Led by some last-second heroics by Nick Tuamoheloa, Castle won its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division title with a 37-36 thrilling victory over rival Kailua yesterday.

A crowd of about 600 at Radford's Jim Alegre Gymnasium saw the Knights (14-3) claim just their second league basketball title (the other was in 1970) and clinch the OIA's top seed in next week's Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA State Tournament. Kailua (14-4) and third-place finisher Roosevelt have also earned berths.

"This is a huge win for the program," Castle coach Jeff Hiro said. "Hopefully it brings back some exposure back to Kane'ohe that we haven't had in the past few years."

The Knights trailed 36-34 after Kailua's Ali'i Kaiama hit the first of two free throws with 58 seconds left. Kenny Ellis grabbed the rebound for the Surfriders, but lost possession and a held-ball call gave possession to the Knights with 13 seconds left.

Isaiah Tilton inbounded the ball to KJ Aipia, who drove to his right, along the baseline, before finding an open Tuamoheloa in the left corner. Tuamoheloa hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds left on the clock.

"When I caught it, I just shot it. It was right there in my shooting pocket," Tuamoheloa said. "Right when I released it, it looked good. I had a feeling it was going in, even though the rotation was off, but it looked good."

Hiro said the play wasn't necessarily drawn up as a 3-pointer.

"It was to get an open shot — I said (to Tuamoheloa), 'You shoot the ball wherever you get it,' " Hiro said. "I told KJ to try and make a move, if you cannot, there's Nick on the opposite side of the floor ... It worked to perfection."

Kailua turned it over on its ensuing possession to end the game.

Castle last led, 10-7, after the first quarter. The Surfriders outscored the Knights, 15-7, in the second quarter to take a 22-17 lead into halftime.

Kailua led 29-22 after a banker by Kaiama midway through the third quarter, but Castle closed out the period on a 6-2 run to trail, 31-28, to start the fourth.

The Knights got to within a point after Tilton hit a 10-foot pull-up from the baseline to make it 35-34 with about two minutes to play. Kaiama made the first of two free throws on Kailua's next possession to make it a two-point game. Tuamoheloa hit his 3-pointer after each team had called a timeout with 13 seconds left. He finished with a team-high 11 points. Kaiama led all scorers with 13.

It was the fifth time the teams have met this season. They split the regular-season series and Castle won two of three in the double-elimination tournament.

CASTLE (14-3) 10 7 11 9 — 37

KAILUA (14-4) 7 15 9 5 — 36

CASTLE — Michael Santos 5, Russell Ige 0, Nick Tuamoheloa 11, Joshua Kong 0, Dennis Barrientos 0, Isaiah Tilton 5, Moses Alimoot 0, Adam Canne 0, Brent Roberts 6, KJ Aipia 4, Jordan Aleki 6. Totals 17 1-4 37.

KAILUA — Chevy Mikaele 0, Calen Friel 0, Rhys Nakakura 0, Kauila Miller 2, Dylan Farias 8, Kenny Ellis 8, Corey Lau 5, Luis Valenzuela 0, Ali'i Kaiama 13, Tesi Fisilau 0, Jordan Decorte 0. Totals 13 7-11 36.

3-point field goals—Castle: 2 (Tilton, Tuamoheloa). Kailua: 3 (Farias 2, Lau).

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2404.

HANALANI 47, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 45

Darin Kamealoha scored 22 points and John Suh added 13 as the host Royals built a 37-27 lead entering the fourth quarter and fended off the Patriots to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II Tournament title.

Michael Urcia scored 28 points for Christian Academy.

CHRISTIAN ACAD. (6-11) 10 8 9 18 — 45

HANALANI (10-6) 8 12 17 10 — 47

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY — Jason Ko 7, Michael Urcia 28, Abel Orbistondo 4, Axton Durand 5, Zachary Fu 0, Micah Sugiura 0, Jasen Ocol 1. Totals 16 11-23 45.

HANALANI — Andrew Kutaka 0, Darin Kamealoha 22, PJ Minaya 2, Matt Simbre 2, Matt Guerrero 7, Bryson Honda 1, Daniel Muraoka 0, John Suh 13, Andrew Rattanasamay 0, Hurbert Barbosa . Totals 17 11-17 47. 3-point goals: Christian Academy 2 (Ko, Urcia). Hanalani 2 (Guerrero).

Reported by Rob Araki