Kapolei's Zoar Nedd looks for the open man in the corner in the first half against Moanalua. Steve Erler | SL

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_17020805_02_07_17_kapolei_moanal_steve_erler-123.jpg - Steve Erler | SL

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KAKAAKO — It will be the best of the West versus the best of the East for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I championship.

Seventh-ranked Kapolei built an early first half lead to stave off a late shooting surge by No. 10 Moanalua for a 68-64 semifinal win in the league playoffs at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes (12-0), who went through OIA Division I West Conference play without a blemish, will meet top-ranked Kahuku (13-0) in Thursday's title game. It will be Kapolei's first championship game appearance since 2012.

Balance was the name of the game in the Hurricanes' victory. Four players finished in double figures and all 10 players that checked into the game scored two points or more.

"That's what we talk about all the time," Kapolei coach Gary Ellison said on his team's balance. "I tell the boys I'd rather have six of seven guys with 10 points than one guy with 30. If we can do that, to me that's a perfect game offensively."

Isaiah Higa scored 14 points with three made 3-pointers and Ja'Shon Carter added 13 points, six assists and four steals and Zoar Nedd and Jayson Manapul chipped in 12 points apiece to round out the Hurricanes' leading scorers.

"We have a lot of chemistry on our team," said Higa, who also had the game-sealing block on Moanalua's CJ Bonilla from behind the 3-point arc late in the fourth quarter. "Everyone on the bench cheers for us, no matter if they play or not. They still cheer for us and that's great."

Kapolei's balanced attack overshadowed a herculean performance by Moanalua's RJ Dominguez, who finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

"We tried our best against him tonight and everything," Ellison said on Dominguez. "We were throwing so many people at him, but he just kept coming at us."

While the Hurricanes were two players short of what Ellison would call a perfect game, they were here perfect shooting wise to start the game. Kapolei went 6-for-7 from the field to build an early 15-7 lead in the first quarter.

"We practiced that in practice yesterday, our coaches said if we're open, just shoot it," said Higa.

Moanalua trimmed the lead before the end of the period, but the Hurricanes were able to make it a 35-25 game at the half.

Na Menehune wouldn't go down without a fight however. Disciplined play and fast break opportunities helped Moanalua stay in the game before Caleb Casinas (16 points, three made 3-pointers) found the range from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. In spite of this, Kapolei was able to make the necessary plays down the stretch to hold off Na Menehune's late charge.

"I think Moanalua was a little apprehensive at first," said Ellison. "Once they settled down, they started making their run and everything. I told the boys they're going to make their run. They're peaking right now. We just need to stay calm and play."

The Hurricanes' Thursday contest against Kahuku will be rematch of the 2012 title game.