Kailua edges Leilehua, 38-36, for state berth

Kailua's Jonah Kalai and Leilehua's Kalei Kauhi battle for a ball in the second half of the OIA Division I quarterfinals. Sylvia Lee | SL

Christian Mejia scored 13 points to help Kailua squeeze past host Leilehua, 38-36, in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I quarterfinals Friday night at Paul T. Kobayashi Gymnasium & Richard Townsend Court.

The Surfriders outscored the Mules, 10-7, in the second quarter to build a six-point halftime lead en route to a two-point victory.

Kailua moves on to face top-ranked Kahuku Tuesday at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m. The win also punches Kailua's ticket in to the Snapple/HHSAA Division I state tournament.

Liam Fitzgerald had 16 points on three triples and Trey Boatwright added 10 points to lead the Mules in the loss.