Top-ranked Crusaders pull away from Warriors in ILH opener

Brian Bautista | SL

Caelan Fernando scored 16 points and No. 1 Saint Louis pulled away from Kamehameha for a 59-44 win at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex Saturday night.

The three-time defending state champion Crusaders (1-0) shot a blistering 53.1 percent (26 of 49) from the field to open the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular season.

Saint Louis controlled the paint with a 35-20 rebounding edge and dominated the Warriors (0-1) 44-22 in points in the paint.

Fernando made six of his eight shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also grabbed five rebounds with five steals, two assists and one block.

Pupu Sepulona scored 10 points off in just 12 minutes off the bench for the Crusaders, who outscored Kamehameha 19-4 in bench points.

Keanu Mecham had eight points and eight rebounds and Shancin Revuelto added eight points, five boards and six assists. Mecham and Revuelto also recorded two steals apiece.

Nahiku Nahale-a led the Warriors with 15 points.

The score was tied at 15 after the first quarter, but Saint Louis held a 27-18 advantage at halftime.

The Crusaders will host University Lab on Monday, while Kamehameha will host Mid-Pacific Tuesday.