Just like that, everything is back to normal for the No. 1-ranked Punahou Buffanblu.
With Daniel Andrews back in the lineup after an injury scare earlier in the week, Punahou spoiled Maryknoll’s homecoming with a 63-52 win at Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium on Friday night.
The win by Punahou means that the top of the ILH boys basketball standings is jam-packed with the Buffanblu, Maryknoll and ‘Iolani, all at 4-1 in league play.
A raucous standing-room-only crowd at the Spartans’ court was treated to occasional flashes of brilliance by the home team, especially by guard Kaleb Gilmore (22 points, eight rebounds).
But Punahou’s march across the street to meet their No. 2-ranked neighbors was all business. From the opening tip, the Buffanblu were fast, poised and physical with Andrews, a 6-foot-7 senior, back on the floor. He had 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
After his right knee went stiff during warmups on Wednesday against ‘Iolani, Andrews was diagnosed on Thursday with a minor strain of the patella tendon and PCL. With him out of the lineup, Punahou lost Wednesday for the first time after 18 wins.
"Andrews makes a big difference. He’s a three-year starter and gives them a lot of confidence on the floor," Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant said. "I was watching him during warmups trying to figure out if he’s injured. He jumped off two legs and I knew he was playing."
The Buffanblu were relieved, to say the least.
"He makes a lot of difference. We thought we lost him for the season," Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. " ‘Iolani played great (on Wednesday). It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours and now it’s like we have new life. The kids persevered and bounced back. That’s why I like coaching. That adversity will help make us stronger."
Andrews had a big smile after the game.
"Thankfully, it healed up quickly," he said.
J.B. Kam, who scored just seven points in Andrews’ absence on Wednesday, finished with 25 points to lead the Buffanblu.
"Dan’s a big part of our offense; with him there we’re twice as good," said Kam, a 6-3 senior.
Micah Ma’a added six points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals while drawing the assignment to guard Maryknoll’s explosive 6-3 guard Josh Burnett.
The senior struggled offensively with 4-for-18 shooting, including 1-for-9 from the arc, and finished with 14 points, seven boards, four assists and two steals.
Maryknoll shot 31 percent from the field (16-for-51), including 24 percent from 3-point range (6-for-25). The Spartans also shot 57 percent from the foul line (14-for-24).
With point guard Dayson Watanabe (12 points, six assists) at the controls, Punahou ran a lot of pick plays, while Andrews, Kam and athletic wings like Ma’a and Kanawai Noa ran the occasional high-low backdoor pass to perfection. The Buffanblu shot 46 percent from the field (23-for-50) overall despite 3-for-19 accuracy from the arc. They were 12-for-18 at the free-throw line (67 percent).
Punahou raced to a 14-5 lead and never relinquished its edge. The Spartans got within 33-30 by halftime after Gilmore scored 10 of his 13 first-half points in the second quarter.
The pace slowed in the third quarter, but the Spartans were within 44-39 entering the fourth. That’s when Punahou (19-1 overall) took command with a 9-2 run. Kam scored five points on back-to-back drives, and after he scored off a steal, Punahou led 53-41.
That run including one technical foul on each team — one on Maryknoll reserve center Micah McGivern for slamming the ball after being called for a foul, and one on Kam for yelling after blocking a layup attempt by Gilmore. Gilmore’s deep 3 cut the margin to 53-46 with 2:55 remaining, but Maryknoll (17-3 overall) got no closer.
"The last six minutes, we were back to one pass and shoot," Grant noted. "We’re tied for first. This just puts a little more pressure on anybody. Anything can happen."
At Palama Settlement gym |
L. Baptist (1-3) |
9 |
12 |
23 |
3 |
— |
47 |
ASSETS (0-4) |
8 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
— |
26 |
Lanikila Baptist–Keanu Cikowsky 10, Roycen Routt 16, Robert Baker 0, Geo Julian 5, Jerrold Mariano 14, Colton Salvador 2, Joshua Carlton 0.
Assets–Greg Miller 0, Christian Walker 11, Paul Lawrence 0, Michael Tory 4, Micah Swenson-Kim 0, Christopher Tanaka 0, Aiden Matsura 4, Paul David 0, Chase Deaton 4, Nenad Djondjeric , Micahel Weaver 3, Todd Colby 0.
