PUKALANI, Maui — The Kaahumanu Hou boys basketball team was in unfamiliar territory Thursday night in the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Tournament at King Kekaulike High School.

The Ali'i Lions had never won five MIL games in a season before and had never defeated a No. 1 seed in any MIL tournament before. But, behind a balanced attack that featured three players scoring in double figures, Ka'ahumanu Hou knocked off top-seeded Lana'i 57-45 to advance to today's Division II final against Moloka'i (9-2).

''Well, it was a great win for the kids and the school, especially for the school,'' Ali'i Lions head coach Glenn Foo Sum said to The Maui News. ''This will go a long way for school spirit. The kids took it to another level. It is just a privilege to coach them.''

Ka'ahumanu Hou (5-7) was led by Nathan Shimodoi's 13 points. Byung Jeoung and Rory Souza added 12 points apiece.

Sixteen of the 21 fouls called against Lanai came in the second half. Ka'ahumanu Hou shot 24 free throws to Lanai's 23, but the Ali'i Lions made 17 while the Pine Lads made 10.

The Ali'i Lions led 27-17 at halftime, and then held Lana'i (9-2) to one point in the third quarter. The Pine Lads tried to rally with 27 points in the fourth quarter, but Ka'ahumanu Hou held them off, scoring 22 points.

''We have just been getting better and better all season and now we are peaking at the right time and right place,'' Foo Sum said. ''Lana'i is a quality team and they probably have a little more talent than we do, but our kids leave it all out there. They never quit, whether it is the last minute, last second — they have big heart.''

Dustin Donato led Lana'i with 15 points, and Elmer Agtarap added 10.

The Pine Lads, who already secured a state tournament berth by winning the regular-season championship, will play the winner of today's game between the Farmers and Ali'i Lions for the overall MIL title. That game is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at King Kekaulike's gym.

KA'AHUMANU HOU (57)

Austin Davis 0 0-0 0, Zack Wright 0 0-0 0, Sebastian Gomez 3 1-2 8, Pono Tanka-Sanders 0 2-2 2, Byung Jeoung 5 1-2 12, Nathan Shimodoi 3 7-10 13, Johnny Bailey 1 0-0 2, Aaron Wright 3 2-2 8, Rory Souza 4 4-6 12. Totals 19 17-24 57.

LANA'I (45)

Philip Bolo 3 0-0 8, Russell Lamay 2 0-1 4, Elmer Agtarap 3 4-5 10, William Haban 0 1-4 1, Matthew Tan 0 0-0 0, Lorenz Valdez 0 0-0 0, Bryan Etrata 1 0-0 2, Neil Maltezo 1 0-0 2, Dustin Donato 5 4-6 15, Claighton Haban 0 0-2 0. Totals 16 10-23 45.

Ka'ahumanu Hou 12 15 8 22—57

Lana'i 12 5 1 27—45

3-Point Goals—Ka'ahumanu Hou 2 (Gomez, Jeoung), Lana'i 3 (Bolo 2, Donato).

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