'EWA BEACH-Josh Ko's three-foot jumper with 30 seconds left in overtime lifted Kalaheo past Kahuku, 68-64, Friday night in the semifinals of the Saber Invitational at Campbell High.

The Mustangs, who are in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference, will play OIA Red West and host Campbell for the tournament championship, 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The Sabers beat Nanakuli, 41-34, in the other semifinal.

The Red Raiders, who play in the OIA Red East and finished second in the OIA tournament last year, will play the Golden Hawks for third place at 5 p.m.

Christian Academy will play Laupahoehoe at 2p.m. in the consolation final, while Le Jardin will take on Saint Francis for fifth place at 3:30 p.m.

"These kids stayed together," Kalaheo coach Alika Smith said. "We were down two starters and our other starter fouled out. Those guys coming off the bench showed a lot of heart and guts against a good team. It wasn't easy."

Kahuku, with a number of football players just two weeks removed from their state championship season, played like it was two weeks behind schedule at the outset. The Red Raiders trailed 32-16 at the half before methodically chipping away at its deficit. The Red Raiders pulled to 58-56 with 58 seconds left. The Mustangs brought the ball down court and called time with 31 seconds left, only to turn over the ball on the inbounds, setting up Sam Ching's game-tying putback with nine seconds left to force the OT.

The Red Raiders took a 64-63 lead with 45 seconds left on a basket by Ching. But the Mustangs regained the lead on their next possession on Ko's go-ahead basket. Jordyn Reindollar made two free throws with 15 seconds left and Ko made 1 of 2 with two seconds left to seal it for Kalaheo.

Ironically, while Kalaheo was able to convert three of its last four free throws, it made only two of six in the last three minutes of regulation, to aid Kahuku's rally.

Though it's only preseason, it was still a good confidence-builder for the Mustangs.

"It's helps us psychologically, knowing we can play, a belong kind of thing," Smith said. "But these kids always thought they did (belong) and they went out and proved it. It wasn't pretty, but they stayed together and that's what I'm proud about. When they do that, they can compete with anybody."

The Red Raiders will be without Bronson Beatty, who suffered a knee injury in last week's HUB Goodwill Senior Football Classic, Kahuku coach Darren Johnson said. But they added guard Mason Kualii-Moe, a transfer from Kaimuki. He is one of the number of football players on the team. It's just a matter of time before they get their basketball rhythm in full form.

"It's just preseason," Smith said. "They're going go be there in the end. That's for sure."

Ko led all scorers with 27 points, including five 3-pointers and Shem Sukumaran added 13 and three 3s for the Mustangs.

Ching led Kahuku with 22 points with Kualii-Moe chipping in 15 and Evan Ramirez added 14.

CAMPBELL 41, NANAKULI 34: Manuel Sy Jr. scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers to lead the Sabers.

Joe Shelton had 15 points to lead the Golden Hawks, who suited just seven players.

Conoslation bracket
Le Jardin 53, Christian Academy 51
Saint Francis 66, Laupahoehoe 21