Pii Minns goes high for the layup.
January 25, 2008
David Kawada - Content Editor
dkawada@digitalsports.com
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A very low scoring game turned out to have an exciting final minute as Kamehameha held on to defeat St Louis, 29-28, in ILH boy’s basketball at Kekuhaupi’o Gym. The Warriors improve to 6-2 in league play while the Crusaders fall to 3-5.
The Warriors employed a 2-1-2 zone defense that stymied the Crusader offense all night. On the other end of the floor the St Louis man-to-man defense caused problems for the Kamehameha offense as well. Neither team could really gain momentum or any shooting rhythm. The halftime score was only 13-10 in favor of Kamehameha.
The rims did not get any bigger in the 2nd half as the defenses still held court for both teams. Each team was coming off losses to Punahou and Iolani so a victory tonight would be critical in terms of post season consideration.
With the Warriors leading 24-22 with 1:04 remaining in the game, Head Coach Jesse Nakanishi decided to go into a stall. Forced to foul, the Crusaders hacked Brandon Dumlao and sent him to the line. His free throws in this final minute would be critical for the Warrior victory. He made both to extend the lead to 26-22.
Dumlao would hit 2 more free throws to make it 28-22 with under :40 seconds to play. Victory seemed evident considering the limited offensive scoring displayed in this game .
Cole Shidaki, who had been limited to only 5 points at the time, hit a field goal at the :23 second mark to cut the lead to 28-24. After Head Coach Delbert Tengan calls a timeout, St Louis fouls and sends Dumlao to the line again, although he misses both free throws.
On the ensuing possession, Michael Tuiloma grabs an offensive rebound and puts it back in and draws the foul. He makes the first free throw but misses the second to narrow the lead to 1 point, 28-27 with :10 on the clock.
The Crusaders would foul Dumlao again. He makes the first, misses the second. Score is 29-27 with :08 remaining.
Off of the rebound, Shidaki penetrates down the middle and gets off a shot that misses and the Warrior fans think the game is over. But a foul is called and :01 remains on the clock.
Cole Shidaki would have the chance to tie the game with 2 high pressure free throws. With the game on the line, he makes the first shot smoothly. But the 2nd goes off the back of the rim and the Warriors hold on to the 1-point victory.
Dumlao led the Warriors with 8 points, including 6 of 9 from the free throw line. Pii Minns added 6 points. For the Crusaders, Tuiloma lead all scorers with 14 points. Shidaki contributed 8 points to the effort.