(2:41 p.m. Adds Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi’s comments.)
Micah Christenson scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Kamehameha fell to powerful Canyon Springs (Nev.) 89-77 Tuesday in The Holiday Classic in San Diego, Calif.
Playing in the American Division, the second highest of five tiers in the 79-team tourney, Kamehameha led 40-36 at halftime against a team that Coach Jesse Nakanishi compared to Mt. Vernon (N.Y.). Kamehameha lost to Mt. Vernon at the ‘Iolani Classic last week; the Knights reached the Classic semifinal round.
“It was a tough game. We got a little worn down and the turnovers caught up to us,” coach Jesse Nakanishi said. “Their stud Michael Thompson took over.”
Thompson, who finished with 18 points (7-for-11) has committed to play for Boise State. Jared Brandon led all scorers with 26 points and corralled eight boards. Canyon Springs shot a whopping 69 percent (36-for-52) from the field, but Kamehameha forced them into 16 turnovers.
Dyrbe Enos tallied 23 points and Davis Achong chipped in with 10. Christenson, who shot 10-for-17 from the field and 8-for-11 from the foul line, also had a team-high seven assists and four steals, plus two blocks.
Meanwhile, in the Governor’s Division, ‘Iolani shut out Spanish Springs in the second quarter en route to a 63-42 victory Tuesday in consolation play. Trevyn Tulonghari led the way with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, and picked off four steals.
Josiah Sukumaran scored 12 points for a second consecutive day, and Gabriel Vega, bouncing back from a left wrist injury, added 11 points.
Kamehameha plays Bellevue (Wash.) today in a 5:25 p.m. (Pacific) game.
“MaxPreps has them ranked first in Washington state,” Nakanishi noted.
‘Iolani plays Vista Del Lago today at 2:15 p.m. (Pacific).
See scores and statistics at ESPN Rise.
Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser
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