Here’s a look back at the state tourney and the impressive numbers of Kalaheo’s two major contributors, Kaleb Gilmore and Kupaa Harrison. Gilmore was selected athlete of the week (see Tuesday’s Star-Advertiser).
Gilmore, a senior guard, was productive and clutch as the Mustangs won four games in four nights to win the Division I state championship. He had 22 points, five assists and six steals against Maui; 25 points, four boards against top-seeded Punahou; four points, eight assists, four steals against Kahuku; 30 points against ‘Iolani in the finals. His free-throw shooting was especially crucial. Gilmore shot 91 percent from the foul line (40-for-44), including 16-for-17 against Punahou and 18-for-20 against ‘Iolani.
Kaleb Gilmore
vs Maui fg 7-19 (3-pt 2-7) ft 6-7 22 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 7 to, 6 stl, 28 min
vs Punahou 4-9 (1-3) 16-17 25 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 4 to, 1 stl, 19 min
vs Kahuku 2-9 (0-6) 0-0 4 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast, 5 to, 4 stl, 29 min
vs ‘Iolani 5-11 (2-3) 18-20 30 pts, 1 reb, 0 ast, 0 to, 0 stl, 32 min
TOT 18-48 (5-19) 40-44 81 pts, 10 reb, 14 ast, 16 to, 11 stl
fg .375 ft .909 20.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 4 tpg, 2.8 spg
If Gilmore, who was voted most outstanding player of the Division I tourney, was truly most outstanding, then Harrison was extremely invaluable. Clearly, not more valuable than Gilmore, but perhaps equally in terms of leading the Mustangs in so many areas, especially after Gilmore injured his ankle in the first quarter of the semifinals against Kahuku. Harrison stepped up with 19 points in that win. Their scoring production reversed, essentially, the next night in the title game with ‘Iolani.
I can’t remember the last time I saw a point forward/center run the offense so often, handle fullcourt press as the lead ballhandler, and still grab 16 rebounds against a big, tough rebounding team like the Raiders.
Kupaa Harrison
vs Maui fg 8-13 (0-2) ft 3-3 19 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast, 2 to, 10 stl, 29 min
vs Punahou 2-4 (0-0) 8-11 12 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 to, 1 blk, 1 stl, 31 min
vs Kahuku 7-12 (2-3) 3-4 19 pts, 3 reb, 0 ast, 3 to, 2 stl, 32 min
vs ‘Iolani 0-5 (0-0) 1-3 1 pt 16 reb, 5 ast, 4 to, 1 stl, 32 min
TOT 17-34 (2-3) 15-21 51 pts, 36 reb, 9 ast, 11 to, 14 stl
fg .500 ft .714 12.8 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.8 tpg, 3.5 spg
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