Boys basketball

Was busy writing the print story on Kamehameha-Kailua, but this final game of the night at the Punahou Invitational has been one sprint after another by two teams that want to run. Punahou led 23-7 after one quarter, but Punahou’s cohesive, relentless fullcourt pressure is basically 32 minutes of hell for many teams. Now I’m informed that the St. Francis tournament was delayed earlier due to a leak in the roof. That means the last game between Christian Academy and […]

Kailua may be unranked right now, but their defense, length and toughness make them a formidable opponent for any team. Kamehameha has played well of late, taking the consolation title at the ‘Iolani Classic. This could be a real good one at the Punahou Invitational. FIRST QUARTER Kailua cleaning the boards. Christian Mejia already with seven rebounds. KS leads 7-4 after one. SECOND QUARTER The Warrior are so good at pushing the ball on the break, and then capitalizing on […]

El Segundo (Calif.) is the home team, dressed in all-white uniforms with black numbers and dark yellow trim. McKinley is in charcoal gray uniforms with dark yellow numbers. FIRST QUARTER The Eagles are facing a 2-3 zone by McKinley, well coached. Patient. Defensively, they’re running a soft three-quarter press. The have handled it without a turnover. The Eagles, though, are getting inside and have a 9-4 lead with 3:20 left. Time out, Tigers. Eagles push the ball quickly for a […]

The Maryknoll Spartans and Kahuku Red Raiders figured to have a battle this morning. Instead, only five Kahuku suited up (see more below), and seventh-ranked Maryknoll rolled to a 79-37 win at the Punahou Invitational. Hayato Kamata scored 11 points, all in the first half, for Maryknoll. Jaylen Cain added 10 as the Spartans used their reserves early and often. Keanu Akina poured in 20 points for Kahuku. Taimona Wright added 10. 12:35 p.m. I got here after the game […]

FIRST QUARTER Both teams with a lot of defensive pressure. Cleveland, from Portland, Ore., using a three-quarter press. That’s been a popular weapon for a lot of teams from here and elsewhere this preseason. HALFTIME The half ends with both teams tied at 19. THIRD QUARTER Another 8 minutes of defensive prowess and shooting struggles. The Warriors called time out with :01 left and drew up a perfect play to get Stellan Roberts a wide-open 12-foot jumper on the baseline […]

The fourth game of the opening day of the Punahou Invitational is at the half. It’s been a back-and-forth battle between the tall team from Jiang’an, Whuan, Hubei, China, and the maroon-and-white squad from Kalihi. Farrington hit five 3-pointers against Wu Han’s three-quarter court pressure and that’s kept the Governors in the game. They have just seven players suited up for this game, but it hasn’t hurt them so far. The Governors go ahead 40-39 when Miah Fepuleai hustles after […]

The Junior Rainbows of University High got a tough challenge from the young Rough Riders for one half. Then their three-quarter press turned a tight game into a runaway. Anthony Canencia scored eight of his 13 team-high points in the first quarter. Ryan Hobus was scoreless for one quarter before scoring 13 points.

Right now, No. 1 ‘Iolani leads No. 7 Kalaheo 7-6 after one quarter here at Punahou. A parent of one of Kalaheo’s players told me that Kekai Smith is not dressed because he’s going to have surgery on a meniscus (knee). He’s been playing, and playing well, despite the injury. From what I’ve seen of Kalaheo recently, they are fairly quick and cohesive as a group, but there’s no question Smith is their on-court leader. He returned as a senior […]