Kailua rallies past Kahuku in early battle of East powerhouses

Brian Bautista | SL

It was a battle of top five teams to open the season in the OIA East in boys basketball, as fourth ranked Kailua eked out a 50-47 win over third ranked Kahuku.

In the closing moments, the Red Raiders had their chances to force an extra period, but an attempt from distance by Kashus Daley missed and a follow up three in the corner by Ronin Naihe also failed to fall as time expired.

Sebastian Ledda scored a game high 21 points amd Maddox Pung added 12 more as the Surfriders erased a 26-22 deficit with a 14-5 scoring spurt in the third quarter, then held off the home team down the stretch to preserve the win. Nainoa Hirasuma-Kenny also reach the double-digit plateau, with 11 points to go along with three assists.

Kahuku had three players of its own hit for double figures, led by Naihe, who added 12 rebounds for a double-double, to go along with two blocks and an assist.Mystique Akina-Watson (11 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asst, blk) and Justus Daley (10 pts, 3 threes, 3 ast) were also standouts.

The Red Raiders held a decided edge in the rebounding category (36 to 29) but hit just 9 of 15 free throws.