3-point goals–Lanakila Baptist 3 (Cikowsky, Julian, Mariano). ASSETS none.
Christian Academy 52, Island Pacific 49
At Radford gym |
IPA (2-1) |
15 |
14 |
9 |
11 |
— |
49 |
C. Academy (4-0) |
6 |
16 |
8 |
22 |
— |
52 |
Island Pacific–Brian Arde 3, Josiah Gabriel 2, John Black 8, Ian Schumaker 17, Brett Arakawa 4, Dalton Wood 5, Ryan Tosiulai 4, Andrew McCarthy 3, Micah Lum 3,
Christian Academy–Frederick Harris III 18, Matthew Urcia 11, Rylie Schenbeck Chang 3, Xavier Matthews 1, Joshua Luna 15, Jarrin-James Ralar 1, Brayden Salas 3.
3-point goals–Island Pacific 3 (Arde, Lum, McCarthy). Christian Academy 5 (Harris 2, Urcia, Chang, Luna).
OIA EAST BOYS
Roosevelt 68, Kaiser 67, 2OT
Kevin Foster scored a game-high 24 points as the Rough Riders defeated the Cougars in two overtime periods. Tarius Hill nailed a 3-pointer for Kaiser with 10 seconds left to force the first overtime. Justin Furtado (17 points) hit both of his free throws in the final seconds of the second overtime to put Roosevelt up by four and Kaiser answered with a last-second 3-pointer to fall short by one point. Kelsey Lewis scored 17, Chance Kalaugher 16 and Hill 13 for the Cougars. Chaston Marcos added 10 for the Rough Riders.
At Roosevelt gym |
Kaiser (3-3) |
16 |
11 |
14 |
15 |
3 |
8 |
— |
67 |
Roos. (3-2) |
12 |
10 |
15 |
19 |
3 |
9 |
— |
68 |
KAISER–Tarius Hill 13, Kelsey Lewis 17, Melvin Kahunanaui 0, Nicolas Tom 6, Isaac Slade-Matuatia 8, Trevin Kahunanui 4, Chance Kalaugher 16, Matt Haili 3.
ROOSEVELT–Chaston Marcos 10, Valen Inaura 4, Justin Furtado 17, Jake Kawasaki 2, Mick Colling 9, Kevin Foster 24, Sean Zukeran 0, Josh Alexander 0, Brent Quakenbush 2.
3-point goals–Kaiser 6 (Hill 3, Lewis 2, Tom). Roosevelt 2 (Furtado 2).
Junior varsity–Kaiser 41, Roosevelt 32
McKinley 60, Castle 37
Junior guard Macjun Otarra dropped in 13 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to power the Tigers past the Knights.
At McKinley gym |
Castle (1-5) |
7 |
16 |
5 |
9 |
— |
37 |
McKinley (3-3) |
9 |
13 |
14 |
24 |
— |
60 |
CASTLE–Chad Figueroa 0, Lalio Keawe-Aiko-Tilton 0, Justin Pang 0, Aukai Keawe-Aiko-Tilton 0, KJ Ng 8, Kumu Oana 0, Clay Mitchell 6, Joseph Lilio III 6, David Benevedes 10, Keanu Furtado 7, Bryson Aiwohi 0.
MCKINLEY–Erolina Javier 2, Josh Lam 2, Lanson Hino 0, Brennan Waters 2, Dan Villejo 3, Joramae Otarra 9, Nelson Pita 10, Macjun Otarra 21, Dayton Lee 9, Kaimi Kini 2.
3-point goals– Castle 1 (Ng). McKinley 2 (Villejo, Lee).
Junior varsity– McKinley 52, Castle 39.
Kailua 62, Anuenue, 35
Noah Kawai and Noah Auld scored 11 points each to lead the Surfriders over Na Koa. Ikaika Benjamin scored 11 points and Kimo Romena had 10 in the loss.
At Kailua gym |
Anuenue (0-5) |
2 |
11 |
10 |
12 |
— |
35 |
Kailua (4-2) |
16 |
19 |
13 |
14 |
— |
62 |
ANUENUE–Ikaika Benjamin 11, Kamalu Kamauoha 2, Kimo Romena 10, Pono Kahili 7, Naalii Dureg 3, Kamanao Dureg 0, Kailau Keola 2, Namaka Park 0, Kawaa Kahana 0, Kaleo Lindsey 0.
