KAPOLEI — Kapolei (1-0) made their free throws when it counted most as the Hurricanes held off a scrappy Leilehua (0-1) squad, 49-46, in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West opener for both teams at Kapolei's gymnasium on Saturday.

Both teams recently played in the Iolani Classic a couple days ago and found the tune up beneficial leading up to Saturday's game.

"We were so grateful they invited us to play against the competition and it gave the opportunities for a lot of my reserves and it gave our starters valuable time against good competition," said Leilehua coach Russ Fitzgerald.

"We didn't have that intensity we played with in the Iolani Classic. That defensive intensity we had was lacking tonight," said Kapolei coach Gary Ellison.

The Hurricanes shot 18 of 24 (75 percent) from the free throw line and went 11 of 14 (78.5 percent) in the fourth quarter.

"Before practice we shoot free throws, during practice we shoot. Whenever we have a chance, we shoot free throws. I know it can be a heartbreak when you can't shoot free throws," said Ellison, on the importance of making free throws.

"Kapolei's a great team and they make their free throws and I have to give them that," said coach Fitzgerald.

Zoar Nedd, who struggled shooting from the field (3-of-11 shooting), made up for it by sinking 12 of his 15 free throw attempts. He shot 8 of 10 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.

"I've been in a slump in the preseason. I've been practicing shooting 100 free throws a day," said Nedd.

Marquis Montgomery added 12 points and Ja'Shon Carter added eight.

Nedd made both foul shots to give Kapolei a 49-46 lead with 42.0 seconds left. He came up empty-handed from the line with 22.8 seconds remaining. Leilehua rebounded the ball and worked time off the clock until Fitzgerald took an off-balanced 3-pointer. Genesis Ofoia got the rebound and was fouled in the corner with 0.8 seconds left on the clock. He missed the first one-and-one free throw and Nedd corralled the rebound for the win.

"It felt good, especially after they beat us in states. We stayed as a team and finished the game," said Nedd.

Liam Fitzgerald put the Mules on his back and scored 15 of Leilehua's 19 points in the first half. He finished with 23 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Elijah Robinson added 10 points — all came in the second half to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks.

"You have to give credit to Leilehua. Liam and Elijah, it was a block fest against us in the fourth," said Ellison.

"Anyone who sees us play and when they describe it, we play hard. Our kids work hard on chemistry and not giving up. This was another close game for us. We were point blank with Kamehameha twice and were within seven points to Punahou. We have a whole bunch of guys who can do a whole bunch of stuff," said coach Fitzgerald.

Kapolei led after the first quarter and extended their lead to nine following Montgomery's layup to make it, 20-11. Tashaun Wright and Fitzgerald sank back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to six, 23-17. Ja'Shon Carter added a baseline drive and Montgomery drained a 3-pointer at the top of the key to give Kapolei a 28-19 lead at halftime.

Despite leading by nine and 11 during the second quarter, the Hurricanes didn't look their usual selves for the first three quarters.

"I believed they still had in mind what happened last year when we played Leilehua. They came out a little timid, but as the game got going, they gained confidence and went from there," said Ellison.

Leilehua opened up the third quarter on a 10-1 run and tied the game at 29 off of Raymond Agdinaoay's basket. Jalen Miller's layup gave the Hurricanes a 31-29 lead, but Agdinaoay's 3-pointer from the left corner gave the Mules a 33-31 lead going into the fourth quarter. Leilehua outscored Kapolei, 14 to 3 in the quarter and the Hurricanes didn't help their cause shooting 1 of 9 from two-point territory.

Carter tied the game at 33, but Fitzgerald answered back with his third 3-pointer, 36-33. Robinson got his teammates on their feet after a putback slam to make it, 38-34. Isiah Higa drained his second 3-pointer and Nedd's putback reclaimed the lead for the Hurricanes, 39-38.

"I think it was our energy, we started flying around on defense and it created our offense for the most part," said Nedd, on picking it up in the fourth.

Fitzgerald tied the game at 39 by splitting a pair of free throws, but Nedd was perfect for a one minute stretch going 8 of 8 from the free throw line to give Kapolei a 47-39 lead. However, the Mules answered with a 7-0 run and made it a one point game after Robinson made both foul shots, 47-46 with 55.8 seconds left.

Kapolei plays at Mililani (0-1) on Dec. 28 while Leilehua hosts the Trojans two days later on Dec. 30.