Mililani beats St. Joseph, 33-31, in overtime thriller


Mililani forward Hassan Richardson elevates for a shot attempt against St. Joseph. Stacy Kaneshiro | SL
Alex Bumgarner's 3-pointer with 68 seconds left in overtime lifted Mililani over St. Joseph, 33-31, Tuesday in a quarterfinal of the Na Menehune 2010 Holiday Classic boys' basketball tournament at Moanalua.

The Trojans will play El Toro (Calif.) 7:30 tonight in one semifinal, while host Moanalua will play Academy of the Pacific at 6 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The teams were tied at 27 after regulation and quickly exchanged baskets in the first minute overtime to keep the game tied at 29. Each team exchanged turnovers later, but the Trojans were able to convert their takeaway with Bumgarner's 3-pointer from the left side to give Mililani a 32-29 lead. It was Bumgarner's only scoring on the night.

"We were looking the last shot to Hassan (Richardson), but Alex was open and took the shot," Mililani coach Edward Gonzales said.

The Cardinals were trying to set up a 3, but never got good looks and settled for Christian Kaui's reverse layup with 30 seconds left to pull St. Joseph to within one.

St. Joseph fouled Richardson, who led all scorers with 14 points, made one of his two free-throw tries to make it 33-31 with 16 seconds left.

The Cardinals called time with 11 seconds left, but the Trojans' defense stiffened and Sebastian Ohara-Saft was unable to get off a decent shot before the buzzer.

The Trojans trailed 13-11 entering the second half, coming out in a zone that the Cardinals diffused with three consecutive 3-pointers to double their lead. St. Joseph had a 26-18 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Shortly after the barrage of 3's, the Trojans switched to man-to-man defense. Gonzales said he used the zone earlier because St. Joseph runs a disciplined offense. The Trojans' athleticism in the man forced five fourth-quarter turnovers and two more in overtime to aid Mililani's comeback.

Cardinals' 6-foot-5 center Thomas Fairman led his team with 11 points.


NA MENEHUNE 2010 HOLIDAY CLASSIC

QUARTERFINALS

AOP 54, Roosevelt 33

Moanalua 47, Kaiser 34

El Toro (CA.) 74, Wai'anae 50


CONSOLATION BRACKET

Waipahu 43, UHS 41

Waiakea 68, McKinley 60

Mid-Pacific 44, Kaimuki 37

'Iolani II 49, Maryknoll 43