It was, as Punahou coach Darren Matsuda put it, a crazy finish to a crazy season.
In the end, it was the sanest and savviest of teams that prevailed. Hugh Hogland had 15 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, and Robby Mann swished two foul shots with 6.8 seconds left to help top-seeded ‘Iolani seal a 45-40 win over Punahou to capture the OC 16/HHSAA state boys basketball championship on Saturday night before 3,357 fans at Stan Sheriff Center.
Hogland, a 6-foot-9 junior, was dominant throughout the tourney and was voted most outstanding player.
“When they brought everything at me, the fatigue started coming in, especially after last night. Thanks to Robby and Zach (Gelacio) and our coaches for keeping me focused on the game,” said Hogland, who shot 7-for-8 from the field. “It’s a ton of relief and we sent out the seniors right.”
‘Iolani finished the season 19-9 overall. Punahou, a team loaded with underclassmen, was 27-9.
Mann, a 6-2 junior, had 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and a steal just two nights after nearly breaking his nose in a battle against Baldwin.
“It reflected our whole, entire season. We wanted that grind. We wanted to win so bad,” Mann said. “It got reckless at some points of the season, but at the end we finally started playing as a team. I wish I had one more year to play with Hugh.”
The state crown is the 11th in the program’s history, including three under Dean Shimamoto.
“These kids learned the lesson that if you put in the hard work and follow the game plan, excellent things can happen,” Shimamoto said. “That’s the best part.”
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu season was wild and unpredictable for both ‘Iolani and Punahou, filled with a four-way first-place tie, a tiebreaker series, and then the playoffs and a championship game between the two rival schools.
It was only fitting that they wound up in the final of the state championship.
“They were an extremely good defensive team, probably the best defense in the state,” Matsuda said, not discounting Punahou’s active fullcourt press and spunky halfcourt man defense. “Dean and his team and staff grinded and they deserve this one. I felt we had our shot, and it just didn’t go our way this year.”
The Buffanblu limited ‘Iolani to 44 percent shooting (15-for-34) and grabbed a whopping 13 offensive rebounds. However, the Raiders’ man defense kept a lid on Punahou most of the night. The Buffanblu shot 4-for-18 from 3-point range.
‘Akahi Troske scored eight points and grabbed nine boards to pace Punahou.
The game was locked at 8-all entering the second quarter. The Raiders went ahead on two free throws by Helam Baldomero, and after a strong bucket in the post by Hogland and a 3-pointer from the left wing by Gelacio, ‘Iolani led 15-9.
Mann drove hard to the bucket throughout the second quarter, drawing a foul from Troske. The Punahou center sat with his third personal foul at 5:03, and Mann hit one of his two foul shots. Mann drove for a bucket moments later to give the Raiders their largest lead, 23-16, late in the half.
The game could have turned on an unusual loss of composure by the Raiders during the third quarter. Leading 30-21 after Hogland hustled for a putback, the Raiders saw Cole Arceneaux drive for a layup, and on the ensuing inbounds play, Hunter Lee fouled Gelacio in the backcourt, sending him to the floor. Gelacio responded with some fiery words and was whistled for a technical foul.
Chris Kobayashi hit two free throws as a result, cutting the lead to five, but Punahou got no closer in the third. Mann kept attacking Punahou’s man defense, scoring on a smooth lefty scoop shot.
After Hogland hit a turnaround jump hook near the baseline, ‘Iolani led 37-29 going into the final quarter.
Punahou got revitalized when Lee and Zayne Chong hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and after Chong fed Troske for a layup, the Buffanblu were within 39-37.
An NBA-range 3 by Chong, off an offensive board and assist by Troske, cut the lead to 41-40 with less than two minutes to play.
Hogland hit one of two foul shots for a 42-40 lead with 29 seconds to go. Chong then took a handoff and fired an open, straightaway 3 from 23 feet out that missed just a bit long. The Raiders then got foul shots from Mann to clinch the win.
