With the door to first place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball race suddenly flung wide open, Kamehameha went charging through last night in a convincing 62-45 victory at Punahou.

A crowd of about 800 at Hemmeter Fieldhouse watched the Warriors — ranked No. 3 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches — improve to 6-1 in the ILH and into a first place tie with No. 1 'Iolani (6-1), which was upset by Saint Louis on Friday.

Punahou, ranked No. 4, fell to 3-3.

"That ('Iolani loss) definitely gave us a boost, it made this even more of a must-win game for us," said Kamehameha senior guard Pi'i Minns, who finished with a game-high 26 points and added six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. "Coach (Jesse Nakanishi) preached confidence all week — he wanted us to know we would win and expect to win."

Punahou jumped out to a 5-0 start, but the Warriors responded with a 9-0 run to end the period and then opened the second quarter with a 10-3 surge capped by Auwae DeRego's 3-pointer three minutes into it. The Buffanblu closed it to 19-12 on Matt Feldman's two free throws with 2:40 remaining, but Kamehameha ended the half with an 8-2 run with Minns hitting a 12-foot jumper with two seconds left for a 27-14 lead.

Punahou's shooting woes — making just 2 of 15 field goals in the first quarter and 0-of-6 in the second — were compounded when starting guard Dalton Hilliard sat down with four fouls midway through the second period.

"We got frustrated, but give Kamehameha credit, they got us frustrated," Buffanblu coach Dan Hale said. "Kamehameha is playing the best basketball of anybody in our league right now. Pi'i is just taking over, and we didn't have an answer for him. But they're playing good team ball overall. We're not there yet."

Punahou began the second half with a 5-0 run to close it to 27-19, but that was as close as the Buffanblu would get as Minns scored 17 points in the final two periods. After Punahou closed to 45-36 on Kimo Makaula's two free throws to open the final quarter, the Warriors went on another 9-2 run to make it 54-38 with four minutes remaining.

Sophomore forward Micah Christenson added 14 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal for Kamehameha.

"I'm really proud of our kids' effort and execution," Nakanishi said. "We heard about (the 'Iolani loss) last night, but we didn't focus on that. We just want to control what we can control, play with confidence and assurance, and have faith in ourselves. We've been coming around; this is a huge win for us."

KAMEHAMEHA (6-1) 9 18 18 17 — 62

PUNAHOU (3-3) 5 9 20 11 — 45

KAMEHAMEHA — Edmund Kamano 0, Shane Matayoshi 0, Micah Christenson 14, Wally Calistro 0, Chaz Bajet 3, Branson Dumlao 0, Pii Minns 26, Auwae DeRego 5, Shawn Bode 2, Koa Ka'ai 3, Blake Viena 5, Damien Teramae-Kaehuaea 4. Totals 23 11-25 62.

PUNAHOU — Dalton Hilliard 8, Robby Toma 8, Shane Yoshiyama 0, Sean McFadden 0, Taylor Crabb 8, Henry Cassiday 0, Kimo Makaula 8, Malik Johnson 2, James Dowsett 0, Matthew Feldman 8, Kainoa Gaddis 1, Casey Shibuya 0, Joshua Taylor 0, DeForest Buckner 2. Totals 13 13-15 45.

3-point goals: Kamehameha 5 (Christenson 2, Minns 2, DeRego). Punahou 6 (Toma 2, Crabb 2, Feldman 2).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456. Read his blog on high school sports at preptalk.honadvblogs.com.

MID-PACIFIC 67, MARYKNOLL 60:

Marcus Holyfield poured in 23 points, Sampson Won had 17 and Cameron Roberts 10, helping the visiting Owls, who took a 52-35 lead into the fourth quarter, hold off the Spartans.

MID-PACIFIC (3-4) 18 9 25 15 — 67

MARYKNOLL (0-7) 8 8 19 25 — 60

MID-PACIFIC — Jonathan Taniguchi 7, Ty Konno 0, Shane Kurihara 3, CJ Woolsey 1, Cameron Roberts 10, Patrick Young 0, Sampson Won 17, Marcus Holyfield 23, Matthew Reyes 2, Shaun Doboson 0, Dayton Uchiyama 0, John Sherlock 2, Matthew Carland 0, Brenton Beirne 2. Totals 25 13-27 67.

