The Fairfax Lions aren’t often an underdog, but against mighty, top-ranked Montverde Academy, they checked off a bunch of must-haves that would normally lead to a bucket-list upset win.
Instead, Montverde hung on for a 79-70 victory over Fairfax on Tuesday night to advance into the final of the ‘Iolani Prep Classic.
It was a captivating finish thanks to the Lions, who cut a 20-point deficit to four in the final 4 minutes. Montverde endured a 1-for-6 stretch at the foul line, and Shawn Booker’s second trey during the rally brought the Lions within 74-70 with 49 seconds remaining. From there, they went cold while Andrew Nembhard hit a free throw, then scored off a steal. R.J. Barrett’s final two foul shots provided the final margin of victory with 13.8 seconds to go.
“I’m proud of them. At this early point of the season, they fought back,” Fairfax coach Steve Baik said.
Montverde coach Kevin Boyle praised the team in red.
“We took control of the game in the second and third quarters, but that team didn’t quit and their kids played great. They have great heart and great energy,” he said. “Their coach did a good job.”
A capacity crowd at Father Bray Athletic Center saw the nation’s top college prospect at his versatile best. Barrett led the Eagles with 22 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. He was a stabilizing force for the powerhouse program from Florida when center Makhel Mitchell got into foul trouble. With Mitchell riding the bench much of the second half, the Lions feasted on the boards and finished with a 28-20 rebounding edge.
The 6-foot-9 Mitchell had six points and five rebounds in the first half, and 6-10 Filip Petrusev had 11 points and four boards. The Lions put their defensive focus on slowing Barrett, who had scored 40 points against Lahainaluna and 33 on ‘Iolani.
The Duke commit shot 7-for-15 from the field and 7-for-10 at the free-throw line, committing just two turnovers in another efficient performance. With Nembhard (12 points, six assists, two steals) and Michael Devoe (11 points, five assists) controlling the tempo, the Eagles went on a 15-6 run to close the first half. Montverde led 38-28 at the break.
For the next 12 minutes, the Eagles soared, opening the lead to 57-38 after three quarters. After Karrington Davis hustled for a putback, they led 70-50 with 4 minutes remaining.
Fairfax then went into overdrive, attacking the rim relentlessly.
“They made 13 free throws in a row at one point,” Boyle noted. “We got a couple of fouls and started to play not to foul.”
PREP SCOREBOARD
ILH
Division II
Varsity girls
Hanalani 45, La Pietra 16
St. Francis 52, Damien 32
Leading scorers—Han: Paige Nakahara 12. LP: Kayla Nguyen 6, Pumehana Uslan 6. StF: Nani Santos 14, Kealani Neves 13, Mata Sagapolutele 12. DMS: Karly Navas 14.
Division III
Varsity boys
Christian Academy 62, Hawaiian Mission 43
Assets 62, Lanakila Baptist 34
Leading scorers—CA: Yoshimi Matoba 31, Elijah Busenbark 17. HMA: Jared Moran 19.
Division I
Junior varsity girls
Kamehameha White 36, ‘Iolani 34
Junior varsity boys
Punahou Blue 58, Kamehameha Blue 42
OIA EAST
Varsity girls
Kahuku 72, Kailua 17
Campbell 61, Aiea 17
Roosevelt 53, Castle 36
Kaimuki 67, Moanalua 60
Farrington 63, Kalaheo 58, OT
Leading scorers—Kah: Sisilia Kaufusi 22, Ilaisaane Pooi 18, Meleane Tonga 12. Kail: Bianca Richardson 7. Camp: Danielle Silva 17, Gieani Balino 14, Kimberlee Ung 12. Aiea: Ufi Ale 6. Roos: Sunshine Vicente 16, Haven Gabriel 13, Kaonohi Quinlan 11. Cast: Shayla Young 15. Kaim: Kaelyn Espinda 28, Sonia Palik 13, Sirena Titer 11. Moan: Delylah Sanerivi 22, Raven Rosa-Iasco 12. Farr: Kelia Miller 13, Allani Talapu 12, Chalei Smith 12, Alana Talapu 19. Kalh: CC Pollard 28, Tati Sampson 10.
Junior varsity girls
Kahuku 81, Kailua 7
Castle 64, Roosevelt 33
Moanalua 51, Kaimuki 19
Farrington 59, Kalaheo 8
OIA WEST
Varsity girls
Nanakuli 49, Waialua 6
Leading scorers—Nan: Kalei Cates 16, Destiny Hicks 12. Wail: Ocean Escorzon 3.
PRESEASON TOURNAMENT
‘Iolani Classic
Varsity boys
Semifinals
Jefferson (Ore.) 63,
Bishop O’Dowd (Calif.) 50
Montverde (Fla.) 79, Fairfax (Calif.) 70
Consolation
Leilehua 35, Pearl City 29
Kamehameha 55, Kalaheo 46
Lahainaluna 68, Moanalua 57
Maryknoll 46, Kapolei 45
Rainier Beach (Seattle) 71, ‘Iolani 42
Greensboro Day (N.C.) 46,
Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.)44
Leading scorers—KS: Hoku Arias 15, Braden DeFries 13, Christmas Togiai 12, Lokahi Pauole 11. Kalh: Cannen Chiu 17, Andrew Kearney 10.
St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic
Varsity boys
St. Francis 83, Kealakehe 50
Punahou 89, Waiakea 44
Campbell 48, Kailua 43
Kahuku 41, University 30
Leading scorers—StF: Kameron Ng 25, Boris Vukovic 17, Titus Liu 13, Bryce Nishida 11. Keal: Lewko Lai 16. Pun: Yoshi Kobayashi 22, Kaulana Makaula 21, Zayne Chong 10. Waik: Rekky Prudencio 13. Camp: Mitchell Williams 14, Henry Nixon 10. Kail: Everett Torres-Kahapea 22. Kah: Tolu Smith 15, Ruanui Winitana 10, Ethan Erickson 10. ULS: Otto Taylor 13.
BIIF
Varsity boys
KS-Hawaii 65, Pahoa 41
Leading scorers—KSH: Isaiah Nakoa-Oness 16, Samuel Kahapea 14. Pah: Damon Romero 17.
