Kailua's Everett Torres-Kahapea drives by Kahuku's Thorton Alapa in the first quarter. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Kailua's Everett Torres-Kahapea drives by Kahuku's Thorton Alapa in the first quarter. Michael Lasquero | SL

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KAHUKU — The monkey is finally off their back.

The seventh-ranked Kailua Surfriders defeated No. 8 Kahuku for the first time since 2014 with a 58-52 win at Thomas G.S. Walker Gymnasium in both teams' OIA opener Wednesday night.

Kailua (9-8 overall, 1-0 OIA East) forced 19 turnovers in the victory as they ended a seven-game losing streak to the Red Raiders, who eliminated Kailua in the opening round of the Division I state tournament a season ago.

Surfriders coach Wally Marciel said the win was big for the program.

"Losing last year and ending our state tournament road here motivated the eight guys that returned this year so this is a big win for us," Marciel said.

Senior guard Everett Torres-Kahapea was his usual self with 21 points, but he had help in a game that had eight lead changes and eight ties.

Kaniala Williams had 11 points and six steals off the bench, Isaiah Hopson had 10 despite early foul trouble and Nainoa Peters and Lydell Romero each added eight points and six rebounds to round out the Surfriders' scorers. Romero also had five of Kailua's 13 steals.

Kahuku's Ethan Erickson draws a blocking foul on Kailua's John Sniffen in the second quarter. Michael Lasquero | SL