With a state berth on the line, the Kaiser girls basketball team turned to senior leadership to help extend its season.

Senior Chelsy Okuma scored 18 and Keely Bitanga added 16 as the Cougars defeated Leilehua, 45-37, in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division Tournament game last night at Leilehua High School.

The Cougars were 23-of-32 on free throws, and all but six were attempted by Okuma and Bitanga.

"I told them all close games come down to free throws," Kaiser coach Simon Bitanga said. "And I needed my seniors to handle the ball."

Kaiser (11-5), which qualified as the third and final OIA team for the state tournament, plays Kaimuki (12-3) tonight to determine who plays Kahuku (13-1) tomorrow in the double-elimination OIA Tournament. All three teams have qualified for next week's state tournament.

"It motivated me a lot," said Okuma, a multi-sport athlete who played in the state soccer tournament with the Cougars two weeks ago. "I've never been to states for basketball. I'm super excited."

Leilehua emerged with a 6-4 lead after the first period behind four points from Mariyah Tamaalemalo. All four of Kaiser's points came on free throws by Okuma.

"I think we started off not so good, but we finished strong, which is the main thing," she said. "I think we got pumped up as the game went on."

The Mules (8-6) raced ahead to a 14-9 lead early in the second quarter but the Cougars ran off seven straight points led by four free throws by Bitanga to take a 16-14 lead. Leilehua's Ashley Gonzales and Chelsey Fontes scored on back-to-back baskets to put the Mules up by a basket but a 3-pointer by Keely Bitanga gave the Cougars a 19-18 halftime advantage.

The Cougars went on a 7-1 run at the tail end of the third quarter to take a 30-23 advantage, but a 3-pointer by Patricia Lindo made it 30-26 at the end of the quarter.

Kaiser free throws in the fourth quarter was the difference-maker, as the Cougars were 9-of-16 and able to build a 10-point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining.

"Leilehua is a good team," coach Bitanga said. "I knew both sides were going to come out prepared. It was very big. I explained to them about the state tournament. I'm sure the Leilehua coach explained it to them. It was a very intense week of practices."

Leilehua coach Wes Ohori said Kaiser capitalized on the Mules' mistakes.

"They hit their free throws, and that was the game right there," he said.

Mariyah Tamaalemalo led the Mules with 14 points.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.

LEILEHUA (8-6) 6 12 8 11 — 37

KAISER (11-5) 4 15 11 15 — 45

LEILEHUA — Ashley Gonzales 9, Chelsey Fontes 2, Patricia Lindo 3, Alaina Johnson 4, Starr Hayashida 0, Vanessa Bocobo 0, Keke Moala 0, Michelle Fletcher 3, Mariyah Tamaalemalo 14, Brittany Taufui , Carline Wilson 0, Alondra Hooks 2. Totals 13 9-16 37.

KAISER — Krysta Yasui 3, Haley Durham 8, Lijah Bowerman 0, Chelsy Okuma 18, Keely Bitanga 14, Bailey Miller 0, Daryn Vorderbruegge 0, Shelby Pa 2. Totals 10 23-34 45.

3-point goals: Leilehua 2 (Gonzales, Lindo). Kaiser 2 (Okuma, Bitanga).

Reported by Kristie Sasamura

OIA GIRLS RED

NO. 3 FARRINGTON 52, KAILUA 26

Kirsten Liana scored 15 points and the Governors used a 23-8 third period to beat the Surfriders at McKinley.

Tawny Kiko scored eight points to lead Kailua.

Farrington will play Kalani tonight at approximately 7 p.m. at McKinley.

KAILUA (8-9) 4 7 8 7 — 26

FARRINGTON (15-1) 9 8 23 12 — 52

KAILUA — Jayna Hanawahine 2, Tawny Kiko 8, Sola Williams 1, Teuila Afele 0, Zsalei Kamaka 6, Ka'u Kohatsu 2, Alysha Franco 1, Anu Ah Yun 6, Malia Pearson 0. Totals 7 12-21 26.

FARRINGTON— Angie Argel 4, Natalie Mata 7, Lucky Crichton 0, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 6, Precious Maave 0, Macilee Moi 0, Kirsten Liana 15, Sofia Folaumahina 4, Aisha Gaea 0, Lusina Otineru 8, Janelle Nance 8, Jasmine Funtanilla 0. Totals 19 11-19 52.

3-point goals: Kailua none. Farrington 3 (Argel, Mata, Tatupu-Leopoldo).

Reported by Melvyne Mitsui

MOANALUA 35, 'AIEA 32

Joanna Nicolas scored 11 points to help visiting Na Menehune beat the Na Ali'i to clinch fifth place in the tournament.

MOANALUA (6-11) 11 2 14 8 — 35

'AIEA (11-5) 7 2 12 11 — 32

MOANALUA — Brittney Calucag 0, Briana Dacoscos 0, Kiley Lau 2, Joanna Nicolas 11, Melanie Smith 0, Jaiden Rego 8, Hoku Dela Cruz 7, A.J. Verdida 4, Justine Aguas 3. Totals 13 7-10 35.

'AIEA — Celeste Fong 0, Natasha Helsham 9, Natasha Fong 4, Crystal Tagudin 5, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 2, Emily Tausaga 2, Carol Sio 9, Kaui Kuehu 1. Totals 11 9-15 32.

3-point goals: Moanalua 2 (Nicolas, Dela Cruz). 'Aiea 1 (Tagudin).

Reported by Melvyne Mitsui