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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 22, 2007

Farrington tops No. 1 UHS, 58-56

 •  KS-Hawai'i sends 'Iolani packing, 57-54

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

Bryson Tatupu-Leopoldo made two free throws in the final 23 seconds of overtime that helped unseeded Farrington upset top-seeded University High, 58-56, in a quarterfinal of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Boys Basketball Division II State Championships at Kaimuki's gym last night.

Farrington (12-5) meets McKinley in an 8 p.m. semifinal tonight. University High (12-3) falls into consolation.

'Aiea (14-1) meets Kohala (14-3) in the other 8 p.m. semifinal at Farrington's gym.

"I just said 'focus,' and let's make this," Tatupu-Leopoldo told himself at the free-throw line.

The free throws — the front ends of two one-and-ones, the second giving the Governors a 58-54 lead — were Tatupu-Leopoldo's only points of the night. The 6-foot-4 forward made up for his second miss by grabbing the rebound with 12 seconds left that sealed the Govs' win.

"Bryson is our best free-throw shooter," said Farrington head coach Allan Silva. "He's been money."

Things didn't look good for the Govs', who had two starters — Elijah Lesu and Glenn Ernest — foul out down the stretch.

"I was really scared," said Tatupu-Leopoldo. "They're two of our best players, but I wanted to be put in."

Silva didn't admit much concern after the game. "We run a platoon system," he explained. "So I said 'let's go!' "

Farrington led for most of the game, but the Junior Rainbows reclaimed the lead with less than two minutes to play in regulation when Dylan Gomez made both free throws to put UHS up, 48-47. However, Christian Hernandez drew a foul on the ensuing possession, made the front end of a one-and-one to tie it at 48. Gomez finished with 18 to lead all scorers.

UHS missed four free throws in the final 1:05 and the teams went into overtime.

Hernandez scored three of his team-high 15 points on a 3-pointer from the left wing and Cody Hua's reverse layup the following trip up the floor put Farrington up, 55-51, with two minutes to play.

The Junior 'Bows pulled within two points following Gomez's putback after a missed free throw.

Farrington's Oscar Carter found his way to the free throw line, where he made one of two. However, UHS was called for traveling and they were forced to foul thereafter.

Today's semifinal will be the third meeting between Farrington and McKinley, who finished second and third, respectively, in the OIA White Conference.

"You know, me and (McKinley head coach) Bob Morikuni called it a long time ago that we'd meet in the state tournament," said Silva.

The Govs' swept the season series with the Tigers.

MCKINLEY 58, SEABURY HALL 34

Rey Vincent Enanoria scored 13 points off the bench to lead the Tigers past the Spartans at Kaimuki's gym in a quarterfinal game.

"It was the best performance we've had in a while," said McKinley head coach Bob Morikuni. "We played how we should be playing."

The Tigers (11-6) set a quick pace early, hitting their first three shots to take a 6-2 lead. Seabury Hall (11-5), Maui Interscholastic League champion, had turnovers on its next four possessions and never recovered. Kasen Dudley's 3-pointer ended a 7-0 McKinley run, but the Tigers used a 10-2 run for a 20-8 first-quarter lead.

Julius Borje's layup off an assist from Nainoa Lessary with under two minutes to play in the first half extended the McKinley lead to 33-12. The Tigers led 33-13 at halftime.

It was more of the same in the second half as McKinley stretched its lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Spartans 10-2 in the period.

"(McKinley) just shot the ball better, their outside shooters hit their shots and they took advantage of what we gave them," said Seabury Hall head coach John Ilbous.

Lessary added 13 points for McKinley and forward Tilton Kaluna added nine.

The Spartans struggled from the free-throw line, going 7-of-16.

Sam Guard led the Spartans with 12 points, 11 coming in the final quarter.

'AIEA 80, AOP 56

Josh Chung scored 27 points, Obie Woods added 12 and Na Ali'i sank 11 3-pointers to roll past the Dolphins into tonight's semifinals.

KOHALA 67, MOLOKA'I 50

Ryan Bautista scored 15 points and Jacob Roxburgh added 12 to lead the Cowboys past the Farmers. Eben Napoleon and Nohea Pangkee had 12 points each for Moloka'i.