With Kalaheo down two starters, the opportunity was there for University High to make a statement.

Instead, the Mustangs roared to a 19-3 lead without Kupaa Harrison and Kaleb Gilmore and cruised to a 53-29 win over the Junior Rainbows on Saturday afternoon at the Hawaii Self-Storage Black and Gold Classic.

The only real test, apparently, was in the morning, when Harrison and Gilmore took the SAT at Damien. The Mustangs went unbeaten in the tourney (3-0), getting quality play from underclassmen Jalen Smith and Captain Whitlock. Smith pumped in 10 points and Whitlock added nine as the Mustangs dissected UHS’ man-to-man defense. Kekai Smith added seven.

Gilmore arrived during the second quarter with his team already up 16 points. Harrison got there at the same time, but sat out. His left ankle was elevated on a chair with a bag of ice on it. The 6-foot-4 swingman injured the ankle during Kalaheo’s 60-48 win over Campbell on Friday.

"It’s about a seven," Harrison said, rating the severity of his injury on a scale of one to 10. "I think I’ll be back by next Wednesday."

That’s when Kalaheo, which won the state title in the 2012-13 season, will travel to Maui for the Baldwin Invitational. The Mustangs are scheduled to play host Baldwin and ILH power Maryknoll.

"We were supposed to play them (Maryknoll) in this tourney," Harrison said. "I don’t know what happened."

On Saturday, it was UHS that looked a bit hesitant and fatigued. Kalaheo’s man-to-man defense was tight and persistent. The Mustangs had one plus on its side: Coach Alika Smith had some fresh legs ready to go while Gilmore and Harrison were away. Jr. ‘Bows coach Walt Quitan didn’t have that luxury. Most of his starters, plus a thin bench, had logged big minutes through an overtime loss to McKinley and a win over Kaimuki.

Whitlock, son of former UH guard Tes Whitlock, is just a sophomore, but was in control of the offense. Jalen Smith, a 6-5 freshman, was a scoring threat from the perimeter and patrolled the paint. But it was Alec MacLeod, a 6-2 guard, who did yeoman’s work defensively on the low post against UHS’ 6-4 center, Ryan Hobus.

All in all, it was not much of a test for Kalaheo aside from those SATs. Coach Smith spent the entire game seated quietly next to one of his young sons. The Mustangs’ offensive flow and solid defense had the feel of that title team two seasons ago.

"He hasn’t had to yell at us," Harrison said, pausing. "Yet."

This year’s edition of the Black and Gold Classic had one of its best fields. On Friday, McKinley’s speedy squad stunned Maryknoll’s young Spartans 63-61, the Tigers’ second win over Maryknoll in as many years.

ALSO

Campbell 53, Kaimuki 43
Maryknoll 45, Kalani 35
McKinley 60, Kapolei 53