By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
As talented as Kalaheo’s Skyler Wilson is, he knew he wasn’t going to win many games playing for his high school team in California.
Fortunately, he had an option.
Last night, playing for his uncle, coach Pete Smith, Wilson scored 24 points to help Kalaheo defeat Mililani, 57-47, in the O‘ahu Interscholastic Association Tournament championship game at Blaisdell Arena.
Kalaheo (13-0) has won 13 OIA championships, including nine of the last 11.
Wilson said he wasn’t happy with his coach and losing while playing in California, so he transferred to Kalaheo at the beginning of the school year.
"I just like to go out there and create as a point guard," Wilson said. "It’s my senior year. This is my first taste of victory so it’s extra special for me."
Mililani (10-3) tied the game at 45 with 5:30 remaining, but Kalaheo went on a 12-2 run to end the game. Wilson scored five points during the rally.
"He always steps up," Smith said. "He knows what to do. He knows how to create things for himself and his teammates."
The Mustangs played without starting center Ikaika Alama Francis for more than half the game after he suffered a huge gash on the back of his head with 2:26 remaining in the first half. On the play, Alama Francis and Mililani’s Trey Brown fell to the floor while fighting for a rebound in front of Kalaheo’s basket. Alama Francis’ head hit the floor hard.
"Losing Ikaika really hurt us," Smith said. "He’s our leading rebounder and our inside presence. When we lost him, we had to make some adjustments."
Alama Francis was taken to a nearby hospital. Smith said he’ll need stitches and may have a mild concussion.
Mililani played a 2-3 zone for virtually the entire game.
"They could shoot," Mililani coach Mike Coito said. "They got the ball, moved the zone and were able to get nice shots. For them, it’s not a problem."
Kalaheo led 45-41 after three quarters, and stalled to open the fourth against Mililani’s zone. About 1:15 into the quarter, the Trojans picked up man-to-man.
"It’s all strategy," Coito said. "We took the rest at the time and when it was time to play ball, we decided to play some man."
After Mililani scored the first five points of the game, Kalaheo went to a 1-2-1-1 full-court press and went on a 16-4 run to end the quarter. Wilson scored eight consecutive points, including two 3-pointers during the rally.
The Mustangs missed their first seven shots of the game, but hit six in a row to end the quarter.
"We’re happy we pulled out a close game because we haven’t been in that many this year," Wilson said.
KALAHEO 16 15 14 12—57
MILILANI 9 16 16 6—47
KALAHEO-C.J. Kaimiola 6, Skyler Wilson 24, Mike Lefevre 0, James Robertson 0, Nate Ijima 3, Shaydon Marumoto 0, Ikaika Alama Francis 1, Shane Harada 0, Charles Elliot 0, Aubrey Bradley 0, Justin Pedrina 2, D.C. Daniels 16, Keoki Duarte 5, Mike Garcia 0, Remington Chun 0, Kiona Siliga 0.
MILILANI-Gary Deliz 2, Rashaun Broadus 10, Troy Wailehua 0, Alex Aguda 0, William Broadus 13, Andrew Min 0, Hoku Patoc 2, Chad DeMello 0, Kaipo Patoc 12, Trey Brown 8, Maurice Johnson 0.
3-point goals-Kalaheo 5 (Wilson 3, Ijima 1, Duarte 1). Mililani 1 (K. Patoc).
 Leilehua 72, Kahuku 51: The Mules broke open a close game by outscoring the Red Raiders by 19 in the fourth period for third place in the OIA Tournament.
Leilehua, which trailed 15-8 after the first period, led 42-40 entering the fourth period.
Eric Marshall scored 19, Garland Gantt 18 for Leilehua. Micah Casey led Kahuku with 25 points.
KAHUKU 15 9 16 11—51
LEILEHUA 8 24 10 30—72
KAHUKU-Trumaine Oto 0, Ferron Fonoimoana 8, Philip Alisa 4, Aaron Francisco 6, Anthony Hill 0, Inoke Funaki 0, Micah Casey 25, James Kammerer 6, Adonis Buttel 0, Tala Esera 2, Jonathan Mapu 0, Quin Ah You 0.
LEILEHUA-Garland Gantt 18, Ricardo Bachelor 8, Joshua Jumawan 11, Clifton Feliciano 13, Shaun Fetzer 1, Demitrius Washington 0, Mike Helgerson 2, John Dolac 0, Ruben Dix 0, Eric Marshall 19.
3-point goals-Kahuku 1 (Fonoimoana 1). Leilehua 3 (Jumawan 2, Feliciano 1).
ILH
St. Louis 62, Mid-Pacific 39: Jason Rivers scored 19 points, leading the Crusaders into the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Post Season Tournament that decides the league’s third state berth.
The Crusaders will play Kamehameha at 7 tonight at ‘Iolani for the berth. St. Louis defeated Kamehameha twice during the season.
ILH champion ‘Iolani and second-place Punahou have already clinched state berths.
St. Louis 17 13 11 21—62
Mid-Pacific 7 10 12 10—39
ST. LOUIS-Bobby Tappy 2, Jose Vidad 6, Justin Harris 17, Jonah Lakatani 4, Brenden Clement 2, J.P. Kanoa 6, Jason Rivers 19, Frank Rivers 4, T.J. Moe 2, Chad Wheeler 0.
MID-PACIFIC-Lawren Kanno 0, Clint Copulos 13, Ryan Leong 0, Brian Terayama 1, James Ogiwara 10, Ricky Bauer 8, Kyle Yanabu 0, Chris Hoe 3, Matt Friedman 2, Chad Wheeler 0, Brandyn McCall 2.
3-point goals-Mid-Pacific 4 (Copulus 2, Ogiwara 1, Hoe 1).
Kamehameha 74, Damien 44: Kolo Kapanui scored 23 points, keeping alive the Warriors berth for the state tournament.
KAMEHAMEHA 20 14 17 23—74
DAMIEN 7 19 6 12—44
KAMEHEMEHA-Eric Shaver 0, Kolo Kapanui 23, Sean Uyehara 7, Caleb Spencer 3, Mana Easeley 2, Ko Kealoha 0, Mana Aweau 4, Nalu Perkins 0, Ray Oka 8, Aaron Kahaloa 4, Willy Melemai 17, Willie Greenwel 6.
DAMIEN-Brandon Ahakuelo 12, Jon Aquino 3, Mark Arquero 7, Peter Campos 0, Aaron Jaramillo 6, Stein Abe 2, Ashton Saifoloi 0, Dustin Sonico 0, Jarin Garma 14, Brandon Wilson 0.
3-point goals-Damien 6 (Garma 4, Ahakuelo 2). Kamehameha 2 (Kapanui 1, Uyehara 1).
MAUI
Maui 71, Baldwin 57: The Sabers defeated the Bears in the second round of the Maui Interscholastic League playoffs.
Maui and Baldwin play again today to determine who will go to state as the No. 1 team in the Maui Interscholastic League. Game time is 7 p.m. at War Memorial Gym.
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