MARYKNOLL — Masashi Uematsu 1, Chasen St. Onge 9, Tyler Terai 18, Craig Shoji 0, Jordan Victorino 0, David Nosal 14, Kekiai Cashman-Fernandez 0, Dillon Keaney 8, Jacob Mayer 6, Davis Holt 4. Totals 19 18-25 60.

3-point goals: Mid-Pacific 4 (Won 2, Roberts, Holyfield). Maryknoll 4 (St. Onge 3, Keaney).

Reported by Scott Metcalf

ILH BOYS DIVISION II

UNIVERSITY HIGH 50, 'IOLANI 33:

Dylan Gomez scored 14, Benjamin Keller 11 and Noah Chong-Viernes 10, and the host Junior 'Bows pulled away from a 24-17 halftime lead to defeat the Raiders in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II game.

'IOLANI (3-6) 9 8 8 8 — 33

UNIVERSITY HIGH (8-1) 12 12 9 17 — 50

'IOLANI — Gavin Yorimoto 0, Larson Leu 7, Justin Ho 0, Kevin Serai 2, Travis Muraoka 4, Keenan Hoohuli 0, Jordan Tacon 0, Matthew Talavera 3, Jeffrey Sakamoto 4, Joshua Seto 4, Scott Sakaida 0, Curtis Martin 6, Chase Hu 1, Taylor Kennedy 2. Totals 12 8-15 33.

UNIVERSITY HIGH — Adam Oshiro 0, Gavin Vestal 0, Kent Morita 2, Scott Awaya 0, Noah Chong-Viernes 10, Kolio Copp 8, Dylan Gomez 15, Makena Rothenborg 4, Benjamin Keller 11, Nalu O'Connor 0. Totals 13 19-24 50.

3-point goals: 'Iolani 1 (Leu). University High 5 (Gomez 3, Chong-Viernes 2).

Reported by Wendi Chong-Viernes

HAWAI'I BAPTIST 53, LE JARDIN 43:

Landry Kiyabu scored 13 points and Reid Morihara and Kyle Barretta each added 10, leading the Eagles past the Bulldogs.

LE JARDIN (2-5) 6 13 14 10 — 43

HAWAI'I BAPTIST (7-1) 16 15 7 15 — 53

LE JARDIN — Tevin Togami 2, John Whitty 8, Kelvin Akamine 7, Kalani Soeda 9, Sean McWhinnie 0, Josh Kava 2, Wilson McCleod 5, Alex Gomes 0, Taylor Gray 6, William Durnin 4. Totals 13 15-24 43.

HAWAI'I BAPTIST — Ellison Iseri 4, Kelsey Uyehara 0, Shane Sato 0, Bryan Smits 0, Reid Morihara 10, John Kagehiro 2, Christian Morimoto 4, Ryan Leung 8, Nathan Le 2, Justin Seo 0, Kyle Barretta 10, Landry Kiyabu 13, Byron Kam 0. Totals 16 19-24 53.

3-point goals: Le Jardin 2 (Akamine, MaCleod). Hawai'i Baptist 2 (Leung 2).

Reported by Deren Oshiro

WORD OF LIFE 63, ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC 26:

Brad Foster had 14 points, Ralph Aviles Jr. and Gabe Miller each added 13, and the Firebrands took a 14-5 first-quarter lead and were never threatened by the Dolphins.

ACAD. OF PACIFIC (1-6) 5 5 8 8 — 26

WORD OF LIFE (6-2) 14 20 15 14 — 63

ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC — Ronald Nipp Jr. 7, Evan Paresa 2, Nicholas Gomes 3, Michael Datz-Rice 0, Lopaka Davis 0, Jordan Ching 2, Dan Stanfield 5, Nicholas Seberg 7, Dat Ong 0. Totals 9 6-12 26.

