Mid-Pacific Institute junior Marcus Holyfield has been one of the Interscholastic League Honolulu's top basketball players the past two years, but has flown somewhat under the radar, overshadowed by others from more high-profile programs.

Last Saturday, however, Holyfield and his Owls teammates soared into the spotlight as he scored a career-high 34 points to help MPI stun Punahou — The Advertiser's No. 1-ranked team in the state at the time — 66-48.

It was the Owls' first victory over the Buffanblu in recent memory.

"It feels really great," said Holyfield, a 6-foot-2 guard. "It feels really good to have everybody come together the way we did."

MPI coach Kevin O'Connell said the Owls' teamwork was so good that night, he didn't even realize Holyfield finished with 34 points.

"He did it in the flow of the game," O'Connell said. "We played so well as a team, and I guess he was just the right person at the right time. But he did do a great job on the boards, and he made nine free throws in the fourth quarter alone."

O'Connell said Holyfield was matched up with Punahou's leading scorer, Kameron Steinhoff, on defense. Earlier in the week, Holyfield scored 18 points in a 43-40 overtime loss to Maryknoll and 18 in a 52-39 victory over Damien, Mid-Pacific's first league victory after six straight losses to open the season.

"Marcus is a complete player: he can shoot, drive to the basket, play defense and rebound," O'Connell said. "Ever since the 'Iolani game (Jan. 19), he looks more confident and this past week he really hit his stride. He works hard and is a good kid, he's a gem. As his coach, I'm biased, but when I look at Marcus, I see the best player in the state."

For his part, Holyfield said teamwork — not his scoring, was the key to Saturday's victory.

"It made a big difference that we played together as a team," Holyfield said. "It wasn't just me; I really didn't know I scored that much. We all were taking good shots, we had a lot of open shots. We all worked together, staying positive on the court."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.