The distance from Senegal to Honolulu is a bit of a stone’s throw, to be sure.
Lamine Diane is getting the most out of all that mileage — 8,927 miles, to be exact. The 6-foot-6 senior set the tone for Findlay Prep’s demonstration of dunking and domination with three slams in the first quarter as the Pilots overwhelmed host ‘Iolani 95-37 on Monday night at the ‘Iolani Classic.
The Pilots (16-0), of Henderson, Nev., were on a mission regardless of their status as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team (MaxPreps) against Hawaii’s defending state champion.
“They’re the home team and they want this team to win,” Findlay Prep coach Paul Washington said. “They’re a great shooting team, so we had to stay on 21 (Bailey Alabanza) and 15 (Sam Wheeler).
“We worked hard, rotating and playing good defense.”
Hugh Hogland, a 6-9 senior, led the Raiders with 11 points, eight boards and three blocks. ‘Iolani trailed 21-0 when Alabanza hit a 3 with seven minutes left in the second quarter.
Findlay Prep started at full throttle defensively and never let up, taking a 19-0 lead after one quarter behind the energy of Diane and the orchestrator, P.J. Washington. Diane finished with a game-high 18 points, six rebounds, five steals and three blocks. Six of his nine field goals were dunks.
“I have to finish at the rim, get into transition and help us play together,” said Diane, who didn’t sit a lot of minutes. “I don’t need a lot of rest. I’m good.”
Paul Washington has a lot of demands of his Pilots, including Diane.
“He’s got a great motor and knack for getting to the ball,” Washington said of Diane. “He’s a lot like (Dennis) Rodman, just not as crazy.”
The coach’s older son, P.J., finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds — 11 boards in the first half — three blocks and five steals with no turnovers.
“He was more of a facilitator tonight,” the coach said. “His brother shot the ball well, too.”
Spencer Washington hit four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. Justin Roberts added 15 points.
Kahuku 56,
De La Salle (Calif.) 51
Jessiya Villa scored 26 points, Samuta Avea 12 and Daniel Fotu 10 as the Red Raiders held off the Spartans.
De La Salle closed to 54-51 with 4.4 seconds left, but Kesi Ah-Hoy hit two free throws to seal it.
Southwind (Tenn.) 47, Kailua 38
Markylan Freeman scored 22 points to power the Jaguars in a come-from-behind win over the Surfriders.
Kailua, led by Christian Mejia’s 11 points, used a 2-3 zone to stifle the Jaguars and take a 34-26 lead late in the third quarter.
Southwind unleashed a tight full-court press in the fourth quarter, resulting in seven Kailua turnovers. Freeman’s second 3-pointer gave his team the lead for good at 40-38.
Oak Hill (Va.) 89,
Dr. Phillips (Fla.) 48
Billy Preston scored 19 points and four other Warriors scored in double figures as Oak Hill outscored the Panthers 28-12 in the second quarter and 26-13 in the third en route to an easy
victory.
Consolation
Kapolei 58, Waiakea 46
Corona del Sol (Ariz.) 83, Punahou 67
Mount Vernon (N.Y.) 96, Waianae 27
Mid-Pacific 42, Kaiser 34