WORD OF LIFE — Raffi Torres 5, Ryan Alvarado 0, Ralph Aviles Jr. 13, David Daniels 2, Brad Foster 14, Gabe Miller 13, Issac Iwamoto 4, Kahu Moriani 2, Alex Robinson 2, Solomon Vellez 0, Mackenzie Togafua 4, Cobey Young-Bailey 4, Javerson Caires 0, TJ Russell 0. Totals 29 4-18 63.

3-point goals: Academy of the Pacific 2 (Nipp, Seberg). Word of Life 1 (Torres).

Reported by Wendi Chong-Viernes

ILH GIRLS DIVISION I

NO. 6 KAMEHAMEHA 61, NO. 5 'IOLANI 44:

Pua Furtado scored 20 and Lindsey Wong 11, leading the visiting Warriors over the Raiders in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I game.

Kamehameha led 26-25 at halftime, then outscored the Raiders, 35-19 in the second half. Tami Konishi led the Raiders with 18 points.

KAMEHAMEHA (4-5) 12 14 14 21 — 61

'IOLANI (6-3) 9 16 6 13 — 44

KAMEHAMEHA — Pualei Furtado 20, Dalian Krampert 1, Sanoe Keliinoi 7, Noelani Mikami 4, Tia Perreria 0, Zianna Zablan 1, Lindsey Wong 11, Pomaikai Kalakau 2, Kellsie Crowell 0, Piikea Kalakau 2, Makana Borden 4, Kylie Roy 9. Totals 16 26-37 61.

'IOLANI — Elysse Tom 0, Tami Konishi 18, Kylie Maeda 4, Saphrye Rezentes 0, Lori Yamashita 6, Georgette Lopes-Liutolo 4, Kaitlyn Shikada 1, Mahina Haina 1, Lahela Usui 10, Shauni Watanabe 0, Brittany Barnes 0. Totals 12 16-25 44.

3-point goals: Kamehameha 3 (Furtado 3). 'Iolani 4 (Konishi 3, Usui).

Reported by 'Iolani Athletics

NO. 7 MID-PACIFIC 56, SACRED HEARTS 44:

Jordan Kealoha and Johnelle Kapua each scored 13 points, and Ashley Yamachika and Keaton McFadden each added 11, leading the visiting Owls past the Lancers.

MID-PACIFIC (4-5) 11 16 13 16 — 56

SACRED HEARTS (1-8) 9 11 13 11 — 44

MID-PACIFIC — Ashley Yamachika 11, Paige Young 0, Johnelle Kapua 13, Jacqueline Donovan 0, Shanon Nishimura 0, Kelli Shibata 0, Jordan Kealoha 13, Taylor Babbitt 6, Keaton McFadden 11, Jenna Savusa 2. Totals 20 12-18 56.

SACRED HEARTS — Kara Vause 0, Rayna Munos 11, Kamri Lin 6, Morgan Donohue 0, Sara Souza 0, Lindsey Bareng 3, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 11, Theresa O'Connor 2, Kuhina Luis 6, Naihe Paikai 5. Totals 17 5-15 44.

3-point goals: Mid-Pacific 4 (Kealoha 3, Yamachika). Sacred Hearts 5 (Munos 3, Bareng, Paikai).

Reported by Gail Juan

ILH GIRLS DIVISION II

MARYKNOLL 65, HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY 34:

Ashley Agcaoili had 14 points, Shuilina Wu 11 and the Spartans raced to a 24-7 first-quarter lead and never looked back in routing the Lady Knights in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II game.

MARYKNOLL (7-0) 24 15 10 16 — 65

HAWAIIAN MISSION (1-8) 7 7 11 9 — 34

MARYKNOLL — Kristen Canencia 4, Stacie Lau 0, Shuilina Wu 11, Nicole Lee 7, Kayla Godinet 4, Ashley Agcaoili 14, Kelcie Lau 2, Miho Arai 0, Corine Gushikuma 0, Amanda Tseu 4, Ashley Shiroma 4, Melissa Ching 4, Soana Fifita 4, Tiana Marquez 7. Totals 30 3-5 65.

HAWAIIAN MISSION — Rachel Reyes 0, Alana Muller 4, Melissa Mishima 5, Samantha Ramos 15, Tiffany Pinontoan 2, Caroline Kim 0, Hope Leao 4, Ana Bechard 4, Stephanie Valencia . Totals 11 7-15 34.

