Josh Chung scored a game-high 21 points — 13 in the first quarter — to lead No. 9 'Aiea to a 64-53 win over McKinley in the semifinals of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Boys White Conference Tournament yesterday.

An afternoon crowd of about 200 at Farrington watched Na Ali'i (15-0) advance to tomorrow's championship game against Farrington, 8 p.m. at McKinley. OC16 will carry the game live statewide. Both teams have qualified for next week's Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA State Tournament.

The Tigers (11-4), the defending state Division II champions, meet Kaiser tomorrow for the OIA's final guaranteed state berth. The loser will have to qualify through a play-in game against the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's fourth-place team.

"Our guys played a hell of a game," said 'Aiea coach Wyatt Tau, who will be looking for his second straight OIA title. "Both teams came to play. It's just too bad someone had to lose, but I'm glad it's not us."

Chung, who scored the first eight Na Ali'i points, closed out the first quarter on a three-point play after he was fouled on a fastbreak layup. 'Aiea led 20-9 after the first quarter.

"'Aiea's the team to beat in the Division II state tournament," said McKinley coach Bob Morikuni. "We had to play a perfect game to beat them and we didn't do that."

McKinley trailed 30-19 at halftime, but came out of the intermission with a 5-0 run to inch back to seven points. Chung answered with a 3-pointer with 5:36 left in the third and Obie Woods followed with a pair of free throws on 'Aiea's next possession to extend the lead back to 11.

"We knew we had to keep working hard," said Chung. "We knew McKinley wanted to come back and win, of course."

Na Ali'i got their largest lead after Keenan Naeole drained a 3-pointer with 4:05 left in the game to make it 64-45.

Tana Woodard led McKinley with 14 points.

"Not to be cocky and all, but I think we can take it," said Chung. "I really have a lot of confidence in us."

MCKINLEY (11-4) 9 10 15 19 — 53

'AIEA (15-0) 20 10 19 15 — 64

MCKINLEY — Ricardo Siasoco 0, Julius Borje 0, Kaleo Ponce 3, Rio Kwon 2, Jason Sabado 0, JT Thabiti 8, Moku Spencer 6, Earvin Sione 8, Tavita Woodard 5, Jordan Macalma 2, Marshall Miyasaka 2, Tana Woodard 14, Tae Lee 3. Totals 21 11-18 51.

'AIEA — Kory Naeole 3, Keaton Miyashiro 0, Keenan Naeole 3, Braxton Fukutomi 0, Steven O'Meally 0, Darryl Fong 0, Jarred McKee 0, Jarret Vea 2, Josh Chung 21, David Seva'aetasi 0, Daniel Li'ili'i 6, James Buchanan 9, Api Foumai 0, Aldodius Colquitt 4, Chris Santos 0, Latupou Faumuina 0, Obie Woods 9, Zack Hannemann 4, Michael Hogan 0, Ty Lovell 0. Totals 25 8-12 64.

3-point field goals — 'Aiea 6 (Chung 2, Ko. Naeole, Ke. Naeole, Buchanan, Woods).

FARRINGTON 57, KAISER 42: Christian Hernandez scored 12 points to lead the Governors (13-2) over the Cougars (10-5). Kalua Noa led all scorers with 16 points for Kaiser.

KAISER (10-5) 3 10 8 21 — 42

FARRINGTON (13-2) 14 16 10 17 — 57

KAISER — Jaymes Kawashima 2, Landon Tamanaha 9, Jonathan Lau 0, Mychael Nagata 2, Kalua Noa 16, Ryan Chong 2, Bronson McMoore 2, Brannon Wong 2, Jeffrey Gordan 0, Devin Wolfe 0, Keola Hunt 0, Patrick Twohy 0, Kainoa Pa 0, Zachary Wong 0, Salele Aliifua 7. Totals 16 6-10 42.

FARRINGTON — Jordan Ibana 3, Christian Hernandez 12, Dio Labayog 0, Oscar Carter 4, Steven Kamano 8, Bryson Tatupu-Leopoldo 7, Dayton Kealoha 7, Michael Carter 2, Charles Rocha 1, Jayfrey Hernandez 2, Albert Porter 2, Deo Domingo 0, Joshua Wallace 3, Ephraim Vita 0, Lance Williams 2, Andre Pettis 0, Ronald Williams 4. Totals 21 12-18 57.

3-point goals: Kaiser 4 (Tamanaha 3, Noa). Farrington 3 (C. Hernandez 2, Kealoha).

Reported by Larry Santiago

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.