KAILUA–Nainoa Mercado 6, Noah Kawai 11, William Kailimai 6, Peter Kanoho 6, Bernard Verano 0, Kamu Scheer 0, Keelan Kaleiohi-Palama 5, Hano Kohatsu 6, Christian Mejia 0, Marcus Malepeai 4, Eric Lavoie 0, Russell Foster 5, Noah Ah Yat 2, Noah Auld 11.
3-point goals–Anuenue 2 (Benjamin, Romena). Kailua 2 (Kawai, Foster)
Kalani 58, Kaimuki 36
Cory Mitchell scored 23 points to lead the Falcons over the Bulldogs. Christian Ono scored 13 points for Kaimuki.
At Kalani gym |
Kaimuki (1-5) |
11 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
— |
36 |
Kalani (3-3) |
9 |
19 |
10 |
20 |
— |
58 |
KAIMUKI–Sean Noda 6, Christian Ono 13, Sloan Fuller 0, Jerry Betiru 8, Ralph Reyes 0, Kenny Fujimoto 0, Akira Vernon 3, Faafetai Lucio 0, Tayler Espinda 6, Kenneth Neo 0.
KALANI–Jeremy Robinson 0, Dallas Ascuncion 0, Shane Ra 5, Jaron Yamauchi 2, Alexander Tungpalan 8, Cory Mitchell 23, Blaise Manabe 4, Dunavan Hahn 4, Brandon Roberts 7, John Suda 0, Juwan Bohannon 4, Ace Faumui 1, David Faletoi 0, Kevin Kang 0.
3-point goals–Kaimuki 1 (Betriu). Kalani 3 (Tungpalan 2, Roberts).
Junior varsity– Kalani 51, Kaimuki 50
OIA WEST BOYS
Pearl city 44, Kapolei 42
The Hurricanes missed two free throws in the final seconds of the game, allowing the Chargers to hang on for the win. Tylor Canon led Pearl City with nine points, all from the 3-point line.
At Kapolei gym |
Pearl City (4-1) |
10 |
16 |
12 |
6 |
— |
44 |
Kapolei (3-2) |
7 |
11 |
14 |
10 |
— |
42 |
PEARL CITY–Tylor Canon 9, Eric Dela Pena 5, Justin Bautista 2, Shandy Reyes 4, Matthew Garcia 2, Joshua Arellano 4, Ivan Nakasone 8, Christopher Roy 0, Garette Kanamu 2, P-Jay Solomon 8.
KAPOLEI–Zhaine Canne 0, Tyqwan Womack 1, Koa Alvarado 4, Abdel-Kader Ziane 5, Jeffery Garret 0, Austin Wasson 0, Augustine Stridiron 3, Chance Kamaka 6, Benjahmin Toomolatai 2, Matthew Henderson 3, Dakota Williams 4, William Auwae 3, Micah Kapoi 11.
3-point goals–Pearl City (Canon 3, Nakasone 2, Dela Pena). Kapolei 3 (Canne, Stridiron, Kamaka)
Junior varsity–Pearl City 43, Kapolei 28
Waianae 58, Waialua 47
Bronson Brown-Kaopua scored 18 points as the Seariders defeated the Bulldogs. Xavier Repollo led Waialua with 23 points, including seven 3-pointers, in the loss.
At Waialua gym |
Waianae (5-1) |
11 |
13 |
17 |
17 |
— |
58 |
Waialua (1-5) |
14 |
7 |
12 |
14 |
— |
47 |
WAIANAE–Tyger Rohr 2, Natano Namulauti 2, Josh Searles 9, Makana Piilani 9, Ikaika Trueman-Reed 0, Winston Kekahuna 0, Austin Thomas 9, Bronson Brown-Kaopua 18, Sage Cruz 7, Zeffaniyah Kauihana-Kaimimoku 2.
WAIALUA–Sean Murphy 2, Jeren Dingal 9, Xavier Repollo 23, Royce Gasper 2, Virgilio Bareng 0, Kaimana Equires 3, Tripp Blaser 8, Wyatt Rushing 0. 3-point goals–Waianae 1 (Piilani). Waialua 7 (Repollo 7).
Junior varsity– Waianae 29, Waialua 21
Campbell 51, Nanakuli 33
Isaac Hurd scored 14 points to lead the Sabers past the Golden Hawks and continue to go undefeated in conference play.