3-point goals: Maryknoll 2 (Lee, Marquez). Hawaiian Mission Acad. 5 (Ramos 5).

Reported by Lei Kinimaka

HAWAI'I BAPTIST 47, ST. FRANCIS 45:

Narissa Fujii scored 12 points and Keline Yoshimura added 10, helping the host Eagles edge the Troubadours.

ST. FRANCIS (5-3) 11 8 12 14 — 45

HAWAI'I BAPTIST (6-2) 6 16 10 15 — 47

ST. FRANCIS — Breanne Suyeyoshi 0, Ashley Kawamata 7, Ululani Reyes 7, Roblyn Silva 6, Kristen Enomoto 0, Aja Gample 10, Cierra Gauvin 0, Chardonnay Pao 11, Justine Silva 0, Jasmine Teal 4. Totals 16 10-24 45.

HAWAI'I BAPTIST — Stefanie Sueda 0, Sharon Kim 0, Keline Yoshimura 10, Narissa Fujii 12, Reana Lee 6, Jordin Ramos 8, Kayla Yamamoto 2, Lindsay Strach 5, Jennifer Young 4. Totals 15 14-23 47.

3-point goals: St. Francis 3 (Kawamata, Reyes, Gample). Hawai'i Baptist 3 (Yoshimura 2, Fujii).

Reported by Deren Oshiro

OIA GIRLS RED EAST

NO. 1 FARRINGTON 63, ROOSEVELT 46:

Sofia Folaumahina had 17 points, Kirsten Liana added 11, and the visiting Governors took a 32-19 halftime lead in beating the Rough Riders in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East game.

FARRINGTON (10-0) 16 16 14 17 — 63

ROOSEVELT (6-4) 12 7 15 12 — 46

FARRINGTON — Jasmine Funtanilla 0, Angie Argel 0, Natalie Mata 8, Lucky Crichton 2, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 6, Precious Maave 5, Janell Nance 2, Macilee Moi 2, Kirsten Liana 11, Valerie Lesu 6, Sofia Folaumahina 17, Aisha Gaea 0, Lusina Otineru 4. Totals 24 14-21 63.

ROOSEVELT — Charisse Tanabe 0, Kelcie Namba 1, Samantha Murakami 0, Kathleen Nakata 2, Nicole Ramirez 21, Abcde Furuta-Harada 2, Rachel Gomes 0, Joshy Noga 9, Cierra Kapea 0, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 11. Totals 15 11-17 46.

3-point goals: Farrington 1 (Maave). Roosevelt 5 (Ramirez 4, Noga).

JV — Farrington 47, Roosevelt 41.

Reported by Clint Chikamori

KALANI 54, MOANALUA 45:

Violet Alama scored 15 points, Ashlyn Onaga added 13 and the visiting Falcons took a 29-20 lead at intermission and held off Na Menehune.

KALANI (4-5) 10 19 11 14 — 54

MOANALUA (3-6) 10 10 9 16 — 45

KALANI — Joyce Lam 0, Kelsie Maslanka 0, Tiffany Liao 0, Corie Kuia 5, Ashlyn Onaga 13, Kiera Zinuma 3, Cristine Sasano 3, Kristi Belshe 4, Hikaru Kumagai 2, Jamie Higa 7, Tiare Maafala 2, Loretta Misaalefua 0, Violet Alama 15. Totals 19 11-19 54.

MOANALUA — Brittney Calucag 0, Briana Dacoscos 2, Kiley Lau 0, Joanna Nicolas 3, Michelle Hardy 8, Melanie Smith 2, Amanda Selvey 2, Jaiden Rego 16, Hoku Dela Cruz 6, A.J. Verdida 6, Justine Aguas 0. Totals 17 10-18 45.

3-point goals: Kalani 5 (Onaga 2, Zinuma, Sasano, Higa). Moanalua 1 (Dela Cruz).

JV — Kalani vs. Moanalua, not available.

Reported by Moanalua Athletics

CASTLE 42, KAILUA 36:

Cailee Awa scored 17 and the host Knights rallied from a 34-26 deficit after three quarters by outscoring the Surfriders, 16-2, in the final period.

