Composed and confident for his age, Micah Christenson was the deciding factor.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore helped the Warriors capture their first state title since 1992 on Saturday night when Kamehameha defeated Kahuku, 47-45, in the championship game of the Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Basketball State Championships.

Throughout the tournament, the agile forward knocked down shots from various spots, creating his own shots, slashing to the basket and knocking down 3-pointers. He had 11 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the championship game. One night earlier, he finished with 26 points in a triple-overtime win over Kaimuki. But it was his mental toughness and confidence that allowed him to be a key player the entire season.

"He's the most self-confident player I've coached in my six years in his own abilities," Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "He emulates his confidence."

Against Kaimuki, his three-point play gave the Warriors the lead for good at the beginning of the third overtime. He shot 7 of 14 from the field and was 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. In the championship game, he rebounded a Kahuku miss and fed teammate Chaz Bajet for a layup that tied the game at 40 and later made a key free throw with 15.1 seconds left.

"It means everything to me," said Christenson, who also plays volleyball for Kamehameha. "Getting a state champion my sophomore year is amazing. I'm looking forward to two more in my junior and senior year."

Added Nakanishi: "We try to find different ways to get him the ball to score. Sometimes, he just finds his own way to score. Get him the ball and he'll score."

With most of the team returning from last year, Christenson was the difference for the Warriors this year. He got a glimpse of the squad when he was promoted to the varsity team from the junior varsity blue team at the end of last season.

"That prepared me for this year and I felt comfortable competing against the best players in practice everyday," Christenson said.

This year was his first full season with the Warriors and he provided a second scoring threat to senior Pi'i Minns.

"Everyone is important, but Micah, there's something special about Micah," said Minns, who scored 20 points in the championship game and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. "He's so big for a sophomore ... (on) offense, he's just got it all.

"We both feed off of each other. I create for him and he creates for me."

Nakanishi said Christenson's parents helped instill in him that level of confidence. Both come from athletic backgrounds and his grandfather was the late Harry "Clown" Kahuanui. Kahuanui, a member of the University of Hawai'i's Circle of Honor, was the first from the school to compete in the East-West Shrine Game in 1949, the premier college all-star game at the time.

"He has a great future ahead of him at this school," Minns said. "He'll be just fine with whatever sport he does, volleyball or basketball. He's a pure shooter."