Kahuku rallies big in fourth to deny Kalani, 57-51

Kahuku's Mikeli Fiso puts up a shot attempt against Kalani. Ryan Sakamoto | Special to SL

Mason Kuali'i-Moe scored nine of his team-high 14 points in the fourth period last night to highlight a late 19-3 run for Kahuku as the Red Raiders rallied past Kalani, 57-51, in O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball action.

Kahuku improved to 5-0 in the OIA Red Conference Eastern Division, while the Falcons fell to 3-2.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world," Red Raiders coach Darren Johnson said. "This team is relentless, they find a way to win."

After the game was deadlocked at 25-25 at halftime, Kahuku standout guard Kawe Johnson picked up his fourth foul just 10 seconds into the third period and Kalani capitalized by surging ahead to a 42-32 lead with a 12-3 run topped off by Tatsuya Ono's layup with 2:20 remaining.

But Kuali'i-Moe's free throw a minute later started the Red Raiders on a 19-3 run capped by Johnson's free throw to make it 51-45 with 3:19 left in the game.

The Falcons closed it to 53-49 after two free throws by Sam Kahalewai with 34 seconds remaining, but Kuali'i-Moe answered with two foul shots one second later to make it 55-49 and Kalani misfired on its next possession. Kuali'i-Moe then sealed the victory with two more free throws with 23.7 ticks left.

Fourteen of Kahuku's 19 points during the pivotal 19-3 run were scored off layups, several of the putback variety.

"We gave them too many second-shot opportunities, sometimes second and third-shot opportunities," Falcons coach Nathan Davis said.

Kalani suffered a big setback less than three minutes after tipoff, when starting guard Takezo Iguchi suffered an injury to his left knee and sat out the rest of the game. Davis said the knee will be evaluated today.

Both teams were plagued by foul trouble throughout the game. Kuali'i-Moe picked his second foul midway through the first period, and Ono had his second at the end of the quarter and third six minutes before halftime.

Johnson and starting guard Evan Ramirez then each got their third fouls in the last 12 seconds of the half, and Kalani guards Kashiwabara and Keano Kuia each picked up their third midway through the third quarter.

Kuali'i-Moe then was whistled for his fourth foul with 6:56 remaining in the game, and Ono got his fourth about two minutes later and fouled out on a charge call midway through the final period.

Kashiwabara led all scorers with 16 points and Kahalewai finished with 12 points, including 10 of 11 free throws.

Mikeli Fiso added 12 points for the Red Raiders.