If everything goes ‘Iolani’s way, the second-ranked Raiders will have played six games in eight days to win the ILH title.

Understanding what lies ahead, ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto was quick to turn to his reserves on Thursday night at the Raiders’ gym.

Subbing all five bench players in halfway through the first quarter against Saint Louis, the battle-tested Raiders immediately went on a 16-2 run and held on to defeat the Crusaders 49-39 in the ILH second-round tournament.

‘Iolani (10-3) will play Punahou in the tournament final tonight at 6 at Hemmeter Fieldhouse after the Buffanblu defeated Kamehameha 61-42 on Thursday.

The Raiders will need to beat Punahou twice in as many days to claim the title after Punahou won the first-round tiebreaker with a 59-52 victory over ‘Iolani on Tuesday.

“We know we’re in for another potentially long stretch again,” said ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto, whose team had to play in first-round tiebreaker games Monday and Tuesday after closing the regular season last Saturday. “We really wanted to stretch our bench tonight and give guys other opportunities and I think they were the ones who were a spark for us.”

Saint Louis (2-10), which shocked Maryknoll 63-57 to end the Spartans’ season on Wednesday, took a quick 5-0 lead before Shimamoto summoned his bench into the game.

Sophomore guard Frank Felix was on the receiving end of a nice dish from Ryan Van Cantfort for a layup and ‘Iolani took control from them on.

Justin Genovia had a team-high 14 points and three steals and Hugh Hogland added 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks.

Felix finished with eight of ‘Iolani’s 14 bench points and added two steals and two assists.

“The starting five looked a little tired and I think the bench did a very good job of getting us started,” Felix said. “I think we got our whole team going and then the starters came back in and played well also.”

Jaymason Nunuha had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Saint Louis, which opened the second half with five quick points to cut the deficit to 25-23.

Genovia scored four quick points, getting a fast-break layup on a steal, and ‘Iolani had too much inside for Saint Louis to handle.

“We just didn’t hit a lot of shots,” Saint Louis coach Allan Silva said. “That was the best I’ve ever seen (‘Iolani’s) bench play. That first group better look out.”

Saint Louis tried to make one last run when Noah Browne’s 3-pointers cut the lead to six with 4:26 remaining, but the Crusaders made just one field goal the rest of the way.

Nunuha missed his last three shots after starting the game 6-for-10 from the field.

“(He’s) a huge concern,” Shimamoto said. “We knew how potent he is on offense and we wanted to make him work for everything, keep him off balance.”

SUMMARIES

ILH DIVISION I BOYS PLAYOFFS

Punahou 61, Kamehameha 42 (at Punahou)

>> Kamehameha (4-8) 17 6 6 13 — 42

>> Punahou (10-2) 17 11 18 15 — 61

KAMEHAMEHA—Francis Gora 0, Kamren Victorino-Kato 10, Blaze Guerrero 0, Kama Kamaka 2, Christmas Togiai 5, Mycah Pimental 15, Kobe Young 8, Laamea Frank 0, Boogie Yam 0, Hoku Arias 0, Nakoa Pauole 2, Pinao Awai 0.

PUNAHOU—Cole Mausolf 0, Zayne Chong 9, Hunter Hosoda 6, Judd Cockett 0, Maninoa Tufono 5, Chris Kobayashi 17, Cortez Feria 0, Kai Nafarrete 0, Kaulana Makaula 10, Keala Martinson 2, Beau Whittaker 2, Jakob Kimura 2, Tamatoa Falatea 0, Duke Clemens 6.

3-point goals—Kamehameha 5 (Pimental 3, Victorino-Kato 2). Punahou 7 (Kobayashi 5, Chong, Makaula).

‘Iolani 49, Saint Louis 39 (at ‘Iolani)

>> Saint Louis (2-10) 7 11 12 9 — 39

>> ‘Iolani (10-2) 14 9 14 12 — 49

SAINT LOUIS—Jaymason Nunuha 15, Isaac Silva 2, Trey Taba 3, Noah Browne 8, Jalen Smith 2, Chris Sykes 6, Noa Purcell 0, Gino Quinones 0, Josh White 3.

‘IOLANI—Helam Baldomero 4, Kawika Lee 0, Frank Felix 8, Ryan Van Cantfort 0, Bailey Alabanza 0, Noah Bumanglag 4, Justin Genovia 14, Cole Hogland 6, Cameron Chang 2, Hugh Hogland 11.

3-point goals—Saint Louis 4 (Browne, Nunuha, Taba, White). ‘Iolani 1 (Genovia).

ILH DIVISION II BOYS PLAYOFFS

Le Jardin 59, University 57 (at St. Francis)

>> Le Jardin (6-7) 14 18 18 9 — 59

>> University (7-5) 11 15 16 15 — 57

LE JARDIN—Jordon Sandoval 0, Hunter Mansanas 0, Jay Pahlmeyer 2, Evan Kroll 0, Eric Wisnom 2, Jerry Lawson 14, Charlie Abe 12, Aaron Ellingson 9, Mike Leary 0, Dominic Venezia 16, Chance Bridgman 4, Charles Kaukeano 0, James Christensen 0.

UNIVERSITY—Travis Kaloa 3, Shayden Koki 5, Otto Taylor 16, Keawe Tong 5, Charles Fox 4, C. Chun 0, R. Rebibis 0, Keoni Thoemmes-Adams 0, R. Kaleikini 7, Leif Fautanu 17.

3-point goals—Le Jardin 5 (Ellingson 3, Abe 2). University 3 (Kaloa, Koki, Tong).

Dominic Venezia was one of three players in double figures for the Bulldogs, who clinched a state-tournament berth with a win over the Junior ’Bows in the ILH tournament final.

Jerry Lawson added 14 points and Charlie Abe had 12 for Le Jardin, which won three games in four days to advance to states after finishing 3-7 in the regular season.

Leif Fautanu had 17 points and Otto Taylor added 16 for University, which outscored Le Jardin 15-9 in the fourth quarter but couldn’t come all the way back.

ILH DIVISION I-AA BOYS PLAYOFFS

‘Iolani 47, Maryknoll 35