Moanalua prevails over Mililani, 66-61

Moanalua's Caleb Casinas tries to get by Mililani's Cameron Henry in the first round of the OIA Division I playoffs. Peter Caldwell | SL

MILILANI — Moanalua netted three players in double-digit scoring figures to prevail 66-61 over Mililani in the first round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I boys basketball playoffs.

Senior RJ Dominguez put up a team-high 20 points for Na Menehune followed by sophomore CJ Bonilla's 17 points and junior Caleb Casinas 10 points. The Trojans were led by Cameron Henry's 19 points and senior Kaleo Pogue's 16 points.

With the win, Moanalua will advance to play Kalaheo in the quarterfinals round Friday night at 6 p.m. at Kalaheo High School.

Both Moanalua and Mililani had previously met in a "non-conference" matchup mid-December with the Trojans surviving 64-62 in overtime. This time, it was Na Menehune who was the last ones standing.

With the game tied at 38 with 5:40 left in the third quarter, both teams battled back and forth with the Trojans moving ahead by two points going into the final period. Moanalua pulled ahead 57-51, but after a 3-pointer from Mililani, a small crack opened up for the Trojans as Na Menehune's Dominguez fouled out of the game with 2:44 left. The Trojans were able to pull within three points with just under a minute and a half remaining, but were unable to make shots fall through the hoop.

Na Menehune flexed its muscle on defense by causing a few turnovers to minimize Mililani's final opportunities. Bonilla hit two free throws with 18.2 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for Moanalua.