Seabury Hall, Kohala set to clash in Division II semifinals

Rayden Aoki | SL

It might not be at the point of tourney many had hoped for, but the upcoming pairing will be one to watch nevertheless.

With the opening round games at Kaimuki High School now in the books, top-seeded Seabury Hall will face off with two-time champion Kohala in the semifinal round of the HHSAA Division II boys basketball state championships, a rematch of the title game a year ago.

In the first game of the day, the MIL champion Spartans struggled early, but eventually righted the ship in a 75-59 win over Kaiser.

The Cougars actually led 19-16 after one quarter of play, but Seabury enrupted for 28 points in the second quarter to lead 44-29 at the break and then used a 20-12 advantage to take a 64-41 after three periods.

Junior guard Sebastian Peterson poured in a career-high 32 points, knocking down 3 of 5 from three-point land and connecting on 9 of 11 free throws, while adding six rebounds, and assist and a block for good measure, and forward Bromo Dorn chipped in 19 points, six boards, three assists, a steal and a block before fouling out midway through the fourth.

The Cougars were led by Mano Tiritas and Norris Birdsong, who combined for 36 points and five threes in the loss. Tiritas also had a team-high seven boards.

Kohala started strong out the gate and never looked back in a statement 50-22 win over Damien.

The Cowboys were led by Layden Kauka's 17 points and six rebounds, and Jayden Hook's 16 points and four boards, accounting for two-thirds of the teams' output scoring-wise.

Defensively, Kohala played lights out, holding the Monarchs to just 8 of 28 from the field and 1 of 17 from three. The Cowboys racked up 14 steals and four blocks in the win.

Alani Tuifua had five points and five rebounds to pace the Monarchs, who outrebounded the Cowboys 30-23, but struggled to hit shots and get any real continuity offensively.

Kauka appeared to suffer an apparently ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return to the action.