Akahi Troske found a way to help Punahou rock Saint Louis’ dreams of a regular-season championship.
Plagued by hip and groin injuries much of the season the 6-foot-6 center had his best game of the season, with 16 points as Punahou stunned front-running Saint Louis 70-66 on Thursday night at McCabe Gymnasium.
“It feels good to just be able to run without pain,” Troske said. “All of our guys backed me up. It feels good to win, but we’re not done yet.”
Saint Louis lost its third game in a row, including the last two with an automatic state-tournament berth within reach.
Punahou’s shocker threw the ILH regular-season standings into major chaos. The regular season ends with four teams — ‘Iolani, Kamehameha, Punahou and Saint Louis — all at 6-4. ILH basketball coordinator Peter Estomago had already said on Thursday, before the game, that the league would wait to see how the games would shake out before determining a tiebreaker schedule.
Kamehameha and ‘Iolani won their games, setting up a four-way first-place tie. Buffanblu coach Darren Matsuda was told after the game that there will be a mini-tournament among the four teams, with matchups being drawn this morning at the ILH office. Two games will be played on Saturday at sites to be determined, with the ensuing championship game between the winners on Monday.
For this weekend, at least, finding a truly neutral site might be a challenge. Both Punahou and Maryknoll gyms are basically inaccessible due to the Punahou Carnival; Maryknoll opens its parking acreage as a fundraiser to Carnival attendees. ‘Iolani’s gym will be occupied by a wrestling tournament.
For now, the Bufffanblu can celebrate a clutch run of victories — five in a row — that hit a new peak before a frenetic crowd of about 800.
“For us, the change has been within,” Matsuda said. “We’re playing more mature basketball, getting more quality shots. Everyone’s been so unselfish. Besides our 2012 team, this is our first team that’s been this mature.”
Troske scored two quick buckets early in the game, then hit another in the second quarter in addition to 4-for-4 shooting at the foul line. That gave him 10 points at the break and the Buffanblu led 32-30.
The visitors opened the lead to 39-33 after a layup by Jack-Eli Tufono, a coast-to-coast bucket by Jared Lum and a straightaway 3 by Chris Kobayashi.
Saint Louis battled back and took a 42-41 lead on a wing 3 by Noa Purcell, his second in the third quarter.
Troske added six more points in the final quarter and sophomore Cole Arceneaux had seven of his nine points. Zayne Chong played his best basketball in the final eight minutes, as well, with a basket and three key assists. His field goal on a drive through the lane gave Punahou the lead for good at 56-54.
After Troske scored in the post on back-to-back possessions, Punahou’s lead was up to 61-54 with three minutes to go.
Saint Louis got within 64-62 on a steal and layup by Purcell (20 points), but Punahou got a layup by Arceneaux and a steal for a layup by Lum to put the game out of reach.
The Crusaders can wonder how they came so close and let it slip away, but there isn’t much time to ponder.
“We have to bring our ‘A’ game,” said Nichols, who finished with 16 points and eight boards. “I feel exhausted, but I have to be hopeful. It’s going to be an exciting postseason for sure.”
ILH DIVISION I BOYS
| at Saint Louis |
| Punahou (6-4) |
15 |
17 |
14 |
24 |
— |
70 |
| Saint Louis (6-4) |
17 |
13 |
18 |
18 |
— |
66 |
SAINT LOUIS—Jett Tanuvasa 0, Jaymason Nunuha 16, Zach Choo 0, Chris Sykes 4, Noa Purcell 20, Lance Sataraka 0, Isaac Slade-Matautia 9, Tristan Nichols 16, Junior Wily 1.
PUNAHOU—Cole Arceneaux 9, Zayne Chong 7, Hunter Hosoda 7, Maninoa Tufono 0, Kyle Yoshino 0, Hunter Lee 0, Christopher Kobayashi 9, Akahi Troske 18, Cole Mausolf 0, Kaulana Makaula 0, Jack-Eli Tufono 4, Jared Lum 12, Les Falatea 0, Duke Clemens 2, Noah-Falcon Kaumatule 2.
3-point goals—Punahou 6 (Kobayashi 3, Arceneaux, Chong, Hosoda). Saint Louis 5 (Nunuha 2, Purcell 2, Slade-Matautia).
