Kahuku pounds second-ranked Kalaheo, 72-52

Kahuku's Bradlee Anae drives past the Mustangs on the baseline. Anae was one of four Red Raiders to finish in double figures. Steve Erler | SL

SALT LAKE—There will be a new state champion crowned this season.

Strong starts in the second and third quarters helped Kahuku topple second-seed and No. 2 Kalaheo, 72-52 in the quarterfinals nightcap of the OC16/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Basketball State Championships at Moanalua.

"This is a sweet moment. Everyone was doubting us for what happened and our team went through the most and I think we're the strongest team," said Keanu Akina.

In a rematch of last year's state tournament semifinals and Kalaheo won, 49-37 on Jan. 16 during the Oahu Interscholastic Association East regular season. This time it was all Kahuku. The defending state champions will play Lahainaluna in the fifth place semifinals at 3 pm. Kahuku will play third-ranked Punahou in the semifinals at the Stan Sherriff Center at 5 pm.

The Red Raiders hurt the Mustangs inside and out as four players scored in double figures. Keanu Akina led the way with 25 points, Hirk Latu scored 17 and 11 rebounds, Bradlee Anae had 13 points, 12 rebounds, and Kawika Akina had 13 points—shooting 10-for-12 from the free throw line.

"That's what our offense is—getting Brad and Hirk going. Once they get a few buckets, the defense collapses and we knew they couldn't match up with our size and they had to help so it would open it on the outside," said Akina.

Kahuku started the second quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 23-15 lead. Kekai Smith led the Mustangs with 10 points, he scored Kalaheo's first points of the second quarter at the 3:00 mark with a pair of free throws.

Kahuku pummeled Kalaheo on the glass, 40 to 27.

Kahuku started the second half on a 12-1 run and from there they never looked back. They took a commanding 45-26 lead going into the fourth. Kalaheo started to creep back into the game, but Kahuku sank 19 of 24 (79.2 percent) of their foul shots to put the game out of reach. They shot 23-for-31 from the line for the game.

"Everyone was hitting their free throws when we needed it," said Akina.

Kalaheo struggled offensively, shooting 19 of 56 (33.9 percent) from the field and was 5 of 27 (18.5 percent) from the 3-point line.

Kekai Smith scored 11 of his 26 points in the fourth to lead the Mustangs and Captain Whitlock added 13 points.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].