Boys Basketball
Saint Louis stifles Mililani to claim Kaimuki Invitational title


ScoringLive staff
December 16, 2024, 10:03pm

  

Sat, Dec 14, 2024 @ Kaimuki

Saint Louis

43

Mililani

32

Final 1 2 3 4  
Saint Louis (13-0, 32-2) 10 1113943
Mililani (11-3, 21-7) 12 8 9 332
Tui Tukimaka 8 pts  2 3pm
Corey Bailey 13 pts  1 3pm


No Pupu, no problem.

Corey Bailey and Keanu Meachem combined to score 25 points in Saint Louis' 43-32 win over Millani in the title game of the Kaimuki Invitational.

The win marked the 12th straight in the preseason thus far, all won without the services of two-time Division I POY Pupu Sepulona.

"It's prepared us a lot because most of our bench players don't play as much, but we can run the ball more, especially with this group because it's just straight guards," said Meachem, who is averaging 15 points per game this season, up from 6.8 in his sophomore campaign.

Bailey had a game-high 13 and hit all four of his free throws. The junior this year has chipped in nine per game himself after just 2.5 last season.

Freshman Zion Lefotu scored nine against Mililani, right at his season average and Stone Kanoa added four more.

Mililani led 12-10 after the first quarter, but Saint Louis rallied back to inch ahead by a point at the intermission.

The Crusaders started the third with consecutive baskets, a Meachem basket and a Bailey three, to stretch the lead out to 26-20, but the Trojans rallied, closing the gap to three on back-to-back baskets by Tui Tukimaka that made it 32-29 at the 1:14 mark of the period.

Mililani did not score another point until the 2:15 mark of the fourth, when Tukimaka hit another three to the margin to 39-32, but Meachem closed the door with consecutive baskets to close out the contest.

The Trojans shooting woes were tied to a solid defensive effort by the Crusaders for sure, but mising all six attempts from the free throw line as team definitely hurt.

Tukimaka's eight points off the bench was a team-high for the Trojans, who were held to a season low output.

In order to even make the final at Kaimuki, Saint Louis had to post a big rally against Maryknoll, where they trailed 28-16 at the break before outscoring the Spartans 15-9 in the third and 12-5 in the final period to eke out a 43-42 win.

Bailey scored 10 of his 12 points against Maryknoll in the second half comeback.




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.


IMAGE GALLERY


MORE STORIES

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...

Mililani's Kimura named All-OIA West Player of the Year

Senior OH Seth Kimura was joined by teammate Kaito Duranceau on the first team; Trojans' head coach Gabriel...