No. 3 Punahou’s week just got a lot less stressful.
Instead of needing to play at least three and maybe four more games in the next four days to keep their state tournament hopes alive, the Buffanblu clinched the ILH’s first berth and the first-round title with a 59-52 win over No. 2 ‘Iolani on Tuesday night at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.
Christopher Kobayashi hit six 3-pointers for a team-high 18 points and post Duke Clemens scored all 12 of his points in the first half for the Buffanblu (9-2), who won a three-way tiebreaker for the first-round title with ‘Iolani and Maryknoll.
“To punch our ticket (to the state tournament) early is huge. I think that’s what all of the coaches in our league really desire in that first round,” Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. “We moved the ball well today. When you move the ball and share the ball you get good shots, and we hit big shots today.”
Punahou shot 56.4 percent (22-for-39) from the field and nailed 10 3-pointers to become the first ILH team to beat ‘Iolani by more than two points this season.
The Buffanblu played their first game in eight days, while ‘Iolani, which beat Maryknoll in the first tiebreaker on Monday night, was playing for the fourth time in the past seven days.
“We knew their legs were going to be tired today,” said Kobayashi, who also had a key block late in the game. “They played a couple games in a row and that rest really helped us.”
Hunter Hosoda added nine points with four big free throws down the stretch for the Buffanblu, who never let ‘Iolani get closer than four points in the second half.
Hugh Hogland had 19 points and Justin Genovia added 13 points — all in the second half — for ‘Iolani, which gets a day off before playing in the ILH postseason tournament semifinals against either Maryknoll or Saint Louis.
“(Punahou) hit too many 3s and had too many open looks,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. “They shoot the ball too well to leave them open like that.” ‘Iolani trailed 30-22 at the break before getting within five in a frenzied third quarter.
Kobayashi stopped what looked like was going to be an ‘Iolani run with one of three 3-pointers made in a span of 1:42 in the third quarter that kept the momentum on the home team’s side.
‘Iolani trailed 57-52 with 38 seconds left in the game when Hogland air-balled a quick 3 from the top of the key.
Punahou missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and the Raiders had another chance to make it a one-possession game when Kobayashi blocked a layup attempt by Helam Baldomero that helped seal the deal.
“I just tried to jump as high as I can and tried to get a tip on it,” Kobayashi said. “It feels good, but it really was our defense all game that wore them down.”
The ILH tournament begins today with Kamehameha hosting Mid-Pacific in one game and the Spartans hosting the Crusaders in the other.
Punahou will get the winner between the Warriors and Owls and can clinch the outright ILH championship with wins in its next two games.
“This (win) takes a lot of stress off for the tournament and we get a day to rest and prepare for our next game,” Matsuda said. “We’ll start preparing for either Kamehameha or Mid-Pacific right now.”
ILH Division II Boys Playoffs
University 69, Hawaii Baptist 52
Charles Fox had 21 points, helping the Jr. ’Bows overcome a 33-point outburst from the Eagles’ Micah Mitchell.
Le Jardin 56, Damien 52
Jerry Lawson had a game-high 27 points, and Charlie Abe added 12, as the Bulldogs edged the Monarchs in the ILH playoffs.
Shaun Apiki had 15 points, and Jayden Peters-DeLaura added 12 for Damien.
