NANAKULI — Yesterday morning, Leilehua senior Art Laurel signed and faxed in his national letter of intent to play football at the University of Hawai'i. Last night, he shifted his focus from the gridiron to the hardcourt to lead Leilehua to a 47-44 win over Kaimuki in the first round of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Division Tournament.

Laurel scored a team-high 15 points and Gary Rodeffer added 14 to lift the Mules (9-4) into tomorrow's 6 p.m. quarterfinal matchup at No. 1 Kalaheo. Kaimuki ended its season at 4-9.

"It was a good win for us," said Leilehua coach Keith Spencer. "We played a young, but very talented team that will be very good for the next couple years."

For the Bulldogs, just one year removed from a remarkable state championship upset of Punahou, the loss concluded a season of shortcomings.

"(Last night) was how we played the entire season. We've been one play too short, one skill too short, one move too short. That's just the way the season was," said Kelly Grant, The Advertiser's reigning Coach of the Year. "(Leilehua's) strength is to get the ball in the middle and they did that."

Laurel, a 6-foot-1 power forward, also had to deal with Kaimuki's top offensive threat in the post, Desmond Tautofi.

"Tautofi, that guy is an animal, check his birth certificate," said a relieved Spencer. "The kid is tough. You can hardly contain that kind of guy, he's so wide."

Tautofi finished with a game-high 18 points to lead the Bulldogs. Chazz Ramos-Dias had 11.

Leilehua built a 13-10 lead after the first quarter and stretched it to 23-17 by the half.

Kaimuki tied it midway through the third quarter on a layup by David Taulung, but Leilehua answered with a 6-0 run and held a 36-30 advantage to start the fourth.

Tautofi backed his way in for a easy basket with 2:09 left to make it 43-41. Laurel and Tautofi both made the back end of two free throws on consecutive possessions.

The Mules went back to Laurel, who spun around a defender and made the bucket to extend it to 46-42.

"The second half they took all their shots under the basket and chances are the team that shoots the most shots under the basket is going to win the game," said Grant.

The Bulldogs had one last chance after Ryan Kakitani sank two free throws with 30 seconds left to make it 46-44. Rodeffer made the front end of one-and-one, but missed the second and Kaimuki grabbed the rebound.

Following a timeout with 0.5 seconds left, Rodeffer intercepted the inbounds pass to seal the win.

KAIMUKI (4-9) 10 7 13 14 — 44

LEILEHUA (9-4) 12 9 15 11 — 47

KAIMUKI —Gabriel Stietzel 0, Chezz Ramos-Dias 11, Preacher Namdrik 0, Duke Okudara 2, Ryan Kakitani 2, Kelly Tobin 0, Clay Monteho 1, Desmond Tautofi 18, David Taulung 6, Chauncey Nicola 4, Scott Nguyen 0, Tyson Davis 0. Totals 17 9-13 44.

LEILEHUA — Dillon Pau'u 0, Hoku Kama 2, Kolwin Dixon 7, Jamel Hill 0, Andrew Manley 0, Bryann Hollis 9, Gary Rodeffer 14, James Samuel 0, Art Laurel 15, Tavana Alailima 0, Nathan Hall 0, Bronson Pausa 0. Totals 20 7-14 47.

3-point field goals — Kaimuki 1 (Ramos-Dias).

MOANALUA 62, RADFORD 35

Stevie Austin scored 13 points, Josh Kure added 11 and host Na Menehune (9-4) rolled to a 32-16 halftime lead and were never threatened in beating the Rams (3-10).

RADFORD (3-10) 8 8 9 10 — 35

MOANALUA (9-4) 14 18 13 17 — 62

RADFORD — Andre Brown 2, Jared Victorino 5, Billy Johnson 0, Jon Combis 0, Derrell Lee 0, Tony Ruld 5, Jared Brown 6, Aldrin Valdez 0, Quentin Kimura 6, Shawn Putman 3, Omar Caldwell 6, Brad Osborne 2, Marcus Malepai 0. Totals 14 5-8 35.

MOANALUA — Josiah Kauhola 7, Austin Miranda 0, Randy Starks 6, Shane Aquino 2, Stevie Austin 13, Aaron Davis 0, Josh Kure 11, Jordan Ousco 1, Marcus Monroe 7, Ryan Hua 9, Shawn Richey 2, Karl Ko 0, Richard Villasenor 0, Maurice Allen 4. Totals 24 9-20 62. 3-point goals: Radford 2 (Ruld, Victorino). Moanalua 5 (Austin 2, Kure 2, Monroe).

Reported by Greg Tacon

MILILANI 58, CASTLE 48

Scott Burns scored 10 points and the host Trojans (10-3), trailing 25-24 at halftime, used a 17-9 third quarter to take the lead en route to beating the Knights (3-10).

CASTLE (3-10) 12 13 9 14 — 48

MILILANI (10-3) 4 20 17 17 — 58

CASTLE — Michael Santos 6, Russle Ige 0, Bronson Kekahuna 3, Nick Tuamoheloa 5, Isaac Lum 0, Marcus Ofoia 0, Isaiah Tilton 14, Layne Kihara 0, Tusi Noa 0, Vernon Mitchel 10, KJ Aipia 6, Malani Lum 2, Shayne Carvalho 2, Nick Cabunoc 0. Totals 19 4-8 48.

