Second half surge lifts Kailua past Leilehua in interleague clash

Rayden Aoki | SL

Maddox Pung scored a season-high 32 points to lead Kailua to a 70-57 win over fellow OIA representative Leilehua in the opening round of the Hawaii Army National Guard/HHSAA Division I Boys Basketball Championships.

The senior guard scored 22 of his points in the second half, including 13 in the final quarter. He was 10 of 21 from the field, made four three-pointers and knocked down 8 of 12 free throws, adding five rebounds, five assists, a block and an assist to complete his stat line.

Kailua actually trailed 29-24 at the half, but outscored the Mules 20-12 in the third and 26-16 in the final period to pull away.

Three Leilehua players hit for double figures, led by Robert Smith (16 points, four rebounds). Jedidiah Militante (11 points, three rebounds, four assists) and Jayden Germeno (11 points, four rebounds, three assists) also were key contributors offensively.

Both Smith and Militante fouled out, part of 15 fouls committed by Leilehua compared to just eight for Kailua.

Sebastian Ledda was the other high point man for the Surfers, with 19 points, five rebounds and four aqssists in the contest. Posts Joseph Bieniek and Dylan Kunz combined for 15 points and 14 rebounds.