Kalaheo's Kekai Smith knocks down the game-winning free throw to post an overtime win over Campbell. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Kalaheo's Kupa'a Harrison steps into the passing lane for a steal against Campbell. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Campbell's Isaac Hurd puts up a jumper over Kalaheo's Alec Macleod. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Campbell's Michael Merchant goes up for a shot attempt against Kalaheo. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Kalaheo's Zach Marrotte catches a ball on the run against Campbell. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Sat, Dec 7, 2013 @ Campbell

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Kalaheo

42

Campbell

40

F/OT	1	2	3	4	OT
Kalaheo (11-3, 26-10)	9	11	8	8	6	42
Campbell (11-2, 19-12)	4	9	11	12	4	40

I. Hurd 11 pts  1 3pm

K. Harrison 24 pts  3 3pm

'EWA BEACH - The next generation of Smiths in Kalaheo basketball is here.

Sophomore Kekai Smith drained two free throws with 2.9 seconds left in overtime to help the Mustangs overcome feisty host Campbell, 42-40, to finish unbeaten in the Saber Invitational Saturday night.  Kalaheo, which finished 3-0 in the tournament, improved to 8-0, while Campbell finished 2-1 and 2-2 overall.

Smith, nephew of Kalaheo coach Alika Smith and son for former all-state Mustangs' player Josh Smith, was fouled by Joshua Michael Forte in the closing seconds.  And as his uncle and father had done in the past, he made the clutch free throws.

Campbell's ensuing hasty attempt at a 3-pointer from near half court in the remaining time was way short.

"It was loud and I had to focus and block it out," said Kekai Smith, referring to the dozens of Campbell fans who turned up the cheering in the second half, acting as a sixth-man for the home team.

A nail-biter in preseason was welcomed by Alika Smith.  The competition cannot hurt the Mustangs as they prepare to defending their O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red and Division I state crowns.

"It's good for the young kids," Alika Smith said. "Some of the older ones we have, they've been through the battles.  For the young ones to stick it out like they did in a hostile environment like this, playing against a good Campbell team is good for us. We had to fight through all those missed free throws (13 of 25). We had to fight through that and be mentally strong."

Kupaa Harrison labored at the free throw line in the second half, covering 6 of 13.  But he was his usual self in other phases, leading the Mustangs with 24 points, including three 3-pointers.

Isaac Hurd led the Sabers with 11 points. Michael Merchant helped the Sabers rally from a 20-13 halftime deficit by doing all his scoring in the second half with 10 points, including two 3-pointers and 4-for-4 shooting from the free throw line.  

"He played tough D (defense) and did some things for us," Campbell coach Wyatt Tau said of Merchant.

The Sabers, who took the lead for the first time in the game on Merchant's first 3-pointer with 7:01 in regulation, had a 36-35 lead until Harrison tied it with 25 seconds left by converting only the second of two free throws.  Campbell's ensuing possession ended when Hurt was called for a player-control foul while driving to the hoop with 12.9 seconds left.  Harrison took the inbounds pass from Smith, but missed a 3-point try from the right wing as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

Jomar Jett Gapuson scored with 2:59 left in overtime to break the tie, but missed the ensuing free throw on the three-point play to keep it 38-36.  But Harrison drained a 3-pointer from the left wing to put the Mustangs ahead, 39-28 with 2:46 left in OT.  Zach Marrotte made one of two free throws with 1:44 left to increase the Mustangs' lead to 40-38.  But Forte tied with 1:30 left with an assist by Jayce Bantolina.

On Kalaheo's possession, it called timeout with 43.9 seconds; Campbell followed suit right after.  When play resumed, the Mustangs worked the clock down before Smith drew the foul that put him to the line for the game-winning free throws.

The Sabers turned up their play in the second on the defensive side, holding the Mustangs to eight points in each the third and fourth quarters.  They took control of the boards with aggressive play.

"When you hustle like that, you're going to get a lot of offensive rebounds like they did"  Alika Smith said.  "We just didn't work hard enough boxing out."

If the Sabers played the first half the way they did in the second, the outcome might have been different.

"Earlier, I don't know if our kids were intimidated because it was Kalaheo," Tau said. "I was telling them (at halftime), this is the kinds of teams you like to play early. That way we can figure out if we can play with the top team in the state or we cannot."

The Sabers would meet the Mustangs next week.  Campbell will be playing in Kalaheo's tournament.  But Campbell will face defending D2 state champion Saint Francis, 4 p.m. Thursday.