Fourth-quarter surge propels Maryknoll over Moanalua


Wes Nakama
December 28, 2011, 9:24pm

Maryknoll's Joshua Burnett soars over two Moanalua defenders to score 2 of his 12 second-half points. Brien Ing | SL
Josh Burnett posted nine of his 12 points in the fourth period last night as Maryknoll outscored host Moanalua 20-6 in the final quarter to rally for a 52-40 victory and a spot in the Na Menehune Holiday Classic championship game.

The Spartans will face Interscholastic League of Honolulu rival Academy of the Pacific for the title at 7:30 tonight. Moanalua will play St. Joseph in the third-place game at 6.

Freshman point guard Kaleb Gilmore made a steal and sank one of two free throws just five seconds into the fourth period to start Maryknoll on a 13-2 run that was capped by Austin Gaskins' layup to make it 45-36 with 4:25 remaining.

Dillon Turk answered with a layup nine seconds later, but that was as close as Na Menehune would get as they only managed two free throws by Daibe Starks the rest of the way.

Gilmore led the Spartans with 13 points and Gaskins added 10 points.

Moanalua led 22-20 at halftime and 34-32 after three periods.