In the physicality of it all, it boiled down to free throws.

Kamehameha went 7-of-7 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and rallied from a nine-point deficit to turn back Kahuku, 62-57, last night in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines Division I Boys State Basketball Championships at Jim Alegre Gymnasium.

The Warriors will play second-seeded and No. 3-ranked Konawaena in a quarterfinal at 6 tonight.

"That's a sign we're growing up," Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "Those free throws in pressure situations. They're making them now. Throughout the season we haven't been, so it's nice to see them going in now."

The Warriors trailed 49-44 entering the fourth quarter, when Chaz Bajet opened with a 3-pointer to pull them to within two. After Irwin Ah Hoy missed two free throws at 7:18, the Warriors got the rebound and tied the game on a layup by Brandon Dumlao with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter. He was fouled by Jack Damuni and Dumlao completed the three-point play to give the Warriors their first lead since they led 17-15 after the first quarter.

The Warriors maintained the lead by making their free throws in the fourth, while the Red Raiders went 0 for 3 from the line, including failing to convert a three-point play that would have tied the score at 58.

"It's a matter of that and a number of things that culminate over the course of a game, one team coming out a little bit ahead and the other team not making some plays," Kahuku coach Nathan James said.

What hurt the Red Raiders too was losing starting guard Jray Galeai to start the second half. He was fouled going for a layup and injured his ankle to the point where Mikeli Damuni had to replace him to shoot the two foul shots; he made one. Galeai did not return.

"No one player is the team," James said. "They are the team collectively. It would hurt any team to lose any player out of your starting lineup. But it's not just one player."

"It was unfortunate for them that their best player went down," Nakanishi said. "But that's how tough that team is. They lose their best player and they're still competing."

Galeai tied for the team lead with 11 points along with Willie Ching. Blake Viena led the Warriors with 15 points.

KAHUKU (11-5) 15 18 16 8 — 57

KAMEHAMEHA (12-4) 17 11 16 18 — 62

KAHUKU — Jack Damuni 9, Jray Galeai 11, Mikeli Damuni 1, Willie Ching 11, Irwin Ah Hoy 9, Shiloah Te'o 2, Justin Afalava 0, Aulola Tonga 10, Kona Schwenke 2, Patrick Au 2. Totals 21 10-20 57.

KAMEHAMEHA — Dylan Miller 3, Edmund Kamano Jr. 0, Kawika Lyons 2, Chaz Bajet 5, Brandon Dumlao 9, Pi'i Minns 12, Auwae DeRego 13, Shawn Bode 4, Micah Christensen 0, Blake Viena 13, Jami Downey-Jovanovich 0. Totals 20 19-27 62. 3-point goals: Kahuku 5 (J. Damuni, Galeai 3, Ah Hoy), Kamehameha 3 (Miller, Bajet, DeRego).