The Mustangs finished the regular season at 10-1 in the Eastern Division, earning the White Conference's top East seed for the upcoming league playoffs. The Tigers fell to 8-3 and are the White East runner-up.

The 10-1 record is even more impressive considering it came an integrated schedule that included games against seven Red Conference (Division I) opponents. Only DI member Kahuku (11-0) finished higher in the East.

"We didn't know we would be 10-1, but we knew we would be competitive," Kalaheo coach Alika Smith said. "It's because of how hard the kids worked ever since we lost to McKinley in their gym last year in the last game for the state tournament berth. They knew what it was going to take, and it's a tribute to how they stuck together."

That included overcoming a quick 11-3 deficit last night, after AJ Ortaleza's turnaround jumper put the Tigers up by that much with 3:27 remaining in the first period.

The Mustangs closed it to 15-11 entering the second quarter and then used a 12-2 run capped by Josh Ko's 3-pointer to surge ahead, 25-19, with 3:26 before halftime. McKinley closed it to 25-22 on two free throws by Alex Ironside with 2.7 ticks left.

Kalaheo then out-scored the Tigers, 12-4, in the third quarter to take a 37-26 lead into the fourth and McKinley could not narrow the margin.

"They're just more talented than we are, they're tougher, and they wanted it more," Tigers coach Bob Morikuni said. "We got kicked in every phase."

Jordyn Reindollar led the Mustangs with 12 points and Ko added 10 points.

Ironside led all scorers with 13 points.