Waianae outlasts Waipahu for third straight win

Waianae's Ezra-Koby Barnes puts up a jump shot over Waipahu. CJ Caraang | SL

Visiting Waianae built an early lead — then lost it in the fourth quarter — before storming back to beat Waipahu, 55-50, for its third straight OIA West win Friday night.

The Seariders (5-3 overall, 3-0 league) trailed by as many as seven in the final period of play, 48-41, after the Marauders went on a 8-0 run.

A triple and a free throw by Jayden Mitchell tied the game at 50, and a free throw by Ezra-Koby Barnes gave Waianae the lead for good as Waianae scored its final six points from the free throw line to escape with the win.

Barnes led the Seariders with 16 points and Mitchell followed with 15 points and two treys.

Waianae led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and held a 15-8 advantage heading into the second period of play.

Waipahu (3-10, 1-2) made it a one-point game at the break, 21-20, but the Seariders were able to extend their lead to nine, 39-30, after the third quarter.

Waianae held the advantage in the early stages of the fourth quarter until Waipahu went on its 8-0 run with Garret Wilson scoring three buckets during the stretch.

Wilson led all scorers with 19 points for the Marauders. Iakopo Taumua and Linson Joseph had 11 and 10 points respectively to round out Waipahu's top scorers.