Moanalua tops Kapolei, 44-31, to reach Red title game

Moanalua forward Eliet Donley puts up a shot against Kapolei. Peter Caldwell | SL

Moanalua took down West top-seed Kapolei in workman-like fashion, 44-31, in the first semifinal of the OIA Red boys basketball playoffs.

Guards Ola Brown (12 points) and Kahanu Pu'ulei-Auld (11 points) led the charge out of the backcourt, with forward Eliet Donley adding a 11 more to account for 34 of the 44 points put on the scoreboard by Moanalua.

Na Menehune led 17-10 at the break and never trailed.

Kapolei just could not find any offensive rhythm against Moanalua, and a 9-of-27 peformance at the free throw line did not help the cause.

Curtis Tavares finished the evening with 12 points including 3 three-pointers in the loss.

Kapolei will host Farrington on Friday in the third place game that will follow the fifth place game between Pearl City and Mililani set for 5:30 p.m. also at the Hurricanes' gymnasium. All four teams have also qualified for the state tournament.