By maintaining his composure, Jason Ko sealed the game for Christian Academy.

Ko made two free throws with 2 seconds remaining, helping Christian Academy rally for a thrilling 57-56 win over Le Jardin in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II boys basketball game Saturday.

Ko, a junior, finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and helped the Patriots (1-1) rally from a 41-31 deficit going into the fourth quarter.

"I told my teammates we can do this, we were in this deficit before, we can come back and win this game," Ko said. "And also before the fourth quarter, I said a short prayer to God and thanked him for the opportunity."

Ko was fouled on a 3-point attempt late in the fourth quarter and made all three free throws to put the Patriots ahead. Both teams traded leads and Le Jardin went ahead, 56-55, with 18 seconds remaining.

After a Patriots timeout with 8 seconds remaining, Christian Academy worked the ball to Ko on the left side, who drove into the paint and was fouled.

"Everyone was excited and I was trying to keep my composure and not get excited because the game wasn't over yet and I tried to keep my cool," Ko said. "My teammates were giving me high-fives after the first free throw. I was staying cool and not being excited, and I made the second one."

Christian Academy began applying a man-to-man defense and a full-court press in the second half. As the defensive pressure began to pay off, players became more confident.

"Believe in the defensive positioning that we've been teaching and the kids bought in and that's what they did," Christian Academy coach Arthur King said. "We were able to make a rally because of our defense."

The game was tied 6-6 after the first quarter and Le Jardin led 27-16 at halftime.

"I felt the team really came together as a team," King said. "We started out with one-on-one play, taking a lot of chances on defense and that was putting a strain on the team defense."

King said Ko is one of the team's leaders and is able to hit the big baskets. Ko also had three 3-pointers and blocked a few shots.

"We're hoping that a lot of the kids will buy into the patience that he has on the offensive end and defensive end," King said.

Aside from the defensive pressure, Ko said Christian Academy fans who made the trip to Kailua Recreation Center helped them rally for the win.

"The fans helped us a lot," Ko said. "It really pushed the momentum on our side the last three minutes when they got all into it. It gave us more confidence that we can do it."

Sophomore point guard Michael Urcia added 16 points in the win and drew the praise of his coach.

"He's a young point guard and he's still learning how to be a point guard," King said. "He showed tremendous (growth) in leading our team."

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2451.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

KAHUKU 67, WAIPAHU 29

Alysha Cummings scored 21 points and Jessica Falemalu added 11 as the Red Raiders (2-0) beat the Marauders (0-2) last night in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association White girls basketball game at Kahuku.

WAIPAHU (0-2) 10 7 7 5 — 29

KAHUKU (2-0) 17 17 18 15 — 67

WAIPAHU — Geneva Balladares 3, Moriah Blackmon 0, Brendalyn Brub 4, Rashia Chatman 5, Amber Javier 0, Shanice Julio 4, Jessica Lozano 2, Adrienne Mendiola 0, Alyssa Torres 0, Genevie Velasco 10, Kelcey Viliamu 1. Totals 11 6-15 29.

KAHUKU — Nile Te'o 8, Vaimalama Tito 1, Maria Tonga 2, Jessica Falemalu 11, Jovan Falemalu 4, Rachel Tailele 6, Alysha Cummings 21, Vaunelle Hingano 6, Adele Schwenke 8. Totals 28 9-11 67.

3-point goals: Waipahu 1 (Baladares). Kahuku 2 (Jessica Falemalu, Cummings).

JV — Kahuku 65, Waipahu 23.

Reported by Jeri Tugman

KAMEHAMEHA 75, HMA 33

Briauna Bissen and Neilina Vierra scored 12 points apiece as the Warriors (5-0) beat the host Knights (1-2) in an Interscholastic League of Hono-lulu Division II game.

KAMEHAMEHA (5-0) 17 20 20 18 — 75

HAWAIIAN MISSION (1-2) 5 13 10 5 — 33

KAMEHAMEHA — Briauna Bissen 12, Kimberly Ubilas 4, Kyndall Moi-Simeona 9, Cheyane Kamai 2, Kelly Opedal 7, Larissa Ogawa 6, Lacy Deniz 5, Neilina Vierra 12, Tehani Tamaye 2, Courtney Bartels 2, Rachel Kaneakua 8, Rotisha Hose 6. Totals 33 4-13 75.

HAWAIIAN MISSION — Rachel Reyes 0, Alana Muller 0, Melissa Mishima 8, Samantha Ramos 9, Tiffany Pinontoan 0, Caroline Kim 0, Colleen Uechi 0, Erika Tsubokura 0, Raquel Gonzalez 14, Ana Bechard 2. Totals 13 3-10 33.

3-point goals: Kamehameha 5 (Bissen 2, Opedal, Deniz, Kaneakua). Hawaiian Mission 4 (Ramos 3, Gonzalez).

Reported by Mark Kinimaka