Kalaheo's Kupaa Harrison drives to the basket against Mililani. Harrison finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the Mustangs in the win. Brien Ing | SL

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021415_BRI_4359.jpg - Brien Ing | SL

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KAILUA – Top-ranked Kalaheo was firing on all cylinders in its 60-32 win over Mililani (7-4) in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I quarterfinal game at Pete Smith Court Saturday night.

Kupaa Harrison and Kaleb Gilmore combined to score 39 points to help the unbeaten Mustangs (12-0) advance past the Trojans to face Farrington in the semifinals. The Mustangs' victory also clinched one of the league's six berths into the Division I state tourney. 

It was the Mustangs' 17th straight win dating back to a preseason game on Dec. 22 against Radford. 

"We've been just trying to get better every day," said Harrison. "We can't stay at the same level because other teams are working hard too. We got to get in, work on stuff, shore up some things and get crisper every time. That's how we keep ourselves motivated." 

Kalaheo was able to jump out to a 17-5 first quarter advantage thanks to a 7-0 run and a 10-0 run. 

Mililani also committed 14 of its 28 turnovers in the period, most of them coming from inside the paint.

"We tried to go inside to our big guys, but they was double teaming the big guys on the backside," said Mililani coach Ed Gonzales. "The boys couldn't adjust to it and they got the ball stripped. Kalaheo got all the loose balls in the beginning." 

The Mustangs were able to maintain their 12-point lead into the break, leading 28-16. Harrison led the first half effort, scoring 12 of his 16 points before halftime. He also filled the stat sheet, registering eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

In the second half Gilmore caught fire, going 5-for-6 from 3-point land after missing all of his three shot attempts from behind the arc in the first half. He finished with game-highs in points (23) and steals (six).

Gilmore's last triple of the night gave the Mustangs their largest lead of the game, 58-23 midway through the fourth quarter.

"He's unbelievable," Harrison said on Gilmore. "When he's hitting like he was tonight, a defense can't really do anything about it."

Other key players for the Mustangs include Alec MacLeod and Kekai Smith, scoring nine and eight points respectively. 

Braiden Rosario led the Trojans in the loss with seven points and three boards.

Tip-off between the Mustangs and Farrington is set for Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.