Hugh Hogland had 18 points and 11 rebounds as ‘Iolani outlasted Punahou 51-46 on Friday night in the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball playoff tournament at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.
The two teams will meet one more time — their fifth since league play began — tonight at ‘Iolani’s gym for the league championship. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
Punahou (10-3), which won the regular season and an automatic state-tourney berth, could have sealed the league title with a win on Friday.
Instead, the home team shot an uncharacteristic 40 percent (6-for-15) from the free-throw line as the gauntlet of ILH competition takes a toll.
“We missed a lot of free throws and layups,” Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. “(‘Iolani) took it to us and played like they had nothing to lose. We didn’t have as much confidence as usual and played a little tight.”
Justin Genovia added 12 points for ‘Iolani (11-3) before fouling out. With Coach Dean Shimamoto platooning five players at a time, there was an emphasis on leaking out in transition.
“They just had more energy because they’re playing less minutes whether its hitting the boards or running the lanes harder,” Shimamoto said.
That change caught Punahou off guard as the Raiders scored easy cherry-pick layups a handful of times, mostly by Genovia.
“Before, we weren’t really getting out on the break and Coach Dean said we have to get out,” Cole Hogland said.
Zayne Chong scored 11 points and Chris Kobayashi added 10 to pace Punahou.
Hugh Hogland’s 6-foot-9 frame and excellent timing on shot blocking was a major factor. He blocked three shots, dished three assists and also had two steals to anchor the Raiders’ halfcourt man-to-man defense. He didn’t do it all alone, of course.
In fact, with ‘Iolani ahead 47-43 and 1:57 remaining, Hugh Hogland missed two foul shots. Kobayashi sank a 16-foot jumper from the elbow to cut the lead to two points with 1:41 left. Raiders guard Helam Baldomero then went to the free-throw line for his first shot attempt all night. He swished both ends of the 1-and-1 for a 49-45 lead with 1:13 left.
Hunter Hosoda sank one of two foul shots for Punahou with 58 seconds remaining, and then pressured Baldomero in the corner off the miss, causing a turnover. Punahou came up empty, however, and Bailey Alabanza’s long pass to a wide-open Cole Hogland for a layup opened the lead to 51-46 with 31 seconds to go.
Chong, who scored seven points during Punahou’s rally, missed a 1-and-1 with 23.5 seconds left, but Hugh Hogland missed his 1-and-1 with 21 seconds to go. Punahou remained stone cold and never scored again.
Between Genovia and Baldomero, the Raiders were able to offset Punahou’s pressure defense. ‘Iolani committed just 12 turnovers and outrebounded Punahou 29-18.
The Buffanblu had just one offensive rebound for the night.
In the three previous meetings, the home team had won each time. ‘Iolani changed that pattern by finishing the first half with a 10-5 run for a 26-19 lead at the break.
Hugh Hogland’s two-handed slam on a three-point play to start the second half began a 10-4 run by the visitors. Alabanza’s straightaway 3 made it 36-23.
Before a crowd of about 800, Punahou went on an electrifying 20-8 run. Sophomore center Duke Clemens scored six quick points and Chong scored on a corner 3 with 2:54 left to bring Punahou within 44-43.
Alabanza answered with his second triple of the night for the Raiders, and Punahou got no closer than two points the rest of the way.
Since 2010, ‘Iolani has won the ILH crown four times, in ’10, ’11, ’14 and ’16. Punahou has captured it twice during that time: ’12 and ’15.
‘Iolani has reached the state final in each of the past three seasons, winning the state title in ’14 and ’16. The Raiders defeated Punahou in last year’s state championship game, 45-40.
At Punahou
‘Iolani (11-3) 12 14 13 12 — 51
Punahou (10-3) 11 8 9 18 — 46
‘IOLANI–Helam Baldomero 2, Kawika Lee 0, Frank Felix 0, Ryan Van Cantfort 0, Bailey Alabanza 6, Noah Bumanglag 6, Justin Genovia 12, Cole Hogland 7, Cameron Chang 0, Hugh Hogland 18.
PUNAHOU–Cole Mausolf 0, Zayne Chong 11, Hunter Hosoda 7, Maninoa Tufono 0, Christopher Kobayashi 10, Kaulana Makaula 9, Keala Martinson 0, Beau Whittaker 0, Tamatoa Falatea 3, Duke Clemens 6.
3-point goals–‘Iolani 2 (Albanza 2). Punahou 6 (Chong 2, Falatea, Hosoda, Kobayashi, Makaula).