At Nanakuli gym |
Campbell (5-0) |
18 |
14 |
14 |
5 |
— |
51 |
Nanakuli (0-6) |
7 |
7 |
11 |
8 |
— |
33 |
CAMPBELL–Jomar Jett Gapusan 4, John Onva 0, Paulo Selizardo 2, Michael Merchant 4, Isaac Hurd 14, Jayce Bantolina 6, Lamart Dudley 4, Gilbert Dayanan 9, Melvin Bergado 3, Kainoa Perry 2, Alex Layi 3, James Copeland 0.
NANAKULI–Naliko Kea 4, Eric Auhhon-Kaawa 8, Kale Kanehailua 4, Kamaua Van Geison 0, Iverson Sione 7, Josh Lincoln 3, Lyle Tuiloma 7, Louis Hulama 0, Kealii Awong 0, Jason Salvador 0.
3-point goals–Campbell 4 (Hurd 2, Gapusan, Layi). Nanakuli 1 (Sione)
Junior varsity–Campbell 62, Nanakuli 47
Aiea 72, Leilehua 64, OT
Bryan Naito hit 14 of 17 free throws and finished with a game-high 26 points to lead Na Alii to an overtime victory over the Mules.
At Aiea gym |
Leilehua (2-3) |
10 |
19 |
20 |
11 |
4 |
— |
64 |
Aiea (1-5) |
12 |
13 |
21 |
14 |
12 |
— |
72 |
LEILEHUA–Kainoa Aleviado 5, Chanse Ramirez 12, Joseph Gouty 25, Kevin Brown 0, Anterrio Gainwell 4, Koa Kauhi 0, Dhyllan Amond 0, Pomai Cozo 0, Bryan Mason 8, Torenzo Vereen 10 .
AIEA–Cory Walton 1, Matt Sio 6, Christian Maglaya 10, Shaun Aque 4, Jantsen Shimoto 0, Bronson Lee 0, Brandon Lee 3, Micah Chang-Olivar 10, Bryan Naito 26, Mana Kaahanui 0, Kimo Souza 3, Amara Toure 9.
3-point goals–Leilehua 3 (Aleviado, Ramirez, Gainwell). Aiea 2 (Aque, Bran. Lee).
Junior varsity– Aiea 69, Leilehua 44.
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 3 Maryknoll 49, Sacred Hearts 25
Siena Shupe scored 10 points to lead the Spartans over the Lancers. Keala Rutkowski scored 11 points in the loss.
At Maryknoll gym |
SHA (1-6) |
5 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
— |
25 |
Maryknoll (6-2) |
13 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
— |
49 |
SACRED HEARTS–Tiare Libarios-Moses 4, Keala Rutkowski 11, Hoku Rutkowski 0, Seyer Lat 0, Kaela Fiesta 0, Zoe-Ann Yamamoto 0, Jessica Hanashiro 5, Cirena Aiwohi 0, Erica Pagan 2, Celina Pagan 3, Vikatolia Tupou 0.
MARYKNOLL–Amber Bustamante 0, Alexis Delovio 6, Maile Goodin 4, Maya Rodriguez-Chang 5, Maia Laboy 8, Cianna Ochoco 2, Kaile Cambra 7, Maegaen Martin 7, Siena Shupe 10.
3-point goals–Sacred Hearts 3 (Shupe 2, Cambra). Maryknoll none.
ILH DIVISION III GIRLS
Lutheran 38, Christian Academy 16
At Radford gym |
Lutheran (2-3) |
12 |
10 |
6 |
10 |
— |
38 |
C. Academy (0-4) |
5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
— |
16 |
Lutheran–Namaka Lee 0, Vikatolia Naulu 20, Doris Naulu 3, Tess Fukuyama 2, Kelsey Ikeda 1, Junell Fonokalafi 12.
Christian Academy–Andrale Domligan 0, Sierra Kurihara 0, Carissa Yamada 0, Bethany Agcaoili 0, Colleen Teruel 3, Aileene Amadis 1, Heaven-Lee Asato 7, Gabriella Ader 5.
3-point goals–Lutheran none. Christian Academy 1 (Teruel).
ALSO
BIIF Varsity girls
Hawaii Prep 47, Keaau 19
MIL Varsity girls
Lanai 51, Molokai 48