Kalaheo seeks fourth OIA title in a row

Advertiser Staff

The OIA race is up for grabs starting today with top East seed Kalaheo, led by center Sam Wilhoite (44), among the favorites. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The 12-team field will play at school sites through the championship on Feb. 20.

Eastern Division champion Kalaheo (10-1), East runner-up Castle (9-2), Western Division champ Mililani (10-0) and West runner-up Leilehua (7-3) receive byes in the first round, which begins Thursday at Kaimuki and Pearl City.

At Kaimuki, West No. 4 seed Kapolei (7-3) will play East No. 5 Moanalua (8-3) at 5 p.m., followed by East No. 3 Kaimuki (8-3) vs. West No. 6 Nanakuli (6-4) at 6:30.

At Pearl City, East No. 4 Kahuku (8-3) meets West No. 5 Radford (7-3) at 5 p.m., followed by West No. 3 Pearl City (7-3) vs. East No. 6 McKinley (7-4).

Quarterfinal action moves to Kalaheo and Mililani on Friday.

Kalaheo, which has won 11 of the past 13 OIA titles, is led by 6-foot-7 center Sam Wilhoite.

Iolani-Punahou tonight: Iolani (12-0) can clinch the Interscholastic league of Honolulu regular season championship at 6:30 tonight with a victory at Punahou (11-1).

The Raiders defeated the Buffanblu 72-38 in their first-round game.