Chance Kalaugher had a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds to help the Cougars rally past the Surfriders. Steve Erler | SL

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02181610_02_17_16_kailua_kaiser_steve_erler-12.jpg - Steve Erler | SL

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Kaiser rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Kailua, 41-35 in the opening round of the OC16/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Basketball State Championships at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

"Kailua is big and physical, they defend the paint very well. The goal for us is to win each possession and grind. We were fortunate to get away with a win," said Kawazoe.

Chance Kalaugher led the way with 18 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. He also drained two 3s late in the third and early in the fourth.

The Cougars advance to play fourth-seeded Waiakea at 5 p.m. while the Surfriders play McKinley.

"They are playing well and are well-coached and we'll see what happens," said Kaiser coach Branden Kawazoe, a Warrior alum.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first half. Kaiser finished the game 14 of 45 (27.3 percent) from the field, while Kailua shot 12 of 44 (27.3 percent).

Kaiser edged out Kailua, 48-41 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association East regular season on Jan. 7. It was a close game from start to finish. 

Christian Mejia did most of his damage in the paint, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Freshman guard Kahapea Everett Torres came off the bench to score 11 points and went 3-for-6 from the 3-point line.

The Cougars trailed, 14-10 at halftime, but it was a tale of two halves. Kaiser eventually took the lead and went on a 5-0 run to make it 26-20 late in the third.

Kaiser extended the lead to 32-23 after 3's from Jalen Pinks and Kalaugher. Kailua chipped away by going on a 7-2 run to make it, 34-32. The Surfriders could not get any closer than four as the Cougars closed it out.

"Our defense led to offense, but we went through a lull in the fourth period. When they switched to man it happened. It's about being resilient, but our guys found a way," said Kawazoe.

It got chippy toward the end after Zach Marrotte was fouled and Mejia was called for a technical with 4.4 seconds left. Marrotte went 1-for-2 from the line and Isaiah Akiona sank both technical free throws.