Gelacio lifts Maryknoll past Kamehameha, 39-36 in OT


Isiah Gelacio's game-winning 3-pointer was the difference as No. 7 Maryknoll toppled No. 1 Kamehameha on homecoming night. Peter Caldwell | SL

MAKIKI— Isiah Gelacio's only field goal of the night was the biggest as he hit the game-winning 3-pointer to lift No. 7 Maryknoll over top-ranked Kamehameha-Kapalama, 39-36 on the Spartans' homecoming at Clarence T. C. Ching Gymnasium.

The newly-christened top-ranked Warriors saw their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 4-3 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings. Kamehameha won, 55-50 earlier on Jan. 13.

Maryknoll (3-4) won despite shooting a dreadful, 6 of 21 (28.6 percent) from the free throw line.

"Some of it is mental, form and maybe pressure situations. I never scold them during the game, they have enough pressure. It's a matter of them making the shots," said Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant.

The overtime period was a grind as neither team could convert a basket. In the waning seconds, Michael Mercado-Smith had an open look, the ball ended up in Jordyn Perez's hands and as he was falling, he threw it to Gelacio, who swished the 3-pointer near the top of the arc with just over four seconds remaining. Kamehameha's desperation shot was no good as the Maryknoll players rushed the court in a dogpile celebration.

"We had a couple opportunities that didn't fall and the offensive rebounding got to us. That was a scramble play, we had three guys trying to get the ball and it goes in Gelacio's hands, it was a great shot," said Kamehameha coach Greg Tacon.

"I feel for Greg, they played well enough to win. Both teams were playing extremely hard. Michael (Mercado-Smith) had an open look, missed, we got the rebound and Isiah hit the shot. He's ice cold and can hit it," said Grant.

"I heard Coach Kelly say, ‘Shoot the ball!' I literally shot the ball and it went in," said Gelacio, on the shot.

Kaeler Kahana, who led the team with 15 points, scored 10 of Kamehameha's 14 first quarter points. Fatu Sua-Godinet added 10 points.

Following Sua-Godinet's steal and layup, coach Grant called a full timeout. Maryknoll went on a 10-0 run to as they trailed, 16-15. Kamren Victorino-Kato nailed a baseline jumper and Sua-Godinet had a drive plus the foul, but could not convert the free throw to make it 20-15. Maryknoll trailed going into halftime, 20-18 after Brian Washington's hook shot in the paint.

"We knew it would be a tough game and we were mentally prepared for it. We had to keep our heads up and they were going to make runs," said Gelacio.

Maryknoll took the lead after a 3-pointer from Kamata and Washington's tip in gave the Spartans a 23-20 lead. Kamehameha roared back and took a 31-28 lead. Jaylen Cain's bucket and the foul made it, 31-30, but could not convert the free throw to tie the game heading into the fourth.

Kamata's free throw tied the game at 31, Cain's 3-point play gave the Spartans a 34-31 lead. Kamehameha trailed by one after Noah Gelacio's layup. Washington made 2 of 4 free throws to make it, 36-33.

Kobe Young hit a 3-pointer in the right corner to tie the game at 36 with 41.2 seconds remaining. After a frantic offensive series, Kamehameha got the jump ball possession with 5.1 seconds remaining.

Washington scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, but made his presence felt on defense. His long arms disrupted the inbounds pass and came up with the steal with 3.0 seconds left. Cain's halfcourt heave was no good as the game headed into overtime.

Kamehameha hosts No. 8 Punahou on Jan. 30, Maryknoll plays at No. 9 Mid-Pacific on Jan. 29.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].