Punahou's JB Kam puts up a shot against Saint Louis. Kam had a game-high 18 points to help lead the Buffanblu to victory. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Sat, Jan 31, 2015 @ Punahou

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Saint Louis

39

Punahou

62

Final	1	2	3	4
Saint Louis (5-6, 15-9)	9	8	13	9	39
Punahou (11-1, 24-5)	10	18	19	15	62

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

J. Kam 18 pts  3 3pm  1/3 FTs

J. Nunuha III 13 pts  1/1 FTs

A. Troske 7 tot  3 off  4 def

I. Johnson 4 tot  1 off  3 def

K. Noa 5 ast

J. Nunuha III 5 ast

Unlike the last time Punahou and Saint Louis met, a deep buzzer-beater from beyond half court wasn't necessary to determine this game.

Justin "JB" Kam led the way with 18 points and Akahi Troske added 12 as Punahou coasted past Saint Louis, 62-39 at Hemmeter Fieldhouse on Saturday night. The Buffanblu improve to 7-1 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings, while the Crusaders dropped their fourth-straight game to fall to 3-5.

"We were concentrating on our intensity, we came out against Maryknoll flat and guys were sick and we came out flat and did not play with a lot of energy or focus. That's the key to our success—we come out with a lot of energy and focus, we are successful," said Punahou coach Darren Matsuda.

The game started off back-and-forth as Punahou took a 10-9 lead after the first quarter.

The Buffanblu scored five-straight points after Micah Maa hit a 3-pointer to take a 15-9 lead and Saint Louis called a timeout at 7:11. Punahou pushed the lead to 22-14 after a 3-pointer from Jordan Tanuvasa. Jimmy Nunuha III made the jumper plus the foul. He made the free throw as the Crusaders trailed 25-17. Chris Kobayashi hit a 3-pointer from the left wing as Punahou outscored Saint Louis, 18 to 8 in the second quarter.

Punahou effectively moved the ball around on offense and tallied 18 assists for the game. Kanawai Noa had five assists and Troske and Dayson Watanabe each added four assists.

"We found the hot shooters tonight, we tried to pound it in in the beginning and our post passing was really good tonight. We found the open man and made the extra pass," said Kam.

"For us when we play together and we look for the right play, it doesn't matter who scores, doesn't matter who makes the pass, then we're going to be pretty successful and that's what we're trying to do," said Matsuda. "That's what we're trying to do, making the right play and playing together and not worrying who scores what. If we play that way like a machine, then your team's playing your best, I think."

Punahou led 28-17 at halftime and managed to outscore Saint Louis, 34 to 22 in the second half. In the previous matchup, the Crusaders had four scorers in double figures.

"We knew they were going to run and had a bunch of athletes, but we have a bunch of athletes and ran with them. We had to make sure they didn't beat us down court and everyone hustled," said Kam.

"I thought we played really smart. Saint Louis is a very good team and they are fast and one of their keys is that they beat guys off the dribble and get to the hole easily. Their guards are good penetrators and we had to be disciplined and make sure we took good shots on our end," said Matsuda.

Kam hit two consecutive 3-pointers to put the Buffanblu up, 34-19 to start the third quarter. He went 3 of 4 from the 3-point line and scored 11 of his 18 points. Punahou continued to push the lead and went up, 47-30 going into the fourth quarter and never looked back.

"Today we executed really well and our plays were working and we went to it. We kept running and we were hitting every screen and moving the ball well," said Kam.

"He rounded out his game and today that helped us. He's a 3-point shooter and he got his rhythm which is nice because he's been sick for about a week so it was nice for him to pick up his rhythm," said Matsuda.

The Buffanblu shot 18 of 27 (66.6 percent) from the field and 7 of 22 (31.8 percent) from the 3-point line while the Crusaders went 12 of 30 (40 percent) from the field and 2 of 14 (14.2 percent) from the 3-point line for the game.

Nunuha III led Saint Louis with 13 points.

Punahou will host No. 4 Iolani (6-2) on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. while Saint Louis hosts Mid-Pacific on the same night at 6:30 p.m.