We’re at the half and I’m writing for print tomorrow, so this is an abbreviated update post.
IOL is using big scoring center Hugh Hogland on a very limited basis due to his ankle issue. He’s tweaked it twice in preseason already.
It’s been a great game so far with a lot of momentum switches and great shooting by both sides. IOL led 18-13 after one quarter. KAIS led 34-33 at the half.
Great back-and-forth in the last 3 minutes of the third quarter between Hogland in the post and Kalaugher both in the paint and at the arc. His NBA-range 3 over Hogland, outstretched at 6-foot-8, gave Kaiser a 42-39 lead with :04 left in the quarter. A lot of ooooohs from the ‘Iolani crowd.
The Cougars have been relatively patient in the fourth quarter, nursing a 47-40 lead. But they’ve also taken some tough shots, missing all four during a late stretch. Nick Kennedy’s layup cuts it to 47-42 with 1:40 left.
Michael Miske drives for a fastbreak lefty layup, and then Keoua Mahiko comes up with a steal and feeds Kalaugher for a layup, 51-42. IOL misses, Kaiser ball. Akiona to the line for 1-and-1, :55.9. He makes both, 53-42.
Raiders get a wing 3 from Mann and it’s 53-46. But I really don’t know why the Cougars keep fouling the Raiders in this final minute. I’m almost 100-percent sure Coach Branden Kawazoe didn’t ask his defense to do this. Basketball IQ…
POST-GAME
Chance Kalaugher was a wrecking crew tonight with 24 points (8-for-21 from the field) and 17 rebounds. He had seven boards on the offensive glass, a huge, huge number against any team, but particularly against ‘Iolani.
Mann led ‘Iolani with 14 points.
COMMENTS