It didn't take long for six-time defending Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball champion 'Iolani to be put to the test in 2007.

The Raiders held off Kamehameha, 44-38, in double overtime last night in the ILH season opener for both teams.

Sophomore forwards Liloa Nobriga and Pablo Warner combined to make six of eight free throws in the final 43 seconds of the second OT to lift 'Iolani, which also has won the past five state titles.

"This is pretty big, because a lot of people have been doubting us this season," said Nobriga, who is one of five new starters, including three sophomores. "We have only two seniors, so we knew we have to work hard. It feels good to get this first win."

As young teams are often prone to do, the Raiders almost let this one slip away after building a 31-22 lead early in the fourth period. They went scoreless until the end of regulation, and neither team scored in the final 3:08 after Rykin Enos tied the score at 31-31 on a layup.

'Iolani had the final possession but could manage only a 27-foot desperation airball.

In the first overtime, Mitch Kauweloa gave the Warriors a 33-31 lead on two free throws with 2:15 remaining, but Warner tied it on a putback with 41 seconds left. The Raiders again had the last possession after a held ball with 21 seconds remaining, but air-balled an open 10-footer from the baseline.

'Iolani quickly took a 38-33 lead in the second OT after a layup by Nobriga and Ryan Dung's 3-pointer from the left corner.

Enos closed it to 38-36 on a 22-foot 3-pointer from the left wing with 2:49 left, but Nobriga's two free throws pushed it to 40-36 with 43 seconds remaining and two more free throws by Warner made it 42-36 with 22 ticks left. After yet another miss by Kamehameha, Nobriga sealed it by sinking two free throws with 13 seconds remaining.

"We lost a big opportunity, but our guys showed a lot of courage and heart tonight," Warriors coach Jesse Nakanishi said.

'Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi, who had said his team "had trouble finishing games" during a 10-5 non-league schedule, found a little more satisfaction last night.

"We finally made free throws and made some stops on defense and took better care of the basketball at the end, although it took us five quarters," Mugiishi said. "Kamehameha has great athletes and they put a lot of pressure on you, so a lot of (turnovers) came from them."

The Warriors also did a good job containing the Raiders' top scorer, Case Miyahira, who finished with five points on two first-half field goals.

Nobriga led 'Iolani with 11 points and Warner had 10.

Enos scored a game-high 17 points to lead Kamehameha.

KAMEHAMEHA (0-1) 8 5 7 11 2 5 — 38

'IOLANI (1-0) 8 8 13 2 2 11 — 44

KAMEHAMEHA — Randy Cummings 6, Kawika Lyons 2, Mitchell Kauweloa 4, Andrew Godinet 2, Pono Hanson 2, Rykin Enos 17, Conrad Scheidt 5. Totals 13 6-8 38.

'IOLANI — Kela Marciel 4, Ryan Dung 8, Case Miyahira 5, Taylor Mounts 0, Liloa Nobriga 11, Lionel Fujioka 0, Berton Wong 3, Bricen McCartney 3, Pablo Warner 10. Totals 15 10-14 44. 3-point goals: Kamehameha 6 (Enos 3, Cummings 2, Scheidt). 'Iolani 4 (Dung, Miyahira, Wong, McCartney).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.