Glisson's 22 helps lift Pearl City over Moanalua in OT, 68-60


Pearl City and Moanalua players fight for a rebound. Peter Caldwell | SL

Pearl City knocked down 7 three-pointers, five from guard Sonny Glisson, in a somewhat stunning 68-60 overtime win, as the Chargers took down OIA Red runner-up Moanalua in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Division I Boys Basketball Championships.

The Chargers prevailed despite losing their two main post presences in 6-foot Tyson Hickox and 5-foot-11 Diacorri Briscoe, due in large part to incredible production from the trio of Glisson, Isaac Amorin and Raymart Rosario.

"We're a guard team. We can shoot the ball." said Pearl City head coach Lionel Villarmia. "This is one of the first games that they came out shooting. We've been telling them all year to shoot the ball and they did tonight."

Glisson led the charge, scoring a game-high 22 points, adding 7-of-10 free throws to go along with his five triples.

"He can shoot the ball, but he shys away." said Villarmia of Glisson. "He'd rather have the assist. He likes to pass the ball, but all week long we've been telling him to shoot the ball."

Rosario scored all 15 of his points in the second half, including 6 points in the overtime that helped break the game open for the Chargers. Amorin had a great all-around game, putting up at least 2 points in every period of play to finish with 14.

Na Menehune took a 23-20 lead into halftime, but the lead quickly evaporated, as Glisson's three at the four minute mark in the third put the Chargers in front.

Pearl City held on to a slim 37-36 advantage through three quarters of play.

The game continued to be a see-saw of momentum with both teams refusing to let the other take control over the final eight minutes.

Ola Brown stepped up with 8.6 seconds left in regulation and calmly knocked down both free throws to tie the score, and on the ensuing possession a Rosario bomb from the left wing glanced off the front of the iron to send the game to extra time.

In the overtime, Pearl City scored quickly, with Amorin getting the Chargers on the board. Moanalua responded with a basket of their own, but Rosario swished a three from the left wing, the same spot he casted the miss at the end of regulation, to put the Chargers back up.

Glisson banked in a three near the top of the key following a Moanalua score to extend the margin to four, which ultimately forced Na Menehune to foul down the stretch to try and extend the game.

Pearl City, a team shooting just under 60 percent for the season, made enough at the stripe in the clutch, knocking down 7-of-12 in the OT to seal the victory.



Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].