Mililani guard Jayden Kipapa drives into the lane and puts up a jump shot from the key in the third quarter of an OIA Boys Basketball game against Nanakuli Friday night. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_22011543_BBKB_1_14_22_MILatNANA-3879.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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NANAKULI — Jayden Kipapa was feeling it Friday night.

The junior guard scored 20 points off the bench to power Mililani past host Nanakuli, 48-33, in an OIA West contest at Hugh Taufaasau court.

Kipapa also added three assists and two steals as the Trojans improved to 3-0 atop the league standings while the Golden Hawks suffered their first loss in league play and dropped to 2-1.

Mililani jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Nanakuli caught fire and scored eight straight points to make the score 8-5. Kipapa got the Trojans back into it after a triple tied it up at 8-8 and had another basket to even things at 10-10.

The score would remain tied until just before the end of the first quarter when Kipapa knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing after looking off a defender to clear space.

That wasn't the only time Kipapa was clutch at the end of quarters.

With under 15 seconds to play in the first half, Kipapa was able to get around a defender and find Creighton Ofsonka on the baseline for a clear basket to give Mililani a 27-20 halftime lead.

Kipapa also scored the final two field goals of the third quarter when he picked off a pass for an easy bucket and when he broke free down the court on a sideline out-of-bounds play.

"I think Jayden played really well tonight," said Mililani coach Garrett Gabriel. "Anytime you can spark, give us a 4-0, 6-0 run, it gives us a little cushion and he did that tonight."

Ofsonka was also solid off the bench with nine points and eight rebounds. He also had a breakaway dunk in the second half that forced a timeout.

"Creighton (Ofsonka) has been really consistent over the season too," said Gabriel.

"Overall this team is going to be successful if we all contribute in whatever time we have in the game and are productive."

Trey Lieb scored seven points and led the Trojans in steals with five. Jackson Mayo was the top passer for Mililani with four assists and Dylan Flanders led the team in blocks with three. Center Lauvai Pine also set the tone with five points and the first baskets of each half.

Although his team came out with the win, Gabriel noted that his team has much more room to improve.

"Nanakuli came out and they played good. They were scrappy, got all the loose balls, we didn't, but I think it's a good lesson for our team too that you have to come every week, no matter who you play, you got to play, you got to execute the right way and do the right things."

Darren Hoapili scored 14 points off the bench and Zelston Militante had 11 more to lead the Golden Hawks in the loss.