Yates rallies in second half to turn back Kalaheo

Yates' Darrion Martin jams one home against Kalaheo. Greg Yamamoto | SL

In the second game of the 'Iolani Prep Classic, the Yates Lions from Houston, Texas got all they could handle from the Kalaheo Mustangs, having to rally back from as many as 15 points in the second half in a 76-73 victory.

Led by the perimeter shooting of guards Josh Ko and Kalei Zuttermeister, the 'Stangs built an 8 point lead, 28-20 and would enjoy a 38-24 margin over the Lions at halftime.

In the third quarter, Yates was called for two goal tends, and Ko hit another 3-pointer to put Kalaheo up 48-31 with 5:52 left in the quarter. Yates chipped away at the lead with a run of their own and trimmed the margin to just 60-55 at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter, Yates battled back. A lay up by Yates guard Darrion Martin put the Lions up 65-64 and it was their first lead since the first quarter.

Kalei Zuttermeister banked a three pointer to give the Mustangs back the lead, 68-66, but Darrion Martin answered with a jump shot to tie the game at 68.

Zuttermeister would respond, draining a three pointer in the right corner to put the Mustangs up again, 71-68.

With the score tied at 73-all, Yates' Joseph Anderson stole the ball, passed it to Melvin Swift and he lobbed it to Martin for the dunk, to put the Lions up 75-73.

The Mustangs would hurt themselves with two backcourt violations down the stretch and the Lions were able to run out the clock.

Kalei Zuttermeister led the Mustangs with 26 points and hit six 3 pointers and Josh Ko added 19 points and three 3 pointers. Darrion Martin led the Lions with 19 points, Sadiq Inowa added 16 and J.C. Washington scored 14 points.

Kalaheo will play Tsinghua on Thursday at 9:30 am in consolation bracket play, while Yates advances to play La Lumiere on Thursday at 3:30 pm.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].