No. 7 Kailua handles Kalaheo; Waiakea next

Kailua's Everett Torres-Kahapea skies in for a layup before the end of the second quarter to give the Surfriders their first lead of the game. Leighland Tagawa | SL

KAILUA — Call it a season sweep.

Host Kailua shook off a slow start to throttle Kalaheo, 68-40, at Harry Murai Gymnasium Monday night in the opening round of the Snapple Division I Boys Basketball Championships.

Everett Torres-Kahapea led all scorers with 22 points to power the Surfriders over the Mustangs for the fourth time this season. It was Kailua's most decisive win over its district rival this year.

Isaiah Hopson, who didn't make a basket in the first half, added a double-double of 19 points with 14 rebounds and Nainoa Peters chipped in 12 points to help Kailua advance to Thursday's quarterfinal game against fourth-seeded Waiakea. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

Kalaheo held a 13-3 lead in the first quarter, but Kailua rallied to take a 24-23 lead at the break.

Turnovers doomed the Mustangs with the visitors committing 18 Monday night. Micah Fraticelli's diving steal and dish to Torres-Kahapea near half court just before the end of the first half gave the Surfriders their first lead of the game.

Aaron Baker led the Mustangs in their season-ending loss with 17 points, 14 coming in the first half on 4-for-5 shooting from 3-point range.

Eight different Kailua players recorded an assist in the win.