Geremy Robinson poured in 25 points as No. 6 Moanalua rallied past Kahuku 66-58 on Monday night in the semifinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball playoffs.
Moanalua (19-6 overall) will meet Kailua on Wednesday night for the title. Moanalua last won the league crown in 2011, a back-to-back feat, under then-coach Greg Tacon.
Center DiAeris McRaven had 10 rebounds, eight points and three blocks to counter Kahuku’s powerful attack in the paint. His 6-foot-5 presence and shot-blocking ability were crucial.
“I just knew I couldn’t be afraid of them,” the junior said. “I had to match their intensity.”
McRaven, who is also an outstanding volleyball player, injured his left ankle in the second half. He returned to the game, but left a couple of minutes later, limping off the court. His ankle was wrapped in ice after the game.
“I hurt it a couple of years ago. This isn’t that bad,” he said. “I’ll be back soon, I hope.”
Robbie Sauvao had 12 points and five assists, and Ethan Erickson tallied 11 points and nine rebounds for Kahuku (18-9). Lokana Enos added nine points, all in the first half on 3-for-3 shooting from the 3-point arc. Moanalua opted to faceguard him after that. Kahuku was 6-for-8 from the arc in the first half and 2-for-12 in the second. Enos didn’t get another look from 3 after intermission.
“A couple of teams did that to me before,” said Enos, who was guarded primarily by Rocky Ramones. “Maybe I should’ve posted him up.”
Another factor was Moanalua’s decision to extend its man-to-man defense fullcourt after Kahuku opened with a 10-4 lead. Moanalua outrebounded Kahuku 32-31. Na Menehune were also 13-for-27 from the foul line, including 9-for-18 by Robinson.
“It wasn’t particularly pretty, but we were gritty and got the job done,” Moanalua coach Byron Mello said. “Kahuku played well and we were a little slow on (defensive) rotations.”
Robinson scored seven points during a 9-0 run that pushed Na Menehune ahead late in the first quarter.
While Moanalua’s intensity picked up, the Red Raiders pushed the tempo and got hot from the arc in the second quarter.
Moanalua’s fast break was key, as Ramones scored two buckets in transition. Elijah McGruder scored six of his 10 points in the third, banging the offensive glass. After Robinson (five rebounds) found reserve forward Kyle Hughley for an easy layup, Moanalua led 47-45 late in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth stanza, Isaiah Sugiura (eight points, five assists) scored on the break, and then fed McRaven for a two-handed slam to give Moanalua a 56-45 lead.
Kahuku got within 60-52 as Marcus Damuni completed a three-point play, but got no closer as Moanalua kept the floor spread and ate time off the clock.
No. 8 Kailua 60, No. 9 Kapolei 58
Everett Torres-Kahapea banked in a running shot from 10 feet out with 4.1 seconds left to lift the Surfriders over the Hurricanes in a thriller.
The game was tied at 58 when Kailua had the ball in the final 14.2 seconds.
“I wanted Isaiah (Hopson) to screen me at the wing, but I saw (Ja’Shon Carter) overplay the screen,” Torres-Kahapea said. “I went baseline and 31 (Kevin Burkel) tried to take the charge.”
There were 4.1 seconds left after his shot dropped. After a timeout, Kapolei inbounded to Carter, who dribbled past halfcourt on the right sideline and sent a bullet pass to Nathaniel Whitehurst at the left wing. His 3-point try at the buzzer was partially blocked.
Lydell Romero added 12 points and Hopson finished with 11. Kailua (18-11) will meet Moanalua for the league title on Wednesday at McKinley.
Whitehurst led Kapolei with 15 points. Carter and De’Zhaun Stribling tallied 12 each. Kapolei (16-8) was unbeaten in OIA West play and won its quarterfinal game against Kalani 37-35 in overtime.
The Hurricanes scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, getting a fast-break bucket from Andrew Jones for a 48-43 lead. Kailua chipped away and took a 53-52 lead on two free throws by Hopson with 1:42 remaining.
The Surfriders were ahead 58-55 after two foul shots by Torres-Kahapea with 25.3 seconds left. Whitehurst then got fouled in the right corner on a 3-point attempt. He sank all three free throws to tie it at 58 with 14.2 seconds to go.
Kailua then drew up the play for their leading scorer.
