Punahou's Zayne Chong dribbles the ball around Kamehameha's Kamren Victorino-Kato Thursday night. Spencer Honda | SL

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Spencer Honda | SL

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Thu, Feb 9, 2017 @ Punahou

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Kamehameha

42

Punahou

61

Final	1	2	3	4
Kamehameha (4-8, 16-14)	17	6	6	13	42
Punahou (11-3, 26-6)	17	11	18	15	61

C. Kobayashi 17 pts  5 3pm

M. Pimental 15 pts  3 3pm

MAKIKI — It was an even battle after eight minutes, but after that, it was all Punahou as No. 3 Buffanblu powered their way past No. 8 Kamehameha, 61-42, in the semifinals of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I single elimination tournament Thursday night.

The loss eliminates the Warriors from ILH and HHSAA State Championship contention, ending their season at 16-14 overall and 4-8 in league play.

At the end of the first quarter, it was knotted up at 17, but that's when Punahou began to showcase its athleticism on offense, and its power on defense. Led by double-digit scorers Chris Kobayashi (17 points) and Kaulana Makaula (10 points), the Buffanblu outscored the Warriors 29-12 in the second and third quarters.

Starting the second quarter, Kamehameha put in two quick baskets to gain a short-lived lead as Punahou went on a 9-0 run to jump out front. Both teams upped the pressure in the third quarter, but the Buffanblu were able to break several trap attempts paired with successful baskets to push far out ahead.

The Warriors inched within nine points with 5:28 left in the third quarter, but that would be the smallest deficit they could cut it to.

Midway through the final quarter and already up by 14 points, Punahou's Kobayashi drove the dagger in the already sealed coffin with a spectacular breakaway reverse layup and then a 3-pointer to reach 53 on the scoreboard.

Punahou junior Zayne Chong contributed nine points and sophomore Duke Clemens added eight of his own.

Kamehameha was led by juniors Mycah Pimental with 15 points, Kamren Victorino-Kato with 10 points and Kobe Young with eight points.

Having already earned the first-round ILH championship, Punahou (10-2 ILH) advances to the second-round championship in a rematch against No. 4 Iolani, who knocked off Saint Louis in the other semifinal game. The Buffanblu and the Raiders have clinched the ILH's two berths in the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships set to begin next week.

Iolani won the first matchup with Punahou, 49-38 in early January. The Buffanblu then won 51-49 later that month, and then 59-52 in last week's first-round championship game.

Both teams will square off Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hemmeter Fieldhouse on Punahou's campus. A Buffanblu-win will secure the overall ILH championship and a seeded-berth for the state tournament. The Raiders will have to win Friday and Saturday if they wish to accomplish that feat.

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