No. 5 Kamehameha 55, No. 9 Mid-Pacific 31
Kaeler Kahana scored a team-high 11 points and 11 different Warriors scored in a rout of the Owls.
Daniel Florenco had 11 points to lead Mid-Pacific.
| at Kamehameha |
| MPI (3-7) |
10 |
2 |
12 |
7 |
— |
31 |
| KSK (6-4) |
9 |
12 |
12 |
22 |
— |
55 |
MID-PACIFIC—Codey Mita 1, Hooper LeBlanc 3, Isaiah Browning 0, Daniel Florenco 11, Travis Murayama 2, Jacen Kimura 2, Travis Hayashi 2, Zion Shepherd 0, Major Davis 0, Justin Daise 7, Logan Hutchinson 0.
KAMEHAMEHA—Jayden Zarriello 8, Kamren Victorino-Kato 7, Saint Gelacio 3, Noah Gelacio 3, Terrell Wong 1, Kilihune Mendiola-Jensen 2, Kainalu Martin 0, Fatu Sua-Godinet 7, Peter Hanohano-Hashimoto 8, Kobe Young 4, Kaeler Kahana 11, Pono Arias 0, Nakoa Pauole 1, Andrew Aleki 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 1 (Florenco). Kamehameha 6 (Kahana 2, Zarriello 2, N. Gelacio, Sua-Godinet).
No. 2 ‘Iolani 52, No. 7 Maryknoll 42
Robby Mann poured in a game-high 26 points as the Raiders stormed back in the fourth quarter to knock off the Spartans.
Brian Washington led Maryknoll with 15 points.
| at ‘Iolani |
| Maryknoll (3-7) |
10 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
— |
42 |
| ‘Iolani (6-4) |
9 |
13 |
6 |
24 |
— |
52 |
MARYKNOLL—Isiah Gelacio 3, Michael Mercado-Smith 3, Jordyn-Thomas Perez 3, Daven Pila 0, Hayato Kamata 12, William Tam 0, Kainoa Ferreira 2, Jaylen Cain 4, Kaulana Schmidt 0, Brian Washington 15, Everett McDaniel 0, Makoto Kamata 0, Payton Grant 0.
‘IOLANI—Ryan Yoshioka 0, Helam Baldomero 2, Robby Mann 26, Zack Gelacio 13, Ryan Van Cantfort 0, Nick Kennedy 1, Noah Bumanglag 0, Justin Genovia 0, Bailey Alabanza 0, Cole Hogland 0, Cameron Chang 1, Hugh Hogland 9, Kawika Lee 0.
3-point goals—Maryknoll 3 (Gelacio, Mercado-Smith, Perez). ‘Iolani 4 (Mann 3, Gelacio).
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Le Jardin 51, University 46
Charlie Abe and Jerry Lawson each scored 13 points and Mitchell Hashimoto added 11 as the Bulldogs edged the Jr. ‘Bows.
| at Hawaii Baptist |
| ULS (9-3) |
13 |
8 |
12 |
13 |
— |
46 |
| LJA (8-4) |
13 |
7 |
16 |
15 |
— |
51 |
UNIVERSITY—Lachlan MacLeod 3, Micah Agcaoili 4, Anson Canencia 15, Kapena Fitzgerald 2, Charlie Fox 2, Keawe Tong 0, Ryan Hobus 15, Radyn Kaleikini 0, Otto Taylor 5.
LE JARDIN—Charlie Abe 13, Mitchell Hashimoto 11, Jerry Lawson 13, Corey Grip 3, Dominic Venezia 9, Harper Tevin 2.
3-point goals—University 2 (Canencia, MacLeod). Le Jardin 5 (Hashimoto 3, Abe 2).
Damien 74, Hanalani 46
Kolin Galdiano scored a game-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Monarchs defeated the Royals.
Zane Pantil led Hanalani with 17 points.
| at Hanalani |
| Damien (7-4) |
14 |
22 |
12 |
26 |
— |
74 |
| Hanalani (3-9) |
10 |
9 |
11 |
16 |
— |
46 |
DAMIEN—BJ Ballesteros 5, Jayvee Quines 3, Kolin Galdiano 18, Malik Adeniji 2, Storm Maldonado 11, Joseph Torres 8, Shaun Apiki 6, Crumel Mooring 2, Rekeeb Craig 7, Seth Daniels 8, Brandon Galang 4.
