Three games are in the books on the final day of the St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic. Now it’s the championship game between No. 1 Punahou and No. 6 St. Francis.
No. 1 Punahou 87, No. 6 St. Francis 55, FINAL
Punahou (11-1) has won nine in a row since losing to Damien two weeks ago. The Buffanblu resurgence continues with a second-half tsunami that left the fatigued Saints far behind. Jakob Kimura and Tamatoa Falatea led the way with 14 points each, and Yoshi Kobayashi added 11. Versatile Kaulana Makaula tallied 10 points and sparked the Buffanblu defensively.
Kordel Ng led the Saints (7-5) with 32 points, 25 in the first half. Kameron Ng remains sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Also out was center Makua Marumoto. G Jett Tanuvasa played most of the game despite an ankle injury.
Punahou 74, St. Francis 47, end Q3
The Saints were within 54-45 when the Buffanblu went on an 20-0 run, which again included a reverse layup from Clemens. Ng ended the scoring drought for the Saints with a driving bucket 5 seconds before the end of the quarter.
Punahou 48, St. Francis 39, halftime
St. Francis led 35-34 when Punahou went on a 12-2 run, capped by a reverse layup by Duke Clemens. Saints C Nalu Kanalulu picked up his third foul and sat the final 4 minutes of the half. The Buffanblu opened the lead to nine, but a torrent of passing miscues prevented a bigger run.
St. Francis 26, Punahou 22, 5:11, Q2
Ng goes coast to coast and glides in for another layup to give the Saints their first lead, 23-22, early in the second quarter. Titus Liu then drains an NBA-range 3 from the left wing for a four-point St. Francis wing.
No. 1 Punahou 22, No. 6 St. Francis 20, end Q1
Kordel Ng is playing out of his mind again, an unstoppable force of nature slashing to the bucket. Punahou won’t double him, so he’s getting free lanes, at least in the first quarter. Chase Akana, the 6 a.m. shooting-workout guy, has hit another 3 to help the Saints stay close.
No. 3 Damien 51, Lahainaluna 37, third place
Jake Holtz pumped in 15 and Bryce Forbes added 10 as the Monarchs bounced back from the first loss of the season during the semifinal round. Jydon Hall and Dorien Fernandez added eight points each. Tre Rickard led the Lunas with 14 points.
No. 10 Kahuku 64, Waiakea 46, fifth place
Ethan Erickson capped off a strong performance at the Classic with 23 points for the Red Raiders. Kenai Liua hustled on the boards for 10 points and sharpshooter Shion Reed hit four treys for 12 points.
William Soares led the Warriors with 13 points, 12 in the second half. Rekky Prudencio splashed three treys and finished with 11 points.
No. 10 Kailua 62, No. 5 Kalaheo 60, seventh place
PG Everett Torres-Kahapea and 6-6 swingman Isaiah Hopson poured in 21 points apiece as the Surfriders prevailed in a battle of Kailua district rivals. Ryan Pardini led a depleted Kalaheo roster with 22 points, splashing four of his six 3-pointers during the second quarter. Robert Thompson added 20 points.
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