 16

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McKinley 55, Anuenue 23

Josh Kanazawa scored 17 points as the Tigers defeated Na Koa.

Anuenue’s Kamanaopono Grace Kekawa had eight points.

ANUENUE—Kamanaopono Grace Kekawa 8, Pekelo Hokama-Kealohi 0, Kuhio Kaaekuahiwi 6, Moi Edwards 3, Lino Kauaula 4, Hemakana Kauaipaula 2.
MCKINLEY—Lane Laroya 4, Josh Kanazawa 17, Kevin Nagasawa 4, Joseph Timonio 5, Gladwyn Balinbin 4, Isaac Lu 5, Dan Villejo 5, Treyson Furuta 0, Huthifa Abdel-Juwad 8, Kyle Coloyan 3.
3-point goals—Anuenue none. McKinley 6 (Kanazawa 3, Lu, Timonio, Vallejo).

Also
Varsity boys
Kaimuki 61, Roosevelt 32
Moanalua 77, Farrington 64
Junior varsity boys
Farrington 64, Moanalua 50

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OIA WEST BOYS

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No. 6 Leilehua 43, Radford 28

Joseph Gouty scored 16 points, Trey Boatwright added 14 and the Mules jumped out to a 20-2 first-quarter lead in a victory over the Rams.

RADFORD—Sean Musrasrik 2, Jordan Gober 4, Santino Calloway 5, Deontae Williams 0, Jamal Hill 0, Jordan Annaguey 0, Max Philson 2, Brandon Campbell 4, Eiji Graves 0, Cameron Copeland 0, Jake Tufts 3, Ace Faumui 4, Tjader De Alba 0, David Faletoi 2, Jeremy Ramos 2.
LEILEHUA—Trey Boatwright 14, Linus Asher 0, Charles Watson 3, Joseph Gouty 16, Keion Anderson 0, Jostin Gampayon 0, Nicholas Duran 8, Christian Alvarez 0, Anterrio Gainwell Jr. 2.
3-point goals—Radford 1 (Calloway). Leilehua 2 (Duran, Gouty).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 47, Radford 40

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Waianae 52, Campbell 41

Natano Namulauti scored 11 points and Douglas Mitchell added 10 in the Seariders’ win over the Sabers.

Ryan Cabanilla scored 14 points for Campbell, which trailed 31-13 at halftime.

WAIANAE—Kade Ambrocio 8, Natano Namulauti 11, Jaren Ulu 3, Douglas Mitchell 10, Wela Waiwaiole 0, Manu Taukolo 8, Brendan Ayala 3, Dallas Ranada 0, Blaise Kahikina 8, Tarence Mann 1, Jared Elizares 0, Jordan Ravera 0.
CAMPBELL—Zane Arata 3, Ryan Cabanilla 14, Christian Corpuz 7, Reginald Knowles 4, Juwan McCaskill 0, Zach Arata 0, Ethan Galisa 0, Eron Flores 0, Jaiden Davis 4, Eric Lautzenheiser 6, Maxwell Tupua-Tau 0, Maunakea Matthews-Medeiros 3.
3-point goals—Waianae 2 (Namulauti, Ulu). Campbell 4 (Corpuz 2, Zane Arata, Cabanilla).
Junior varsity—Campbell 49, Waianae 24

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Kapolei 60, Nanakuli 50

Ian Manuel scored 11 points as the Hurricanes defeated the Golden Hawks. Iverson Sione scored a game-high 20 points for Nanakuli.

KAPOLEI—Ian Manuel 11, Isiah Higa 9, Tolentino Martinez 0, Jayson Manapul 2, Oshiua Alston 0, Zoar Nedd 9, Deyvont Martinez 3, Jashon Carter 3, Isaiah Taylor 0, Dillon Pakele 2, Kamakana Cunningham 0, Jeremiah Sanchez 8, Saiona Faumuina 7, Alika Bantolina 6.
NANAKULI—Darius Irvin 7, Iverson Sione 20, Lejje Harry 2, Moustapha Wagne 8, Daniel Lopez 5, Kaena Anakalea 4, Ian Akaka-Folau 4, Chris Christensen 0.
3-point goals—Kapolei 4 (Manuel 3, D. Martinez). Nanakuli 3 (Sione 2, Irvin).
Junior varsity—Kapolei 34, Nanakuli 25

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Aiea 65, Waipahu 51

Steven Park scored 19 points, Scott Paguirigan added 13 and Kame Kim-Choy-Keb-Ah Lo had 11 as Na Alii beat the Marauders.

Jeminai Solomua finished with 15 points and Airon Castaneda had 13 for Waipahu, which fell behind 21-8 after one quarter.

AIEA—Ariq Vergado-Duclayan 7, Blake Amond 0, Steven Park 19, Kailen Shinmoto 6, Kame Kim-Choy-Keb-Ah Lo 11, Scott Paguirigan 13, Noah Tadena 0, Michael Yamamura 0, Keyson Goins 0, Jayden Chaviera 9.
WAIPAHU—Airon Castaneda 13, Cole Phillips 0, Medard Aranton 0, Kimo Pennington 0, Kainoa Marshall 0, Kameron Tomas 8, Jasper Sebastian 8, Jordan Libby 0, Khrysster Ipalari 0, Dominik Washington 0, Aerianne Paned 2, Jeminai Solomua 15, Jerico Delos Santos 0, Aaron Johnson 0, Gabriel Puni 0, Darren Luab 0, Elijah Taimatuia 5, Dallas Nagaseu 0.
3-point goals—Aiea 4 (Paguirigan 3, Chaviera). Waipahu 4 (Sebastian 2, Tomas 2).
Junior varsity—Waipahu 70, Aiea 62

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Pearl City 48, Mililani 38

Ryan Yamamoto scored 15 points and Sape Tupuola Jr. added 14 as the Chargers rallied past the Trojans.

Matthew Amistoso finished with eight points for Mililani, which was outscored 33-20 in the second half.

MILILANI—Jaden Murashima 3, Maka Chun 6, Taylor Kaneshiro 6, Roman Tovi 4, Isaac Liva 6, Micah Gambol 3, Andrew Valladeras 0, Kaleo Pogue 2, Evan Bergman 0, Matthew Amistoso 8.
PEARL CITY—Sape Tupuola Jr. 14, Kavoisee Mason 2, Gilbert Tapat 6, Pierce McMoore 3, Pono Akiona 6, Ryan Yamamoto 15, Garin Spillner 2, Kamren Estoesta 0, Che Erquiza-Oliveras 0, Christian Punsalan 0.
3-point goals—Mililani 7 (Amistoso 2. Chun 2, Gambol, Kaneshiro, Murashima). Pearl City 5 (Yamamoto 3, McMoore, Tupuola Jr.).
Junior varsity—Mililani 61, Pearl City 25