'Iolani's Marc Ma puts up a shot attempt over a Farrington defender. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Farington's Jacob McEnroe heads to the basket as 'Iolani's Trey Kidd defends. Sean Nakamura | SL

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'Iolani's Zach Buscher puts up a shot attempt against Farrington. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Sat, Dec 15, 2012 @ Moanalua

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Iolani

51

Farrington

48

Final	1	2	3	4
Iolani (6-6, 13-9)	12	13	14	12	51
Farrington (8-3, 15-14)	20	11	10	7	48

M. Cudia 16 pts  4/4 FTs

Z. Buscher 10 pts  2/2 FTs

On the heels of Kamehameha-Kapalama defeating Kapolei on a last-second three-pointer, 'Iolani and Farrington kept pace with a barnburner of their own, as 'Iolani battled back to defeat Farrington, 51-48.

'Iolani head coach Dean Shimamoto said, "It's great preseason action, you can't simulate come-from-behind scenarios, you can't simulate a close game: the feeling, the crowd, referees, the intensity. You can't simulate that in practice. To get that in the preseason is great practice for us."

Despite struggling shooting from the field, 'Iolani found ways to make the baskets when it counted most.

"Well I mean, that's what the percentages say we shoot about like that every game. You know it was about getting better shots and maybe focusing a little better on the ones we do get. So fortunately we our guys were able to knock some down when they counted," said Shimamoto.

Zach Buscher and Marc Ma led the Raiders with 10 points each. Marco Cudia led the Governors with 16 points and Jacob McEnroe added 12.

Farrington rushed out to a 14-3 lead and got most of their points in transition and fast break lay ups.

Farrington head coach Allan Silva said, "Transition was better tonight than last night and they passed the ball better too."

In the second quarter, both teams struggled shooting the ball, but 'Iolani cut the deficit to 6, trailing 31-25 at halftime.

'Iolani chipped away at the lead in the third quarter and made some defensive adjustments. "In the first half, we weren't doing the things that were made us successful so far. We just reminded them of that at halftime. There were a lot of adjustments that we had to make," said Shimamoto.   

Marc Ma scored 6 of his 10 points for the Raiders and they trailed the Governors 41-39 at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, both teams traded baskets. Farrington's Marco Cuida had a put back lay up to put the Govs up by 4. He landed awkwardly and held his left leg, but managed to walk back to the bench under his own power.

On the following possession, Erik Yamada hit 'Iolani's first 3 pointer of the game to cut the deficit to 1, 43-42.

Iolani's Ikaika Phillip was fouled on a shot attempt. He missed the first free throw, but sunk the second to tie the game at 43. Farrington guard Jacob McEnroe found Marco Guida for a lay up to put the Govs up by two, 45-43.

On the next possession, 'Iolani's Ikaika Phillip hit a 3 pointer in the right corner to give 'Iolani their first lead of the game, 46-45.

With 4:23 left, Phillip drew his fifth personal foul and fouled out of the game. Farrington's McEnroe converted both free throws to put the Govs up, 48-46. Iolani's Drew Uchiyama answered with a put back layup, tying the game at 48.

Farrington had multiple opportunities to seize the lead, but were doomed by missed shots.

"'Iolani, they're a good team. We just got to play better down the home stretch. We threw away a lot of easy buckets, down in the end. We had three opportunities we did not score, in the high 40s at that time, unfortunately we did not convert on those easy buckets" said Silva.

With 17.2 seconds remaining, Iolani's Zach Buscher was fouled and hit the jump shot. He made the free throw to put Iolani up 51-48.

Farrington called a full time out with 10.0 seconds remaining. Following the timeout, McEnroe dribbled the clock all the way down, but missed a three point attempt at the buzzer.

Both teams will be playing in other preseason tournaments. 'Iolani hosts McKinley next week in the 'Iolani Classic while Farrington plays Benson Tech in the Punahou Invitational.