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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, February 24, 2008

Farrington claims Division II crown

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: Farrington boys win Division II title
Video: Farrington wins Division II boys state basketball title

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Farrington players celebrate their 70-68 overtime victory over 'Aiea in the Division II boys state championships at Blaisdell Arena.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Division II

Kalua Noa, Kaiser

Brandon Bautista, Kohala

Obie Woods, 'Aiea

Oscar Carter, Farrington

Josh Chung, 'Aiea

Most Outstanding Player:

Christian Hernandez, Farrington

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Farrington's Allan Silva has the unorthodox coaching style of substituting 5 for 5.

He also has a couple of senior guards whose clutch performances against 'Aiea led the Governors to their first state championship since 1960.

Christian Hernandez sent the game into overtime with a running 3-pointer at the buzzer and Jordan Ibana made the go-ahead layup with 12 seconds left in overtime as Farrington beat 'Aiea, 70-68, in the final of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Boys Basketball Division II State Championships last night at the Blaisdell Arena.

'Aiea's Josh Chung made a free throw with 19.7 seconds left to tie the game at 68-68. He missed the second, and Ibana drove in from the left side and made the go-ahead shot.

"I just saw an opening and I just drived," Ibana said. "If they foul, you can get the free throws."

'Aiea missed a couple of game-tying shots at the end.

"This was our goal to win the state championship, and they did it," Silva said.

There were nine lead changes and seven ties in the four-minute overtime period. Neither team led by more than two points.

Hernandez finished with 27 points, including 17 of 22 on free-throw attempts for Farrington, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up.

In regulation, Chung hit the first of two free throws to put Na Ali'i ahead 55-52 with 5.5 seconds left. He missed the second and Hernandez got the ball.

He dribbled down the left side and hit the running 3-pointer as the buzzer went off.

"I looked at my coach and he told me to shoot it. I was just ready," Hernandez said. "I guess the Lord was with me, so I thank him."

Added Silva: "Before Christian shot the 3-pointer, he looked at me from all the way down the court. I gave him the signal, 'shoot it, shoot it.' He's lucky he got it off. It didn't get blocked. He's no more than 5-foot-3."

Silva uses a platoon system where the units are replaced after making three mistakes. He said it improves team morale.

The starting group last night for Farrington (17-3) was Ibana, Hernandez, Oscar Carter, Steven Kamano and Bryson Tatupu-Leopoldo.

"I have no starting team. I have no second team," Silva said. "I have a first group and a second group. The day before the game, the first group and second group scrimmage each other, whoever wins plays in the game."

Obie Woods scored 26 points, including four 3-pointers, for 'Aiea, the OIA champion and No. 1 seed. The game was a rematch of the OIA White title game, won by 'Aiea.

"I'm proud of my boys," said 'Aiea coach Wyatt Tau. "They accomplished more than we expected. They overachieved."

'Aiea (18-1) took an 11-4 lead after a layup by Chung with 3:03 left in the first period.

Farrington answered with a 10-2 run to take a 14-13 lead with 5:50 left before halftime. Tatupu-Leopoldo scored six points during the surge.

Woods' field goal with four seconds remaining gave 'Aiea a 20-17 lead at halftime.

Both teams struggled on offense in the second period. 'Aiea was 2 of 14 from the field, while Farrington was 1 of 12.

'Aiea had to deal with foul trouble in the first period. Daniel Liilii picked up his second foul with 5:14 left and fellow starter James Buchanan was whistled for his third foul with 3:25 remaining. Both returned midway through the second period.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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