Clutch free throws help Kailua edge Kahuku in Eastern Division opening clash

Greg Yamamoto | SL

In a battle of OIA East heavyweights, it was the Surfriders who came out victorious, but by the slimmest of margins.

Maddox Pung knocked down two crucial free throws with 0.5 left on the clock to lift Kailua to a season opening win over Kahuku, 49-48.

Sebastian Ledda tied his season-high with 12 points, 11 of them coming in the fourth quarer alone, to lead the Surfriders, who led 28-18 at halftime, but saw Kahuku mount a furious second half comeback behind the play of Mystique Akina-Watson, who scored 19 of his 24 points after the intermission.

Pung scored 11 points and Skyler Unten added eight in the win for Kailua, who was held to 10 points below its season average.

Kahuku got 12 points from Ronin Naihe in the loss, which extended his streak of games with 12 points of more to seven. The sophomore leads the team with a 16.9 points per game average.