ILH runner-up Punahou got 22 points and five steals from Zayne Chong, while center Duke Clemens scored 16 points on 8-for-13 shooting to power the Buffanblu over Moanalua 75-69 in a fast-paced semifinal battle.
“The bench said keep attacking and go at him,” Clemens said of his battle with Moanalua’s 6-foot-5 sophomore DeAeris McRaven.
Caleb Casinas led Moanalua with 21 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Geremy Robinson added 18 points and Saige Pulu finished with 13 points and six boards.
Punahou (28-4 overall including nonconference games) will meet Kahuku, the OIA runner-up, in a rematch of last season’s state final. The teams met on Dec. 20 at the St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic, with Punahou winning on a controversial last-second shot that photos showed should have been disallowed.
Moanalua (18-13 overall), the fifth-place team from the OIA, had a strong run in the state tourney. Na Menehune battled tough in the paint, but Punahou won the battle of the boards 37-24, clutching 15 offensive caroms.
“I think we’re going to win,” Clemens said of the championship game against Kahuku. “Everyone’s playing good right now. We need to take away their big man (Tolu Smith) and play tough D.”
The Buffanblu built a 17-point second-half lead with Cole Arceneaux (11 points, six rebounds), Chong and Hunter Hosoda darting across the floor and running Punahou’s fast break. Tamatoa Falatea added 10 points off the bench.
Down 65-47, Moanalua chipped away in the final 2:38, sending Punahou to the foul line. Punahou shot just 10-for-20 at the line during that stretch, and after Pulu drove for a bucket, Na Menehune were within 72-66 with 30 seconds to play. Moments later, Casinas drained a 22-footer from the top and it was 73-69.
Chong hit two free throws in the final 12.7 seconds to give Punahou its final margin of victory.
Punahou is seeking its 10th state title and its first since 2012.