KAILUA (3-7) 14 7 13 2 — 36

CASTLE (1-10) 5 10 11 16 — 42

KAILUA — Jayna Hanawahine 3, Tawny Kiko 4, Sola Williams 6, Teuila Afele 2, Zsalei Kamaka 0, Ka'u Kohatsu 0, Alysha Franco 0, Anu Ah Yun 10, Ashley Jacobs 11. Totals 15 3-5 36.

CASTLE — Brande Sasaki 4, Cailee Awa 17, Britt Hawn 0, Britt Lane 5, Leisha Li'ili'i 1, Kaity Wills 2, Macee Moe 1, Ashley Ballestenos 0, Nicole Aberilla 5, Joshell Lilio 5, Kree Espinda 2. Totals 12 18-30 42.

3-point goals: Kailua 3 (Jacobs 2, Hanawahine). Castle none.

JV — Kailua 30, Castle 27.

Reported by Jeff McKeown

OIA GIRLS RED WEST

'AIEA 55, WAI'ANAE 34:

Carol Sio scored 14 points, Natasha Helsham added 12 and visiting Na Ali'i led 28-18 at halftime, then used a 18-2 third quarter to roll past the Seariders in an OIA Red West game.

'AIEA (8-2) 16 12 18 9 — 55

WAI'ANAE (0-10) 9 9 2 14 — 34

'AIEA — Ashley Liilii 4, Celeste Fong 2, Natasha Helsham 12, Natasha Fong 4, Brianna Brooks 0, Crystal Tagudin 8, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 3, Emily Tausaga 2, Shayla Kuehu 6, Carol Sio 14. Totals 25 5-11 55.

WAI'ANAE — Alesa Ramaila 2, Emma Atiga 0, Beverly Madrid 16, Evalani Yoshimura 0, Geneviene Cuesta 8, Shantel Buckner 8, Emma Tanoi 0. Totals 12 9-24 34.

3-point goals: 'Aiea none. Wai'anae 1 (Madrid). JV — Wai'anae 37, 'Aiea 33.

Reported by Kevin Nakamoto

MILILANI 67, CAMPBELL 54:

Chelsea Basilio hit six 3-pointers and scored 24 points, and Darcey Goulsby added 12 points as the Trojans topped the host Sabers in an OIA Red West game.

MILILANI (8-2) 18 11 15 23 — 67

CAMPBELL (4-5) 10 14 10 20 — 54

MILILANI — Chelsea Basilio 24, Tiff Lagua 0, Jordan Sakai 8, Darcey Goulsby 12, Sophie Chang 9, Pomai Grube-Hose 0, Amber Ogata 0, Kellise Dela Cruz 0, Sam Yuki 8, Celine Garces 0, Abby McKoy 4, Cory Ramos 0, Kyla Alcantra 2, Andi Felise 0, Elima Pangorang 0. Totals 25 10-18 67.

CAMPBELL — Ama Lui 17, Jaysha Delizo 4, Karen Tano 0, Chantaty Samante 2, Sammi Aki 0, Ikoa Dias-Kekahuna 0, Stormi Wright 2, Ariel Medlin 6, Randi Wright 2, Oli Kila 21, Chelsey McDonald 0. Totals 19 15-24 54.

3-point goals: Mililani 7 (Basilio 6, Chang). Campbell 1 (Kila).

JV — Campbell 39, Mililani 33.

Reported by Jodi Bantolina

PEARL CITY 34, KAPOLEI 27:

Jordan Ahakuelo scored 10 points and the visiting Chargers led 20-18 at halftime and outscored the Hurricanes, 14-9, the rest of the way.

PEARL CITY (5-4) 6 14 6 8 — 34

KAPOLEI (5-5) 8 10 4 5 — 27

PEARL CITY — Charmagne Monis 2, Ashley Goto 0, Shanise Gabriel-Yomes 4, Victoria Victor 0, Glacen Florita 9, Jordan Ahakuelo 10, Alana Kaili 5, Keshia Manning 4, Leina Basques 0, Emme Cabrejos 0. Totals 13 8-27 34.

