Big first quarter lifts No. 9 Kailua over Kalani, 47-23


Kailua's Zachary Marrotte puts up a reverse layup against the visiting Kalani Falcons. Leighland Tagawa | Special to SL

This one was over within the first eight minutes.

Ninth-ranked Kailua jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter to cruise to a 47-23 win over visiting Kalani in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division contest at Harry Murai Gymnasium Tuesday night.

Christian Mejia scored 16 points in Kailua's win to help the Surfriders improve to 4-2 in the OIA Division I East standings.

Kalani (3-3), who is in Division II, suffered its third straight loss after starting the regular season with three consecutive victories.

The Falcons responded in the second quarter and outscored the Surfriders by 11 in the period, but Kailua still held a 19-13 lead at the break.

Kailua put the game out of reach in the third period, outscoring Kalani 16 to 3 in the quarter.