Strong defensive effort powers Kohala into D2 title game


Greg Yamamoto | SL

Defense definitely wins championships.

It can also get you into the title game.

Kohala held McKinley to just three points in the second quarter and zero points in the third quarter as it pulled away for a 45-27 win Thursday night in the semifinal round of the Snapple Division II Boys Basketball Championships at Kaimuki's gymnasium.

The Cowboys will advance to their first championship game since 2007 when they take on Roosevelt — who bested Hawaii Prep in the other semifinal, 41- 37 — at the Stan Sheriff Center Friday. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.

O'Shen Cazimero scored 16 points with six assists and Molonai Emeliano added 10 points to power Kohala, who was unseeded in the eight-team tournament.

Frank Camacho led the Tigers in the loss with 10 points, but he needed 14 shot attempts to get his point total.

McKinley as a whole shot 11-for-40 from the field.