Top-seeded ‘Iolani and rival Punahou have tipped off as the championship game is underway. The first quarter ends tied at 8.
SECOND QUARTER
Jared Lum scored five points, including a tough, twisting layup in traffic, to help Punahou stay close. But ‘Iolani got the edge with Robby Mann attacking the rim (five points) and Zach Gelacio hitting a three (five points in the quarter).
Possible big call happened in the final second of the half when Punahou’s Maninoa Tufono grabbed an offensive board and went up for a shot. It was swatted by Hugh Hogland, who was whistled for a foul. Replay showed minimal contact and, of course, Raider fans went ballistic. Tufono missed the FTs with :00.2.
THIRD QUARTER
‘Iolani led 30-23 when Punahou’s Hunter Lee fouled Gelacio in the backcourt. Gelacio got up firing words at Lee and was whistled for a technical foul. Chris Kobayashi hit the technical FTs, but Punahou couldn’t get closer than five.
Mann drove for smooth lefty scoop shot, 32-25. TV time out, 3:15, ‘Iolani 32-25.
IOL leads 37-29 after three.
FOURTH QUARTER
Hunter Lee and Zayne Chong swish 3-point bombs and cut the lead to 39-35. Time out, IOL, 5:15.
After Chong worked a pick and roll with Troske for a lob and layup, it was 39-37. Hogland travels with the ball on the low post as a double team arrives. Punahou ball, time out, 3:37.
Kobayashi’s foul-line jumper curls out, IOL ball. Gelacio fouled, hits the first of a 1-and-1, 40-37, 1:50. Time out, PUN.
Chong’s 22-footer misses just an inch long with with 10 seconds left. It would’ve given Punahou the lead. IOL closes out with FTs to claim the title.
FINAL: IOL 45, PUN 40.
Did anyone see the last timeout when Coach Matsuda and Punahou had the ball down 2 with 16 seconds left? He didn’t even have his board out to draw up a last possession? He was stumped. They basically came out of the timeout and ran nothing. Just spread the floor and take an ill-advised jump shot. That was your play of out a timeout? I have no idea how he continues to keep his job. If this was Kahuku, they would have his head.
Good point though was just glad turned out competitive, overall nice competition nice game. That’s what it comes down to in the final ticks, coaching strategies. Yep, both teams were even steven though I guess coaching could’ve decided the victory for the buff n blu if anything.
I have to agree that the Punahou Coach is a lucky recipient of great talent. He makes very elementary mistakes. If he was at a school with less talent they would win like 1 or 2 games. I don’t know who’s worst, Matsuda or Kam (the Punahou Girls Coach). It’s like Punahou is trying hard to find the worst coaches then hire them. Kam was so bad at MPI that she won like 10% of her games and kids didn’t want to play for her which is why they currently don’t have a JV team. Rumor has it that several prominent Varsity players will not come out for girls Varsity 1 basketball next year, choosing to plays D2 or a totally different sport. If that is true, then the situation is very unfortunate.
Time for HI DOE coaches to start rearranging the pay schedule table or whatever. Kids need great leaders on the gridiron, not gonna attract decent coaches without the money. Head coaches in Texas make 30 grand for one season. We need a Governor who’s gonna step up to the plate for coaches pay that’s for sure.