The Punahou boys basketball team celebrates after beating Iolani for the ILH Division I title. CJ Caraang | SL

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Sat, Feb 11, 2017 @ Iolani

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Punahou

45

Iolani

40

Final	1	2	3	4
Punahou (11-3, 26-6)	10	18	6	11	45
Iolani (11-4, 22-11)	7	10	12	11	40

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

H. Hogland 16 pts  6/14 FTs

C. Kobayashi 17 pts  5 3pm  2/2 FTs

C. Hogland 3 tot  3 def

M. Tufono 3 tot  3 def

N. Bumanglag 2 ast

C. Kobayashi 2 ast

The Buffanblu basketball team has a short-term memory.

After dropping to the Raiders at home last night, Punahou returned the favor to beat Iolani, 45-40, to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title at the Raiders' Lower Gymnasium on Saturday night.

"We weren't ready to play yesterday. We weren't expecting that. Tonight we had a whole new attitude and we brought it to them," said senior guard Chris Kobayashi.

"We were a different team from the beginning. We had to do some psychology in the last 24 hours and the kids came ready to play. I told them they're already in states and it's gravy right now. They got nothing to lose, but a lot to win," said Punahou coach Darren Matsuda.

The Buffanblu (11-3 ILH) win their 19th overall ILH title and receive a seeded berth and first round bye in the Snapple/HHSAA Division I Boys Basketball State Championships. In the fifth and decisive meeting, Punahou handed Iolani (11-4 ILH) their first home loss of the ILH season.

"It's very difficult, especially coming into their house. They are a great team and we're happy to come out with a win tonight," added point guard Hunter Hosoda. "We tend to play better with our backs against the wall and we usually in the past we don't shoot well here, but it dropped for us tonight."

It's a short turn around for the Raiders who have a day off on Sunday then host a state tournament game on Monday for the opening round. Iolani played six games in eight days just to get into the state tournament and to force tonight's game.

"At this point it's kind of regular. We played six games in eight days, this was our fifth game in like six days this week. Six in eight since that Maryknoll game," said Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto, on having a short time to rest.

Ironically, the Buffanblu historically don't shoot too well in the Raiders' gym, but Kobayashi scored a team-high 17 points—15 came off of five 3-pointers.

"It feels really good. We had a shoot around and luckily we were able to hit some shots today to give us a win," said Kobayashi.

"On a couple of them, he had some small openings, but he knocked them down. It was the same story like last Tuesday where he got off with six and it opened the game up. Those 3's versus 2's end up being the difference and where we can't close the gap," said Shimamoto, on Kobayashi.

Hosoda was money at the free throw line to come away with all four of his points to help seal the victory.

"Late in the game they were doubling Chris and Zayne so I was lucky enough to get open and to knock down those free throws," said Hosoda.

Iolani rallied to bring the score within three, 41-38 after Justin Genovia's 3-pointer at the 1:32 mark in the fourth. The Buffanblu took over a minute off the clock by passing and dribbling around until Hunter Hosoda was fouled with 29.9 seconds. He hit both 1-and-1 free throws for a 43-38 lead.

Hugh Hogland made a basket in the paint and the Raiders called a full timeout with 16.6 seconds. Iolani fouled Hosoda again and he made the 1-and-1 free throws to put Punahou up, 45-40. Hogland was sent to the line, but missed both free throws. Genovia was under pressure and tried to launch a 3-pointer, but it was off the mark.

Punahou shot 8-for-10 from the line, while Iolani finished 11-for-22, Hogland was 6-for-14.

"We didn't take them away from what they like to do enough. We also didn't make free throws," said Shimamoto.

The Raiders started on a 5-0 run, but the Buffanblu responded with a 7-0 run that resulted in a 10-2 run to end the first quarter.

Kobayashi freed himself from Helam Baldomero and the Raiders' defense to hit three of his four 3-pointers in the second quarter to give the Buffanblu an 11-point lead going into halftime, 28-17.

"Hugh creates difficulties for us. Geno (Genovia) and Bailey (Alabanza) are good shooters. We really stepped up defensively tonight," said Kobayashi.

Hugh Hogland scored the first six points to start the third quarter, but Kaulana Makaula and Duke Clemens answered with layups. Iolani managed to cut it down to five after Ryan Van Cantfort's baseline jumper.

Genovia hit a pair of free throws early in the fourth quarter to bring the score within three, 34-31. Cole Mausolf extended the lead back to five for the Buffanblu after Hugh Hogland was called for goaltending the shot. Genovia hit his second 3-pointer to get the score within two, but Beau Whitaker evaded Hogland's long arm to extend it back to four and it was all Punahou from there.

"Their (Iolani) defense is awesome. With Hugh there, they are the best defensive team in the state, I think. It's tough to play them and we got some bounces going our way. It's a little bit of luck and a lot of will too," said Matsuda.

Hugh Hogland led Iolani with 16 points and three blocks while Genovia added 12 points in the loss.