Boys Basketball
Punahou wins Invitational title over Maryknoll, 58-36


Wes Nakama
December 23, 2011, 7:05pm

  


Fri, Dec 23, 2011 @ Stan Sheriff

Maryknoll

36

Punahou

58

Final 1 2 3 4  
Maryknoll (7-7, 15-9) 10 108836
Punahou (11-1, 21-1) 14 15 16 1358
K. Fey 14 pts
A. Gaskins 10 pts
Punahou ended the first period with a 14-4 run and began the second half with a 10-2 spurt this afternoon to race past Maryknoll, 58-36, for the Punahou Basketball Invitational championship.

The game was played at Stan Sheriff Center during a break in the Diamond Head Classic.

Maryknoll jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first three minutes, but Punahou got untracked and tied it at 10-10 on Taylor Henderson's 3-pointer with 3:27 remaining in the period. Henderson followed with a baseline jumper and then Sean Gruebner scored on a layup to make it 14-10 heading into the second.

Buffanblu freshman Micah Ma'a later drained a 3-pointer midway through the second period to start a 9-2 run that put Punahou ahead, 29-20, at the half.

"The same thing happened to us last year in this arena, we got off to a slow start," Buffanblu coach Darren Matsuda said. "I think the depth perception, the shooting perception a little different and it takes getting used to. Plus the kids were excited to be playing here. Once we settled down, we were OK."

DeForest Buckner began the second half with a slam dunk off a backcourt steal to ignite a 10-2 run that made it 39-22 after a 3-pointer by Nick Velasquez with 4:24 left in the third period.

The Spartans could not get closer than 15 points the rest of the way, but Matsuda said Maryknoll will nonetheless be a factor in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu race under first-year coach Kelly Grant.

"I definitely think they are (a contender), they're gonna get better and they're good already," Matsuda said. "They have a good combination of swings, posts and guards. That 6-9 center (Tobias Schramm) uses his body well and (freshman guard Kaleb Gilmore) is very steady."

Punahou forward Kupono Fey led all scorers with 14 points and Buckner added 13 points.

Austin Gaskins led the Spartans with 10 points.

Punahou leaves Tuesday for the ESPN ISCORE/MaxPreps Tournament in San Diego set for Dec. 27-30. The Buffanblu will be without Buckner, a 6-8 center, and Kupono Fey, a 6-4 forward, as they will be participating in football and volleyball events, respectively.

"The first team we play (Poway, Calif.) has a 7-foot center," Matsuda said. "But we've played small before, and this will be a good bonding experience."



Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.

ADVERTISEMENT


IMAGE GALLERY


MORE STORIES

Photo extra: 2024 OIA Awards Banquet

Photos from the 2024 Oahu Interscholastic Association Awards Banquet Friday night at the Ala Moana Hotel...

Mililani's Duranceau headlines All-OIA West selections

The senior outside hitter helped lead the Trojans to the OIA Division I championship match and state...

Castle's Pili-Rumusod named All-OIA East POY

The senior setter set the table with over 300 assists and 100 digs for the Knights, who reached the OIA...

HMSA honors 19th class of Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program

The ceremony recognized 15 high school seniors and nine high schools for all-around excellence in academics,...

Aiea's Souza headlines All-OIA D2 softball honorees

The Na Alii junior was dominant in the circle and at the plate to help Aiea win the OIA Division II championship.

Kalani sweeps top honors in OIA Division I-East softball

Naomi Stremick's versatile play helped the Falcons represent the OIA D1 East in the state tournament.