Punahou guard Nick Velasquez takes the ball to the basket against Iolani. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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011613__PunIol_0244.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Host Punahou flexed its muscle on both sides of the court to dominate 'Iolani, 57-36, Wednesday in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I boys' basketball.

The Buffanblu (3-1) remained a game behind first-place Maryknoll (4-0), while the Raiders (2-2) fell tied for third with Kamehameha (2-2) in the still tight race to secure a Division I state tournament berth by winning the regular-season title.

Punahou got help from nearly everyone. Nicholas Velasquez was his usual dazzling self, leading the way with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Kupono Fey, who had three first-half fouls, scored nine of his 10 points in the second half, pulled down five rebounds and blocked two shots. Daniel Andrews scored eight points, but was a defensive force with seven rebounds, six on defense, three blocks and a steal.

Even guys who didn't score - Randon Oda and Jordan Tanuvasa - combined for seven defensive rebounds. Tanuvasa also had a steal and a no-look assist.

The Raiders could not get into any kind of offensive rhythm. Their leading scorer, Reece Foy, had seven points.

It was that kind of night for 'Iolani.

"Offensively, we struggled," 'Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. "They have great athletes. They're long. We had our opportunities, we didn't knock 'em down. We lost our patience a little bit. They were doing a great job of staying in front of us and we just didn't adjust. There weren't great shots for us."

With the 6-foot-6 Fey and 6-7 Andrews holding their arms up, it was like shooting through a forest for the shorter Raiders.

While Fey, a senior, is doing what  is expected of a veteran, Andrews might be giving a hint of what's do come in the future.

"He's still not grown into his body," Punahou coach Darren Masuda said. "He's going to take off once his body kicks into gear. He gets better everyday and that's what we're looking for in him."

'Iolani kept it close early, as Punahou led 13-12 after the first quarter, but managed only two field goals in the second quarter. The Buffanblu took a 25-17 lead into the half.

Then the Buffanblu overwhelmed the Raiders by opening the second half with a 12-0 run that began with Velasquez's 3-pointer and ended with one by Kanawai Noa to give Punahou a commanding 20-point lead.

The Raiders cut that deficit in half quickly with a 10-0 run that was ignited by John Lee's pair of 3s. But the Buffanblu rebuffed that surge with baskets off offensive rebounds by Andrews and Dayson Watanabe.

Punahou's defense continued harass the Raiders, who had three field goals in the final quarter.

Another contender awaits the Buffanblu when Kamehameha visits Saturday. 'Iolani will host Mid-Pacific that night.