Kalaheo beats Kaimuki at buzzer

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kalaheo players celebrate a semifinal win over Kaimuki in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball tournament. The Mustangs play Leilehua for the title tomorrow. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Instead, Cabral decided to dribble down the floor and fire a 3-pointer from the left wing.

The senior made the right decision.

The instant Cabral's 23-footer went through the netting, Kalaheo was celebrating a pulsating 43-41 victory over host Kaimuki and another appearance in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship game tomorrow at the Blaisdell Arena.

With the Bulldogs leading 41-40 and 11 seconds remaining, Kaimuki's Richy Miyasaka missed the front end of a one-and-one and Kalaheo (10-3) controlled the rebound.

Kalaheo, the East's No. 4 seed, didn't have any timeouts remaining so Cabral decided to take matters into his own hands.

"I was hoping he was going to penetrate, but it looked good as soon as it left his hand," Smith said. "The game was in his hands. He made the decision and it turned out to be a great decision."

Cabral's basket gave the Mustangs their only lead of the game.

"I'm the type of player who wants the ball in crunch time, but if I don't get it I can live with that, too," Cabral said.

Kalaheo will play Leilehua, a 60-49 winner over Mililani last night, for the OIA championship. The Mustangs have won the OIA title eight of the last nine years.

Kaimuki (10-2), the East's No. 2 seed, used a 13-3 run at the end of the half to take a 25-13 lead.

The Mustangs turned up their man-to-man defense and forced seven turnovers in the third quarter and closed to 29-25.

"They put some pressure on us and we had some problems taking care of the ball," Kaimuki coach Stephen Lee said.

The Mustangs rallied to tie it at 35 on an 15-footer by Theo Fujita with 2:37 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs scored four straight points, but Fujita hit a 3-pointer to close to 39-38 with 1:07 remaining. Miyasaka hit two free throws with 54 seconds left to make it 41-38. Cabral and Sam Wilhoite both hit 1-of-2 free throws to make it 41-40 with 13 seconds left.

Cabral scored 12 points and Wilhoite added 11 for Kalaheo, which has won five straight.

Kalaheo (10-3) 8 5 12 18—43
Kaimuki (10-2) 12 13 4 12—41

KALAHEO—Matt Nakashima 0, Theo Fujita 8, Will Elliot 3, Zane Cabral 12, Neal Bowers 0, David Moore 3, Jeremy Neufeldt 6, Sam Wilhoite 11. Totals 14 12-16 43.

KAIMUKI—Junior Maiava 2, Richy Miyasaka 4, Daniel Tautofi 11, Jimmy Miyasaka 15, James Davis 2, Nick Milan 7. Totals 16 6-8 41.

3-point goals—Kalaheo 3 (Fujita 2, Cabral 1). Kaimuki 3 (J. Miyasaka 2, Tautofi 1).

JV semifinals—Kahuku 54, Kailua 42. Kah: Hapaki Kaululaau 12, Oknese Ale 10. Kail: Kekoa Su'a 15.