KAPOLEI — Krystal Jacobs 2, Danniel Tapat 6, Victoria Afoa 4, Sarah Awana 0, Rhilee Soriano 4, Alysse Bishop 0, Kawehi Hagi 3, Cherece Beyer 2, Shaina Ducosin 2, Kayla Fuataga 0, Nicole Fuataga 4. Totals 7 12-17 27.

3-point goals: Pearl City none. Kapolei 1 (Tapat). JV — Kapolei 56, Pearl City 36.

Reported by Jo-Ann Payongayong

OIA GIRLS WHITE

KAISER 70, 'ANUENUE 26:

Chelsy Okuma scored 16, Lijah Bowerman12, Keely Bitanga 11 and Daryn Vorderbruegge 10, powering the visiting Cougars over Na Koa.

KAISER (6-4) 16 15 22 17 — 70

'ANUENUE (0-10) 7 11 8 0 — 26

KAISER — Alaiza Del Andre 2, Lijah Bowerman 12, Chelsy Okuma 16, Keely Bitanga 11, Kaitlyn Nakano 2, Bailey Miller 9, Daryn Vorderbruegge 10, Shelby Pa 8. Totals 28 5-7 70.

'ANUENUE — Nanea Kon 0, Kenui Wahilani 8, Leikula Gottlieb 2, Nalani Kamano 8, Kahanu Walker 0, Kapela Kahili 6, Ho'onani Wahilani 2, Kala Lewis 0. Totals 11 0-6 26.

3-point goals: Kaiser 9 (Bitanga 3, Miller 3, Okuma 2, Vorderbruegge). 'Anuenue 4 (Wahilani 2, Kamano 2).

Reported by Olino Kaleopaa

NANAKULI 40, WAIPAHU 37:

Violet Mau scored 16, Kirstie Rosa added 13, and the visiting Golden Hawks took a 28-21 lead into the fourth quarter and held off the Marauders.

NANAKULI (5-6) 8 8 12 12 — 40

WAIPAHU (2-7) 11 8 2 16 — 37

NANAKULI — Stephanie Kalili 4, Kirstie Rosa 13, Napualani Kelii 0, Potesia Toli 1, Camille Simon 0, Raeniece Talo 0, Shashawn Kekahuna 2, Maresena Foi 0, Violet Mao 16, Erica Sula 0, Nainiuolealelei K 4. Totals 18 4-11 40.

WAIPAHU — Jessica Lozano 0, Genevie Velasco 10, Brendalyn Brub 0, Shanice Julio 5, Amber Javier 0, Alyssa Torres 4, Dara Aiwohi-Dutro 6, Geneva Balladares 12, Moriah Blackmon 0, Adrienne Mendiola 0. Totals 17 1-9 37.

3-point goals: Nanakuli none. Waipahu 2 (Baladares).

JV — Nanakuli 35, Waipahu 29.

Reported by Ranelle Soliai

LEILEHUA 50, WAIALUA 13:

Michelle Fletcher scored 14 points, and the host Mules raced to a 18-4 halftime lead in cruising past the Bulldogs.

WAIALUA (1-6) 2 2 3 6 — 13

LEILEHUA (6-3) 9 9 7 25 — 50

WAIALUA —Deja Lunasco 3, Christel Banis 0, Hoku Ho 7, Courtney Kilday 0, Gabby Maxwell 0, Alyssiah Hernandez 2, Savannah Ash 1, Shaurice Talaroc 0. Totals 4 3-6 13.

LEILEHUA — Ashley Gonzales 0, Chelsey Fontes 4, Patricia Lindo 6, Alaina Johnson 2, Starr Hayashida 5, Vanessa Bocobo 4, Keke Moala 0, Michelle Fletcher 14, Mariyah Tamaalemalo 0, Toe Motu 6, Brittany Taufui 4, Carline Wilson 2, Alondra Hooks 3. Totals 19 7-16 50.

3-point goals: Waialua 2 (Lunasco, Ho). Leilehua 5 (Lindo 2, Fletcher 2, Hayashida).

JV — Leilehua 50, Waialua 5.

Reported by Kristie Sasamura