On Senior Night, the Leilehua Mules gave Kapolei a good game, but the Hurricanes pulled away for good in the fourth quarter in a 52-39 win, improving to 9-0 in OIA West play.

"The crowd played a factor. It seems like everyone is bringing the crowd against us. Hats off to Leilehua, they played hard without some of their best players," said Kapolei head coach Gary Ellison.

Leilehua head coach Pat Wetzel was impressed with Kapolei's performance. He said, "I would like to congratulate the Kapolei Hurricanes. I've been watching their team since their guys were sophomores and they play the right way and got better. You can see the fruits of their labor come into play."

Curtis Tavares scored 21 points and hit 3 three pointers to lead Kapolei.

"Tavares played well, of course, he's the leader of the team. We expect him to play smart basketball," said Gary Ellison.

In the first quarter Kapolei jumped out to a 7-0 after a three pointer by Curtis Tavares.

The Mules bounced back to trail, 9-7 after Torenzo Vereen was fouled after making a layup. Christopher Dillard drove baseline and laid it up and Hurricanes outscored the Mules, 6-2 to close the quarter.

Curtis Tavares stole the ball and gave Kapolei a 10-point lead, 20-10. He hit two consecutive 3-pointers to put Kapolei up, 26-12 and Leilehua called a full timeout with 3:43 remaining.

"They had a great shooting night, Tavares had 3 three's. You have to tip your hat off to them," said Coach Wetzel.

The Mules fought back and cut the deficit to 8 points heading into halftime after Pomai Cozo hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

In the third quarter, Leilehua battled back and chipped the lead to 5, 29-24 after a steal and layup by Troy "TJ" Ross.

"As for our team, we had other teams that are talented, but I get a good night of sleep every night because those guys give everything they got. They're not the biggest team or the most skilled team, but they play hard. As a coach, I am proud to be associated with a group of fine, young men," remarked Wetzel.

Kapolei made some adjustments and used their length and athleticism to get inside the paint.

"The first half, we didn't go inside enough. The second half we pounded it inside and we had the advantage," said Ellison.

Kapolei's Zachary Reeves scored 7 of his 16 points in the quarter. He was aggressive and got to the free throw line numerous times, hitting 8-of-9 for the game.

"In the third quarter, he (Reeves) stepped up and he was coming into his own. I think he's starting to get his game back," said Ellison.

Kapolei went on a 7-0 run to start to open the fourth quarter and pulled away after Reeves hit a jumper to put the Hurricanes up, 45-34. Leilehua called a timeout with 3:44 remaining. The Mules would get no closer than 9 and Tavares had a steal and layup to close out the game.

Pomai Cozo led Leilehua with 21 points and Troy "TJ" Ross added 10 points.

"We lost a couple guys to injury and other reasons. But we got to keep fighting and get better. I was really encouraged by our effort tonight; they kept fighting all the way through even though Kapolei jumped up to double figures on us. But we'll be ready come playoff time," said Wetzel.