Punahou's Nick Velasquez drives to the basket against Kamehameha. Eugene Tanner | SL

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011913_ET_Kam vs Punahou_02_0265.JPG - Eugene Tanner | SL

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The Punahou Buffanblu combined a hard-nose defense and a quick start to defeat the Kamehameha Warriors, 61-45, at the Hemmeter Fieldhouse on Saturday night.  Punahou improved their record to (4-1) on the season while the Warriors dropped to (2-3).

"We've been just concentrating on our defense, trying to get better every day," said Punahou Head Coach Darren Matsuda.  "It was a game that we really worked hard defensively and preparing for what they do."

Nick Velasquez led the way for the Buffanblu with 22 points, four treys, and four steals, while chipping in an assist and going two for two from the line.

When asked about his game, Velasquez said it was alright.  "My point guards found me, teammates found me, just trying to help out the team the best way I can.  Scoring is kind of my role on the team so I just got to look for my shots."

Punahou set the tone defensively early on in the game denying all of Kamehameha's field goal attempts in the first quarter.  Velasquez scored the first six points of the game as part of his game high 22 points. Starting point guard Jordan Tanuvasa also pitched-in a trey to give Punahou a 9-0 lead, forcing Kamehameha Head Coach Julian Nakanishi to call timeout with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter.

"We got blitzed early and we struggled," declared Kamehameha Head Coach Julian Nakanishi.  "We try to make our usual comeback; give them credit, they shot the ball extremely well."

The Buffanblu scored only two more points the rest of the quarter coming off Tanuvasa's drive and dish to center Kupono Fey for the easy lay-in. Kamehameha hit two free throws to give them their only points of the first quarter.

Punahou led 11-2 after the first period of play.

"We shot the ball well, we hit three three's right away and that was fortunate for us to get that," exclaimed Matsuda.

Warrior's leading scorer Makoa Camanse-Stevens used the glass for the first points of the second quarter.  Both teams traded baskets before Punahou's Daniel Andrews had a nice mini scoring run of his own.  Tanuvasa drove left and fed Andrews near the weak side low block with a smooth no-look pass.  On the next possession, Andrews hit a mid-range jumper over two Warrior defenders.  Andrews finished the night with eight points, three assists and one block shot.

After the mini Andrews run, Camanse-Stevens began to do some work himself.  He found teammate Austin Gerard on the wing for the three-ball, as well as connected on a wild scoop shot to cut the deficit to eight.  

"I felt like we prepared well but Punahou just outhustled us," remarked Camanse-Stevens.  When asked about Punahou's defense guarding him, Camanse-Stevens said it opens it up for other guys.

One of the most memorable plays of the night provided by Camanse-Stevens came in an unexpected way.  Having played quarterback for Kamehameha, Camanse-Stevens streaked down the left sideline to receive a rainbow inbounds pass from teammate Makana Harrison.  

"We're on the same press break, so he (Harrison) pretty much knows what we're going to do so I just gotta think of different ways to counter it," emphasized Camanse-Stevens.  

"I like it; I wish I played receiver a little bit during the football season, I love catching ball."  Camanse-Stevens finished with 14 points, a steal and an assist.

That Kamehameha "touchdown" would be the last of the Warrior's points in the quarter as Punahou went on a 8-0 run to close the half.

Punahou led 27-13 at halftime.

Punahou's defensive intensity carried over into the second half as Andrews and Fey each got a swat on Kamehameha's first possession. With the help of their stingy defense, Punahou was able to balloon their up to 20 before Warrior Kody Chai completed a three-point play.

After Chai's free throw, the Buffanblu went on a 7-0 run. Similar to Camanse-Stevens playing receiver earlier, that Buffanblu run was highlighted by wide receiver Kanawai Noa getting a steal and throwing a rainbow pass to Andrews for the easy lay-in.

Kamehameha battled back in the rest of the second half but eventually fell to Punahou by the final score of 61-45.

"We got a lot of work to do to get back to Kamehameha basketball," said Nakanishi.  "We showed signs of it in in the late fourth quarter, but by then it was too late."

The Buffanblu out-rebounded the Warriors, combining for 25 total rebounds with 12 of those coming from the offensive side of the glass.  Punahou also assisted on 11 of their 24 total field goals with Tanuvasa leading the way with four assists.

"I thought our passing was very unselfish today," Tanuvasa exclaimed.  "Our coaches try to stress that also, along with defense.  We try to all get each other involved, get each other started so that we can end up on top."  In addition to his four assists, Tanuvasa also scored 10 points and stole the ball two times as well as hit two treys.

"It was a good win for us; that's a very good team, they're super athletic," said Matsuda.  "The ILH is really even this year and it's going to be a war at the end."