In a storybook finish to an up-and-down season, Kaimuki won its first boys basketball state championship since 1993 last night by overpowering Punahou, 61-53, before 6,516 screaming fans at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Bulldogs, who lost five games in January including a shocking upset to 3-9 Roosevelt, finished the regular and post-season at 14-5 by surprisingly building a 10-point fourth-quarter lead over the No. 1-seeded Buffanblu (13-2) despite All-State forward Keone Reyes sitting on the bench with four fouls.

"I knew we could do it, because it took the whole team playing as one," said Reyes, who finished with a game-high 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds despite sitting out a total of 13 minutes. "I wasn't worried, because we have the best back-ups. Desmond (Tautofi) and Chauncey (Nicola), they stepped up and helped the team."

Kaimuki also had 6-foot-4 senior forward Beau Albrechtson, who finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds while playing all 32 minutes. After Reyes sank two free throws to put the Bulldogs up, 38-35, with 1:17 remaining in the third period, he picked up his fourth foul 25 seconds later and was sent to the bench.

But Albrechtson started the fourth quarter with two free throws, then converted an alley-oop pass from fellow post Maka Nahinu. Tautofi then scored on a driving layup to cap an 8-0 run and give Kaimuki a 44-35 lead with 4:50 left.

Reyes then returned 40 seconds later and scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds to help the Bulldogs hold off a late Punahou comeback attempt.

"They are just so tough inside," Buffanblu coach Dan Hale said. "They've been doing it the whole season, and they did it again tonight."

Kaimuki also played solid team defense behind a diamond-and-one scheme designed to contain three-time All-State point guard Miah Ostrowski, who finished with 14 points but only four in the second half.

Bulldogs point guard Brandon Madamba was assigned to stick with Ostrowski, with the other four players playing a "help" zone.

"In the first half, Brandon was playing a little too soft and Miah was able to get some shots," Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant said. "But in the second half, I told him to make him drive, because at least then he'll have four guys behind him."

By the time Ostrowski fouled out with 1:13 remaining, the Bulldogs led 55-44.

Albrechtson, one of three key returnees from last year's state runner-up team that lost to 'Iolani, 54-41, in the title game, said last night's victory washed away all the team's past troubles.

"Everybody stepped it up," Albrechtson said. "Our team is 15 strong — it's not just me, Keone and Daniel (Colon). It feels damned good. We're leaving Kaimuki with a bang."

KALAHEO 82, KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I 71

Cheynne Lishman scored 17 points as the Mustangs (15-4) defeated the Warriors (16-4) in the third-place game. Kelii Kimi had 20 points for Kamehameha-Hawai'i.

'IOLANI 77, MOANALUA 57

Liloa Nobriga scored 17 points, Ryan Dung 13 and Matt Smith 10 to lead the Raiders (13-3) past Na Menehune (13-7) in the fifth-place game.

HONOKA'A 47, CAMPBELL 43

Keala Freitas scored 10 points and Komakana Fernandez and Kapanaia Carvalho added nine apiece and the Dragons (16-3) beat the Sabers (11-7) in the consolation title game.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.