OIA basketball semifinals tonight
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
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All but one of O'ahu's seven boys basketball state tournament berths have been secured, but two championships are still undecided and that coveted final state berth will be earned by the weekend.
The action resumes tonight with the O'ahu Interscholastic Association semifinals at McKinley and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's postseason tournament to decide the ILH's third state berth.
Tomorrow, Iolani and Kamehameha will square off for the ILH championship at Mid-Pacific.
Here is a closer look at each scenario:
OIA SEMIFINALS
CAMPBELL VS. KAHUKU
Western Division runner-up Campbell (10-1) has overcome early-season problems with injuries, academics and discipline and has not lost in more than a month. In the Sabers' last defeat, 61-54 at Mililani on Jan. 12, they suited up just eight players and one fouled out in the fourth period, when they squandered a 14-point lead with five minutes remaining. They have since added players, including Mike Makinano, who scored 17 points in his debut Jan. 24 against Wai'anae and has hit 18 points in two other games, including Saturday's 61-59 quarterfinal victory over Moanalua. The Sabers are riding an eight-game win streak ... Guard Ryan Hayes has been another clutch player for Campbell. He scored 13 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth period to help the Sabers defeat Leilehua, 56-51, then scored 18 points — including a basket with two seconds remaining — in a 42-41 victory over Waipahu. In the regular season finale, Hayes scored 18 of his 22 points in the fourth period of a 50-46 victory over Kapolei. ... East champion Kahuku (11-1) has relied heavily on the many talents of Junior Ale, a 6-foot-2 senior guard. Ale has averaged 23.7 points per game in OIA competition, but he also has been the Red Raiders' primary ball-handler, grabs rebounds and blocks shots. Twins Devin and Kevin Unga are equally tough and quick in the post and can score in transition. ... Tonight's game is a rematch of last year's OIA final, won by Kahuku, 48-43.
KAIMUKI VS. KALAHEO
As Kahuku coach Nathan James said last week, Kaimuki appears to "have all the pieces to the puzzle" and is peaking at the right time. The East runner-up Bulldogs (10-2) are deep and can mix and match their lineup according to the game situation. And at any given time, all five players on the court can dribble, pass and rebound effectively. Six different players have been high scorer in regular season games, and that doesn't include starting center Shaun Dela Calzada, who also is capable of scoring in double figures. Point guard Daniel Colon and wings Thomas Pyo and Jarrett Shiu are sharp-shooters, and forwards Beau Albrechtson and Keone Reyes are strong inside scorers and rebounders. ... Kalaheo (10-3) finished fourth in the East but, as usual, is dangerous in the postseason. The Mustangs have veteran leadership in seniors Chris Tumaneng (a fourth-year varsity point guard), Marvin Judd, Kahua Hollinger, Elias David and Mana Guerreiro. Judd and Hollinger are good outside shooters, and David and Guerreiro are leapers who can rebound and finish. Another key is junior Tyler Caswell, a 6-5 center. When Caswell makes his presence felt in the post, it opens up Kalaheo's offense with big results. In Saturday's 74-60 victory at West champion Mililani, Caswell scored nine points and added eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals. ... Kaimuki won the regular season meeting, 54-53.
ILH CHAMPIONSHIP
IOLANI VS. KAMEHAMEHA
Kamehameha (10-2) won the first meeting, 39-37, after Rykin Enos scored on a coast-to-coast layup as time expired. Iolani (10-2) won Friday's rematch, 43-38, to force tomorrow's winner-take-all playoff. Both teams feature intense, in-your-face defense from the opening tip until the final horn. Enos is the Warriors' primary scorer, but he was held to two points last Friday after scoring 19 three nights earlier against Punahou. Randy Cummings has hit big 3-pointers, including one in the final two minutes Friday and also the go-ahead basket in a 54-49 overtime win against Saint Louis two weeks ago. Jacob Ho can score inside, and Mitch Kauweloa is an athletic rebounder. ... Fourth-year varsity guard Vinny Nip is Iolani's top outside shooter, and he is capable of a 20-point night. He had 23 points, including 11 in the decisive third period, in a victory over Saint Louis and 22 in a win over Punahou. Kawika Shoji, a third-year varsity player, can score from inside and out and came up with two huge blocks in Friday's win. Liloa Nobriga, a 6-3 freshman, has shown moves and poise beyond his years.
ILH POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT
Three elite teams — Saint Louis (8-4), Punahou (8-4) and Maryknoll (4-8) — are expected to fight it out for the league's final state tournament berth. Five of Maryknoll's losses have been by a total of 17 points, and senior Tyler Tsukazaki is one of the state's top players. Punahou junior point guard Miah Ostrowski also fits into that category. Saint Louis earned homecourt advantage by sweeping Punahou in the regular season and will avoid Maryknoll in the semifinals.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.