HANALANI—Jesse Leaman 10, Jacob Saito 2, Reyn Romero 5, Aaron Leong 7, Tyler Iguchi 0, Zavh Deloach 0, James David Lee 0, Herbert Cacal 5, Jadin Kam 0, Zane Pantil 17.
3-point goals—Damien 8 (Galdiano 4, Torres 2, Ballesteros, Quines). Hanalani 3 (Cacal, Leaman, Leong).
Hawaii Baptist 70, Christian Academy 58
Kellen Takatsuka led all scorers with 26 points, including eight 3-pointers, as the Eagles defeated the Patriots.
| at Hawaii Baptist |
| CA (0-11) |
9 |
15 |
20 |
14 |
— |
58 |
| HBA (3-9) |
19 |
21 |
15 |
15 |
— |
70 |
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Isaiah Harris 23, Zach Benigno 0, Preston Ferry 1, Rylie Schenbeck Chang 5, Bryson Stride 2, Matt Tokuda 6, Jacob Salas 4, Dakota Fisher 10, Hollis Tam 0, Brayden Salas 7.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Brandon Hirokawa 2, Matt Sakai 2, Tanner Miyoi 0, Rhet Sugihara 0, Micah Mitchell 25, Sam Nishimiya 0, Logan Takeda 0, Max Wiemken 5, Kellen Takatsuka 26, Ty Minatoya 5, Cole Galicinao 2, Adam Kikuta 3, Payton Lee 0, Bryson Gonzalez 0.
3-point goals—Christian Academy 4 (Fisher 2, Harris, Schenbeck Cheng). Hawaii Baptist 14 (Takatsuka 8, Mitchell 4, Minatoya, Wiemken).
ILH DIVISION I-AA BOYS
Kamehameha 59, Saint Louis 44
ILH DIVISION III BOYS
Hawaiian Mission 62, Island Pacific 55
Logan Earls scored 20 points and Reid Kim added 18 as the Knights held off the Navigators for their first win of the season.
| at Hawaiian Mission |
| IPA (6-6) |
10 |
11 |
16 |
18 |
— |
55 |
| HMA (1-10) |
17 |
12 |
13 |
20 |
— |
62 |
ISLAND PACIFIC—Trevor Tseu 3, Jacob Weinhardt 5, Kaipo Orosco 6, Micaiah Lum 12, Casey Nakamura 2, Jake Arakawa 3, Chris Gionson 4, Mana Kaululaau 20.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—Daniel Saldevar 2, Reid Kim 18, Logan Earls 20, Alan Sison 11, Jeff Yamada 4, DJ Woo 2, Fisher Yu 5.
3-point goals—Island Pacific 8 (Kaululaau 4. Lum 2, Arakawa, Tseu). Hawaiian Mission 4 (Sison 2, Earls, Yu).
McKinley 48, Mililani 40
Dan Villejo scored a game-high 20 points as the Tigers defeated the Trojans. McKinley heads to Pearl City to take on the second seed from the West in a quarterfinal game today at 6 p.m.
Teylor Kaneshiro and Matthew Amistoso each scored 11 points for the Trojans, whose season ended.
| at McKinley |
| Mililani |
11 |
8 |
11 |
10 |
— |
40 |
| McKinley |
13 |
11 |
8 |
16 |
— |
48 |
MILILANI—Teylor Kaneshiro 11, Roman Tovi 0, Isaac Liva 8, Micah Gambol 6, Kaleo Pogue 2, Matthew Amistoso 11, Andru Tovi 2.
MCKINLEY—Josh Kanazawa 0, Mark Burke 0, Isaac Lu 1, Jeremy Coloyan 8, Dan Villejo 20, Huthifa Abdel-Juwad 2, Kyle Moraga 11, Kevin Nagasawa 0, Rayjay John 6.
3-point goals—Mililani 5 (Amistoso 3, Gambol, Kaneshiro,). McKinley 3 (Moraga 2, Villejo).
Kailua 46, Kapolei 44
Everett Torres-Kahapea knocked down three 3-pointers en route to a team-high 13 points as the Surfriders edged the Hurricanes.
