University High's Ryan Kaleikini attacks the basket against Damien. Ryan Sakamoto | Special to SL

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Damien's Jaylen Layco puts up a shot against University High. Ryan Sakamoto | Special to SL

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University High's Anthony Canencia goes up for a layup against Damien. Ryan Sakamoto | Special to SL

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Thu, Feb 14, 2013 @ Damien

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Damien

47

University Lab

56

Final	1	2	3	4
Damien (10-2, 12-9)	11	13	6	17	47
University Lab (9-3, 13-10)	7	10	20	19	56

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

A. Canencia 17 pts  2 3pm  3/4 FTs

J. Layco 22 pts  2 3pm  0/0 FTs

C. Meyers 5 tot

J. Layco 7 tot

A. Canencia 5 ast

K. Ikari 5 ast

University High overcame an early first quarter deficit to claim the final ILH Division II berth in the state tournament over host Damien. The Junior Rainbows outscored their first half total in the third quarter alone to coast to a 56-47 victory.

"For our program it's pretty special," proudly said University High Head Coach Walter Quitan. "We really struggled at the beginning of the year; we only had one player returning that played so everything was brand new. I just told the kids to keep getting better and amazingly we're playing our best basketball at the end of the season so I'm really happy about that."

The Monarchs won the earlier regular season matchup against the Bows by a score of 61-57.

"Damien is a tough matchup for us," admitted Quitan. "They're really big down low, and we've got no size. Their game plan was to pound it down low which they were real effective (at)."

That size difference was evident early on as the purple and gold dominated the paint in the first half to give them a seven point lead at the break. 18 of the Monarch's first half points were in the paint with ten of those coming on put backs.

The Junior Bows win overshadowed a monster game from Damien Junior Jaylen Layco, who led all scorers with 22 points. Layco also added two treys as well as gathered seven rebounds.

"It was alright, but I just didn't do enough to (give us the) win," said Layco disappointedly. "I love this team so much; I can't believe we fell short."

The Monarchs were able to jump out to an early 9-0 first quarter lead thanks to their box-and-one defense on University's Ryan Kaleikini.

"They threw a box-and-one us," explained Quitan. "We we're not expecting it, they took Ryan (Kaleikini) out of the game. We've kind of seen the box-and-one (before,) but it was against our point guard Anthony (Canencia), so that completely caught us off guard."

"It threw us off a little bit in the beginning," added Kaleikini. "We sort of adjusted to the game so that we could have a four on four going; just minus me from the equation so my teammates get going."

With Damien's focus on Kaleikini, Canencia was able to lead the Bows to the tune of 17 points, five assists, and four steals. With four defenders playing zone coverage around the "box" of the paint, Canencia was able to drive right up the middle on several occasions. Canencia also added two rebounds and nailed two treys.

"I say I did alright, but we play as a team so it's not just me," humbly said by Canencia.

University got back into the game in the first half but Monarchs Layco and Kapiina King's efforts kept the score at 24-17 at halftime. Layco had nine points at the break while King added six points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.

Coach Quitan made some adjustments at the break and University never looked back.

"Halftime we talk about it and made some adjustments," said Quitan. "We've had to overcome a lot; seeing the players make the adjustments that we've done really means a lot to me and I'm real proud of the kids."

"We put a little more pressure on the ball so we were able to generate some turnovers," Quitan said, expounding on the adjustments made from the first half. That was the only way that we can compete. We tried to stay out of foul trouble in the first half which we did, so it allowed us to be really aggressive in the second half on defense."

The Bows jumped out of the locker room in the third period with a 12-2 run. It was Eric Leung's baseline driving lay-up that gave University their first lead of the game, a lead they would not relinquish.

Back-to-back triples from Leung and Canencia helped blow the game wide open for the Bows as they took a 37-30 lead heading into the fourth. University outscored Damien 20-6 in the third quarter.

"We got a little out of character," said Damien Head Coach Alvin Stephenson. "We kind of deviated a little from our game plan which was to pound the ball inside and that kind of hurt us in the game."

The Monarchs scored 17 points in the final period but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Junior Bows, 56-47.

"I knew he (Quintan) would make adjustments, it's like a chess match," described Stephenson. "He had a better move at the end, and that was just the difference in the game. Heck of a game from UH Lab; I tip my hat off to them."

With the win, University joins St. Francis as the two ILH Division II representatives in the state tourney.

"We're excited," exclaimed Quintan on making it to states. "We're playing well now and hopefully we can just keep on playing well."

Despite playing in their last game of the season, Coach Stephenson has no regrets. "The boys fought all year long; they gave it everything they got and that's all I can ask from them. A lot of people didn't expect us to make it this far and I just thank God for the opportunity that He's given to us."