Hot start helps Punahou deny Maryknoll

Punahou's Cole Arceneaux celebrates with teammates at the end of the first half. Spencer Honda | SL

The Interscholastic League of Honolulu is going to need another game to determine its Division I champion.

No. 2 Punahou used a dominating first half to torch No. 1 Maryknoll, 66-51, in the league's second round final Monday night at the Alfred Wong Court at Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.

The Buffanblu (10-2) held a 21-point lead at the break and never looked back as they forced a winner-take-all playoff for the ILH D1 title, which will be played Wednesday at the Spartans' gym. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.

Four players scored in double figures for Punahou, who was led by Zayne Chong's 17 points. Kaulana Makaula and Duke Clemens each had 14 points while Cole Arceneaux chipped in 11.

Punahou dominated the first quarter, using a 13-0 run to take control of the contest.

The Buffanblu shot 7-for-11 in the opening period while holding the Spartans (10-2) to 2 of 12 shooting to take a 20-6 lead into the second quarter.

Maryknoll got some things going on offense in the next stanza, but could not keep up with Punahou's shooting streak as the Buffanblu was 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the second quarter.

Other than a 5-0 run by the Spartans to open the third quarter, the two teams traded point for point in the second half.

Maryknoll, who saw its 10-game winning streak snapped, saw Isiah Gelacio and Jordyn Perez score 14 points apiece in the loss.

Both teams have already qualified for the Snapple/HHSAA D1 Basketball Championships, which gets underway next Monday. The winner of Wednesday's contest will earn the league's seeded state berth.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].