No. 1 Kahuku rolls over Kalaheo, 87-45

Kahuku's Kesi Ah-Hoy puts up a 3-point shot against Kalaheo. Sylvia Lee | SL

Four players scored in double figures and No. 1 Kahuku rolled past Kalaheo, 87-45, in Wednesday's quarterfinals of the Snapple Division I boys' basketball state tournament at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

The Red Raiders, who have extended their win streak to 16, will take on No. 3 Iolani in a 5 p.m. semifinal Thursday at McKinley.

Daniel Fotu led Kahuku with 18 points, followed by Kesi Ah-Hoy (17), Samuta Avea (15) and Jessiya Villa (12). Ah-Hoy had three 3-pointers.

Captain Whitlock led the Mustangs with 14, including three 3-pointers.

It was the teams' second meeting this season. Kahuku beat Kalaheo, 81-60, during the Oahu Interscholastic Association regular season.

Kahuku showed no mercy from the start, opening the game with a 13-0 run. A 13-0 run in the second period increased the Red Raiders' lead to 36-11 and to eventually 46-19 at the half.

Kahuku opened its lead to into the 40s from the third period on. The Red Raiders were able to clear their bench, as did the Mustangs.

Kalaheo turned over the ball 21 times to Kahuku's six. The Red Raiders had 12 steals to Kalaheo's two. Kahuku won the rebound battle, 42-34.

Unlike Iolani, the Red Raiders have had adequate rest since winning the OIA title on Feb. 9. As a league champion, the Red Raiders had a seeded berth and first-round bye. Wednesday night, they could afford to give their starters a substantial breather. They know what they have do against what is anticipated to be a weary Iolani team that will be playing its ninth game in 12 days.

"We're going to go after them," Kahuku coach Brandyn Akana said. "That's what we've been doing all season long. We're going to pressure them and see if they can run….We know they've a long road to get here, so we're going to try and speed it up."

If anything, Iolani has history. The defending state champions are 15-4 in semifinals and have a tournament record 11 titles.

The Red Raiders are 3-7 in semifinals and winless in title games.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].