Kailua's Makana Robeson attempts a 3-pointer from the corner. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Fri, Dec 16, 2016 @ Iolani

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Kailua

52

Corona Del Sol

47

Final	1	2	3	4
Kailua (11-4, 19-10)	11	11	15	15	52
Corona Del Sol	12	15	11	9	47

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

A. Barcello 24 pts  4 3pm

C. Mejia 16 pts

A. Barcello 9 tot  9 def

C. Mejia 10 tot  6 off  4 def

S. Lee 3 ast

C. Mejia 3 ast

Christian Mejia had a double-double with a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds as Kailua's late game defense helped it steal a win from Corona Del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) on day one of the Iolani Prep Basketball Classic Friday night. 

The Surfriders improve to 7-3 on the season and move on to play Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.) in the quarterfinals of the 33^rd annual tournament on Monday. 

Corona Del Sol wasted no time getting on the board, going on an 8-2 run to start the game. 

The fast pace of the Aztec offense along with the sharp shooting of University of Arizona commit, Alex Barcellom, helped to punish Kailua's sluggish start.

Kailua scored its first points at the five-minute mark, off of a layup by Zachary Marrotte. Six of Marrotte's 10 points came in the first-quarter, helping Kailua keep the game close at 12-11 after one. 

The Aztecs held a lead for most of the game but Kailua stayed within striking range, despite 14 first-half points from Barcello, which included three 3-pointers. He finished the game 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Kailua took its first lead of the night at 44-42 off of a Keoni Serikawa layup early in the fourth quarter

While quick spurts of offense kept them close, it was the Kailua defense that triumphed late, holding Barcello to 3 points in the final period of play and forcing crucial turnovers in the closing minutes.

"The game plan was to keep them under 50 points and we achieved that goal," said Kailua coach Wally Marciel. "They've been averaging in the 80s and 90 points per game and our goal was to slow down the game."

Marciel explained that the focus of his team's defense in the second half was to stop Barcello.

"The whole deal was, we'll let somebody else beat us except No. 23. We got a hand in his face and he hardly got his shot off and I credit my guys, they listened to what I had to say," said Marciel. 

Using the pressure created by his defense, Kailua's Makana Robeson forced two steals late in the fourth and converted them into five straight points for the Surfriders, pushing their lead up to three. Robeson finished the game with 14 points and four steals.

From there, Mejia took over. Taking advantage of back-to-back Corona Del Sol turnovers, Mejia scored a layup deep in the post off of a quick spin-move before draining two clutch free throws with 20 seconds remaining to put the game away at 51-44.  

"It feels great, coming out here, playing hard and representing Hawaii," said Mejia. "We just want to keep using this momentum and keep going, keep fighting."

Marciel explained that his team's win is significant for Kailua's athletic program and will help the team's confidence moving forward.

"This is a prestigious tournament and it helps out with our program, it builds up confidence that we can play with these mainland guys and you know, we go play in the championship bracket now," said Marciel. "For a public school, that's a huge achievement." 

Barcello scored a game-high 24 points to go along with nine rebounds and Saben Lee scored 14 for Corona Del Sol.

The Aztecs will play Punahou in the consolation bracket on Monday.