Kamehameha breaks through Kaimuki, 69-49

•	Campbell ousts Kamehameha-Maui
•	Punahou rallies past Waiakea
•	Kalaheo turns aside Kaua'i
	Basketball photo gallery

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kamehameha's guard trio of Ikaika Hardie, Rykin Enos and Michael Nii put on a fast break and shooting clinic last night as the Warriors raced past Kaimuki, 69-49, in a state tournament first-round game at Blaisdell Arena.

Kamehameha guard Rykin Enos finds a seam in the Kaimuki defense to score two of his 18 points. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hardie scored a game-high 25 points, Enos added 18 points and Nii finished with 11 points to help the Warriors blow open a close game in the third period.

"It was almost all on fast breaks, and that's our game —Êcreate havoc and then finish it on the break," Hardie said. "Our coaches told us we need to have the killer instinct and finish them off, to put the dagger in when we had the chance."

The Bulldogs (10-6) began the game undermanned, especially with starting point guard Kekoa Onaga sidelined for academic reasons. But they managed to stay close until Enos and Hardie finished the half with consecutive layups to make it 30-22 at the break.

Kamehameha then opened the second half with a 13-4 run to go up 43-26 with 4:22 remaining in the third period.

"We're real thin, so I knew (Onaga's absence) would be a problem and it would be an uphill battle for us," Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant said. "Kamehameha was just too quick."

The Bulldogs made one last run early in the fourth quarter, pulling to 49-42 on Thomas Pyo's baseline jumper with 5:40 left. But the Warriors closed it out with a 20-2 run for their fifth straight victory.

In addition to the fast break layups, Hardie, Enos and Nii also combined to make 3 of 7 3-point goals and were 22 of 39 (56.4 percent) from the field overall.

Also, center Kamalu Miller contributed 10 points and 16 rebounds, providing valuable post production that was missing at times earlier in the season.

"After we lost to Iolani (63-56 on Feb. 1), we met as a team and set new goals," said Hardie, a 5-foot-10 senior. "And this was it — to get here, to make states and take it as far as we can."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.