Twain Wilson poured in 26 points as Team Blue overcame a late rally by Team Red for a 120-114 win in the Damien Farias Senior Classic on Saturday night at Saint Louis’ Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.
The Leilehua guard put on a display of marksmanship and athleticism with six 3-pointers and a couple of alley-oop dunks courtesy of Nanakuli guard Zion Donnell.
“It was great playing against all the best players. Everybody got plenty of run, as well, so it was a great experience,” Wilson said.
Kailua center Noa Donnelly had 10 of his 16 points in the first half, punishing Team Red with constant rim attacks.
“It’s repetition. He’s been constantly shooting every day, non-stop,” Donnelly said of Wilson.
“I shoot two hours a day, every day,” said Wilson, a 6-foot guard.
Donnelly warmed up in the pre-game 3-point challenge and showed off his stroke.
“I’ll take my fifth place in the shooting contest,” the 6-5 center said.
Wilson had a fine senior season, peaking in the playoffs and state tournament. Low key, high energy and always bringing defense.
“I’ll miss playing with my team, and seeing these guys compete at this level. It was really great seeing everybody out here having fun,” Wilson said.
Kaleb Guerrero of Kamehameha-Hawaii scored 12 of his 19 points in the final quarter for Team Blue, which led by double digits for most of the first half. James Taras (Punahou) slashed through traffic for 17 points.
Team Red rallied behind the hot shooting of Jeremiah White and Dillon Kellner. Team Red took the lead briefly in the final quarter as Kellner (Punahou) finished with 15 of his 21 points after halftime, splashing five treys. White (Kaimuki) also tallied 21 points, including five 3-pointers.
“That’s the most shots I’ve had in a game my whole basketball career,” Kellner said. “It was fun playing.”
Kellner will matriculate to the University of San Diego to play football and major in biology. White will play football for Coach Tim Chang at Hawaii.
“I want to play both sports,” Kellner said of his college career.
White plans to gain 15 pounds and enter UH at 190 pounds. He and ‘Iolani guard Nela Taliauli reminisced about their football battles. Taliauli (‘Iolani) added 14 points, swishing four treys.
“Going against him, Kaimuki, he’s a stud,” Taliauli said about White. “Not double team. Quadruple. Once the ball came out of (Iosefa) Letuli’s hands, we had to swarm to him.”
Ayndra Uperesa-Thomas (Punahou) hustled for 19 points, including 13 in the second half during Team Red’s comeback.
“I’m going to miss having my family at every game,” the 6-3 swingman said.
Uperesa-Thomas’ plan is to play college basketball in Oregon, where he has family.
Lupica won the 3-point challenge over Guerrero, scoring 18 points in the third and final round. The contest was held mostly before the game, and the final battle between Lupica and Guerrero was held during halftime after the skills challenge. Lupica was rewarded with a gift card to Raisin’ Cane’s.
“It feels good,” the 6-foot guard said.
The skills challenge included young keiki from the audience on a fun evening for families, players and coaches.
Baldwin senior Trotter Apo arrived with his parents for the game. The Classic held an informal pickup game on Friday night for the players.
“I love just being with a team, being around people. It was an honor to be here, that’s for sure,” the 6-3 sharpshooter said. “I want to major in music. Either that or go to flight school. Anywhere I can go to get a pilot’s license.”
Kapaa guard Keaka Kauhane had a cold streak until splashing a key corner 3 late in the game. His teammates never stopped feeding the 5-11 playmaker the ball.
“I’ll miss the friends I made along the way,” Kauhane said, chatting with Daysen Lupica (Kaimuki) and Donnell (Nanakuli). “We might go to (post-grad) school together.”
Blaise Arakawa (Saint Louis I-AA) nearly dunked the ball on the final play of the game, getting a big lift from a teammate. He joined Crusaders Luke Patton, Jiovanni Ramos and Jordan Posiulai at the game.
Posiulai, a scholar-athlete, is hoping to attend Princeton. He also may attend Loyola Marymount. Patton may attend UH or UNLV. The latter is where Ramos will attend school.
Saint Louis coach Dan Hale coached Team Red with Crusaders I-AA coach David O’Connor. Rob Muroda-Shklov and Katie Waki of Mid-Pacific coached Team Blue.
“It was how these games though. Everyone was doing their offensive stuff in the beginning. When it comes down to it, they start sucking it up and playing defense,” Hale said. “It’s fun for these guys to play one last time together. It was a good time.”
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