With the win, Kailua heads to Kalaheo today for a 6 p.m. quarterfinal.
Kapolei’s season came to an end.
| at Kapolei |
| Kailua |
7 |
13 |
14 |
12 |
— |
46 |
| Kapolei |
7 |
14 |
13 |
10 |
— |
44 |
KAILUA—Everett Torres-Kahapea 13, Noah Ah Yat 10, Zach Marrotte 1, Noah Auld 0, Hano Kohatsu 8, Christian Mejia 11, Jonah Kalai 3.
KAPOLEI—Ian Manuel 3, Isiah Higa 0, Tolentino Martinez 0, Jayson Manapul 0, Zoar Nedd 15, Deyvont Martinez 0, Jashon Carter 5, Dillon Pakele 13, Jeremiah Sanchez 2, Saiona Faumuina 2, Alika Bantolina 4.
3-point goals—Kailua 6 (Ah Yat 3, Torres-Kahapea 3). Kapolei 5 (Nedd 2, Bantolina, Carter, Manuel).
OIA BOYS DIVISION II TOURNAMENT
Kalani 52, Waialua 45
Kobe Ikari had a game-high 15 points to lead the Falcons past the Bulldogs.
Sai’lele Fa’aolataga had 13 points for Waialua.
Kalani advances to face the West’s top seed Aiea today at 5:30 p.m.
| at Kalani |
| Waialua |
16 |
1 |
12 |
16 |
— |
45 |
| Kalani |
15 |
10 |
11 |
16 |
— |
52 |
WAIALUA—Royce Tashiro 9, Jeremy Tamayo 0, Lancen Kuni 10, Julian Sely-Menor 0, Kymani Ayonon 6, Dayton Albeso 0, Gian Tamayo 7, Jake Riviere 0, Sa’ilele Fa’aolataga 13, Christopher Joaquin 0, Kaimi Kamai 0, Richard Kamakea 0, Noredine Shaher 0.
KALANI—Kalei Packer 0, Jamie Harris 0, Chase Santos 0, Kobe Ikari 15, Miles Hannon 0, Akea Tolentino 3, Max Pepe 0, Micah Kawano 2, Toby Mitchell 2, Evan Chiu 0, Kapaa Nishimura 10, Trey Sumida 7, Sione Vea-Kava , Ryan Jacobi 0, John Lam 13, Jeffrey Wood 0.
3-point goals—Waialua 3 (Nishimura 2, Tolentiono). Kalani 5 (Tashiro 3, Kuni, Tamayo).
Roosevelt 52, Waipahu 51, 2OT
Jason Talbo had 15 points and Jared Elwin added 13 as the Rough Riders edged the Marauders in double overtime.
Airon Castaneda had a game-high 16 to lead Waipahu.
Roosevelt advances to play Kaimuki, the top seed in the East, today at 6 p.m.
| at Waipahu |
| Roosevelt |
10 |
9 |
6 |
16 |
2 |
9 |
— |
52 |
| Waipahu |
7 |
11 |
9 |
14 |
2 |
8 |
— |
51 |
ROOSEVELT—Jared Elwin 13, Adam Chiya 0, Micah Visoria 2, Charvis Paia 0, Jason Talbo 15, Tali Hayme 2, Michael Hyun 1, Shastyn Kekahuna 2, Christopher Lee 0, Nayton Koki 11, Andrew Adachi , Triton Ramos 3, Lio Ilalio 3, Juan Alverez 0.
WAIPAHU—Airon Castaneda 16, Cole Phillips 1, Medard Aranton 0, Kimo Pennington 0, Kainoa Marshall 4, Kameron Tomas 0, Jasper Sebastian 7, Jordan Libby 0, Khrysster Ipalari 5, Dominik Washington 2, Aerianne Paned 0, Jeminai Solomua 9, Jerico Delos Santos 0, Aaron Johnson 0, Gabriel Puni 0, Darren Luab 0, Elijah Taimatuia 7, Dallas Nagaseu 0.
3-point goals—Roosevelt 2 (Elwin, Talbo). Waipahu 1 (Sebastian).
OIA BOYS JUNIOR VARSITY
Championship
Aiea 70, Waipahu 62