MILILANI — Kekoa Paglinawan 0, Devin Hall 0, Scott Burns 10, Cody Kilthau 7, Curtis Murakami 6, Moshi Mabry 0, Nehoa Akina 8, RJ Griffin 0, Devon Castellano 0, Aaron Lenchanko 7, Warren Duke 4, Nick DeMusis 2, Reid Pangelinan 6, Bo Keto 0, Jon Keen 8. Totals 23 8-13 58. 3-point goals: Castle 6 (Kekahuna, Tuamoheloa, Tilton 4). Mililani 4 (Kilthau, Akina 2, Lenchanko).

Reported by Chrislyn Andres

KAILUA 44, PEARL CITY 36

Billy Oden scored 14 points, and the Surfriders (5-8) took a 22-13 halftime lead and made 16 of 32 free throws to turn back the Chargers (4-9).

PEARL CITY (4-9) 5 8 13 10 — 36

KAILUA (5-8) 10 12 10 12 — 44

PEARL CITY — Johnson Chao 6, Skye Kaapuni 6, Allen Agni 1, Troy Antoque 2, Kellan Oshiro 0, Carlo Rarangol 6, Kawika Borden 15. Totals 16 4-16 36.

KAILUA — Jackie Uemoto 9, Alan Ilae 0, Kenny Ellis 0, Mike Flynn 8, Bubu Naki 4, Billy Oden 14, Kaimi Sarkissian 7, Tesi Fisilau 0, Chauncy Makainai 2. Totals 12 16-32 44. 3-point goals: Kailua 4 (Oden 3, Flynn).

Reported by Amanda Harrison

OIA GIRLS RED

FARRINGTON 58, PEARL CITY 37

Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo scored 16 points, Natalie Mata added 14 and the host Governors (10-3) outscored the Chargers (4-8) 28-15 in the second and third quarters to pull away in the first round of the OIA Red Division girls tournament.

PEARL CITY (4-9) 5 7 8 17 — 37

FARRINGTON (10-3) 9 16 12 21 — 58

PEARL CITY — Ariel Riveria 0, Glacen Florita 0, Charmagne Monis 0, Kasie Kunishima 4, Shaneice Gabriel-Yomes 2, Ariel Komomua 10, Seanelle Esperanza 0, Markeshia Manning 2, Kalei Adams 8, Emme Cabrejos 0, Alana Kaili 0, Jordan Ahakuelo 3, Patricia Langi 1, Kaiona Auyong 7. Totals 14 7-16 37.

FARRINGTON— Honour Stone 2, Natalie Mata 14, Nicole Argel 0, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 16, Aisha Gaea 0, Janell Nance 4, Diana Prescott 5, Valerie Lesu 9, Sofia Folaunahina 2, Lucina Otineru 6. Totals 17 19-33 58. 3-point goals: Pearl City 2 (Ahakuela, Auyong). Farrington 5 (Mata 3, Tatupu-Leopoldo 2).

Reported by Donna Tatupu

MILILANI 57, KALAHEO 35

Sophie Chang scored 18 points and the host Trojans (7-6) took a 14-6 first-quarter lead and never looked back in beating the Mustangs (2-11).

KALAHEO (2-11) 6 11 12 6 — 35

MILILANI (7-6) 14 17 11 15 — 57

KALAHEO — Nicole Cobb 6, Kamele Perry 1, Caira Pires 12, Hoku Malama-Custer 3, Angela Wozniak 2, Kaua Cale 9, Rachel Kahlbaum 0, Tiffany Harada 2. Totals 12 11-21 35.

MILILANI — Chelsea Basilio 2, Chelsea Korodan 8, Baleima Pangorand 0, Kellise Dela Cruz 0, Glenelle Nitta 2, Joleen Realin 14, Sophie Chang 18, Pomai Grube-Hose 0, Meilin Akiu 8, Celina Garcia 0, Geraldine Solia 0, Abby McKoy 1, Amber Ogata 3, Khyla Alcantra 1. Totals 19 16-27 57. 3-point goals: Mililani 3 (Ogata, Realin, Chang).

Reported by Jenn Cadiz

MOANALUA 32, KAPOLEI 24

Qwineysha Wheeler scored 13 points and host Na Menehune (7-6) made their 13-4 first-quarter lead hold up in a victory over the Hurricanes (5-8).

KAPOLEI (5-8) 4 4 9 7 — 24

MOANALUA (7-6) 13 4 7 8 — 32

KAPOLEI — Loleina Lapina 0, Ashley Dela Cruz 4, Leilani Tuami-Fifita 10, Charlei Jackson 0, Victoria Afoa 0, Danniel Tapat 4, Cherece Beyer 2, Rhilee Soriano 0, Jessica Cone 0, Carmen Ialau 0, Nicole Fualaoa 4. Totals 11 2-4 24.

MOANALUA — A.J. Verdida 2, Michelle Hardy 5, Amanda Selvey 0, Janelle Uncangco 0, Qwineysha Wheeler 13, Britni Ronolo 9, Indah Widyakusuma 1, Justine Aguas 0, Joanna Nicolas 2. Totals 12 8-19 32. 3-point goals: none

Reported by Moanalua Athletics

KAHUKU 55, NANAKULI 35

The Red Raiders (5-8) beat the host Golden Hawks (6-7). Details and statistics were not available.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.