Kapolei holds off Kaimuki, 40-36


Kapolei's Kawehi Hagi puts up a shot attempt between a trio of Kaimuki defenders. Stacy Kaneshiro | SL
KAPOLEI - Kapolei overcame a laborious third quarter to knock off Kaimuki, 40-36, Friday night in an elimination-bracket game of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red tournament at the Hurricanes' gym.

The Hurricanes (15-1) will host Kahuku (8-8) Tuesday with the winner advancing to the tournament championship Thursday against Farrington. The Governors, the only unbeaten team left in the tourney, can take the OIA title with a win or will have a second chance on Jan. 29.

Krystal Jacobs led Kapolei with 13 points, followed by Kawehi Hagi's 10. The Bulldogs were led by Letisha Fa'asoa's 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Kapolei took a 21-15 lead into the third period, but went cold. The Bulldogs (8-8) got 3-pointers from Fa'asoa and Alison Pologa to chip away at their deficit. Kaimuki took the lead with four seconds left in the third quarter, 27-25, on Dejah Fa'asoa's basket.

Kaimuki extended its lead to 29-25 Fa'asoa's drive to the hoop to open the fourth period, but Kayla Fuataga's 3-pointer ignited Kapolei's 9-0 run to it back in front. The Bulldogs pulled to within 34-33 with 3:06 left, but the Hurricanes opened their lead to 38-34.

Kaimuki got to within 38-36 with 36 seconds left, but Hagi made the front end of a one-and-one with 20 seconds left to give the Hurricanes a three-point lead. Hagi missed the second shot but the ball went off a Kapolei player out of bounds with 18 seconds left, as Kaimuki called time.

Pologa's 3-point try with six seconds left was rebounded by Toe Motu, who was fouled on the play. But she missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Hagi came down with the rebound and was fouled. She made one of two of double-bonus free throws to make it 40-36 with four seconds left.


Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].