Kahuku F Lamone Williams challenges the shot of Molokai's Jordan Boswell. Sylvia Lee | SL

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1128122310_IMG_3490.jpg - Sylvia Lee | SL

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'EWA BEACH-Kahuku's first preseason basketball game provided the Red Raiders an opportunity to work on the transition game.

And it had nothing to do with outlet passes or fast breaks.

Less than a week removed from winning the Division I state football crown, the Red Raiders' 19 basketball players - all from the football team - made the transition from cleats to sneakers by beating Molokai, 62-47, in an opening-round game of the Campbell Sabers Tournament Wednesday night.

Wreaking the same havoc he causes on the football field was Kawehena Johnson, who led Kahuku with 22 points, including a pair 3-pointers.

The Farmers, also playing their first game, led 28-27 at the half. Paka Adolpho, brother of University of Hawai'i Wahine volleyball player Kalei Adolpho, paced the Farmers with 16 points.

Kahuku will play Kalaheo at 6 p.m. Thursday in one semifinal of the tournament. The Mustangs beat Kealakehe, 66-46, in the other opening-round game Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, Saint Francis beat Nanakuli, 74-35, and host Campbell defeated Christian Academy, 65-42. The Sabers play Saint Francis in the other semifinal 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

In consolation games earlier Thursday, Molokai will play Kealakehe at 3 p.m. and Nanakuli will meet Christian Academy at 4:30 p.m.

"We got a lot of work ahead of us," said Kahuku coach Darren Johnson, also making the transition from defensive coordinator to basketball mentor. "But the kids, they understand hard work."

They sure do. Less an 11 hours after they celebrated their football victory against Punahou, the players were on the court at 8 a.m. Saturday. And that session was more of a shoot around, Johnson said. Their only formal practices were on Monday and Tuesday.

The Red Raiders, who figure to be contenders again in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East, played the first of 22 preseason games. Obviously, they weren't up to basketball speed against the Farmers. But Johnson was still pleased.

"I was actually happy," Johnson said. "Our football kids don't touch a basketball. Every single one of those kids hadn't shot the ball until Saturday. So, not bad. We had open looks, but we just have to knock 'em all down."

The game was laden with turnovers by both sides. The Red Raiders were 2 of 8 from the free throw line in the first half until Johnson converted a pair of one-and-ones twice, the latter coming with 33 seconds left and giving Kahuku a 27-25 lead. But David Rapanot's 3-pointer with 23 seconds left gave the Farmers a 28-27 lead at the break.

Molokai saw its lead disappear in the final 2:41 of the third quarter. Trailing 34-32, the Red Raiders eight unanswered points that was stared with a layup by Johnson that tied the game at 34. They took the lead for good, 36-34, on agother layup by Johnson off a fast break. Lasselle Thompson scored shortly after a steal in the Farmers' backcourt. Johnson then scored off a steal with 1:08 left in the quarter to increase Kahuku's lead to 40-34. The Farmers were unable to recover from that scoring spurt.

Still, Farmers coach Lester Delos Reyes felt his team did well for its first game considering he is carrying five freshmen.

"For a first game, I thought we did well," Delos Reyes said. "We had quite a few freshmen trying to get the bugs out yet. We've seen some travels here and there. But it's a first game and they're excited, plus the nervousness on the court."

After Thursday's games, the tournament resumes Saturday with the title game set for 6:30 p.m. Consolaton games start from 2 p.m.