There was 2:38 remaining and a chance for Kamehameha, ahead just 45-41, to show it could close out a game against Waiakea, which could be classified as an expert in hammering nails in a coffin.
The private-school Warriors displayed patience, poise and smart-decision making to thwart the two-time defending BIIF champion Warriors 55-44 at the St. Joseph Cardinal Classic on Friday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
It was a huge confidence boost for Kamehameha because Waiakea has been a thorn in the postseason. It’s still the preseason but any win over a BIIF rival counts for something, adding to the knowledge that a job can be done.
Here’s a question Kamehameha knows all too well: What hurts more getting eliminated by blowout or a close loss?
Kamehameha has experienced both over the last two years in the BIIF semifinals.
Last season, the Warriors absolutely knew they had to focus on Waiakea’s Calvin Mattos, but he still scorched them for 24 points and six assists in a 71-58 win. Season over for Kamehameha.
In 2016, Konawaena’s Austin Ewing buried a last-second shot off a turnover in a 44-42 victory over Kamehameha.
Same thing, a year earlier. Season over.
Maybe it’s time to chase away old ghosts under first-year coach Mea Wong, who puts an emphasis on defensive toughness and ball-movement.
“We have two main goals on defense: keep the ball out of the paint and contest every shot. If we do those two things, we’ll be hard to beat,” he said. “I was coached by Nelson Wong, and we want that ILH style of play — ball-movement. But we’ve also got a big man (Nalu Kahapea). We want to emphasize on getting him the ball. Our guards are slowly finding him.”
During the last 2:38, Kamehameha focused on time management, forced Waiakea to chase the ball and waited for a clean shot. That’s how coach Paul Lee’s Warriors play in the postseason when there’s a lead in hand.
Payton Grahovac, Kamehameha’s 3-point specialist, converted from long range and on the next possession knocked in another 3-ball off the glass for a 51-42 lead with 1:33 left. The Warriors outscored their rivals 10-3 down the stretch.
Kahapea posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Ka’upena Yasso added 10 while Isaiah Nakoa-Oness and Grahovac, who had three triples, had nine points each for Kamehameha, which shot 33 percent from the field, including 7 of 25 from 3-point range.
Kiai Apele and Rekky Prudencio scored 10 points each, and Peter Suiaunoa had eight points for Waiakea, which converted 31 percent from the floor, including 2 of 11 from long distance.
Here’s one thing you’ll rarely see: a big guy (6-foot-5 Kahapea) dribbling downcourt guarded by one of the league’s best ball hawks (Apele). The Kamehameha senior not only protected the ball but passed and posted up. He got fed and scored for an 11-5 lead in the first quarter.
Kahapea has also expanded his offensive repertoire, drilling a 3-pointer, a baseline floater and handling the ball on the perimeter, acting as a very tall point guard.
“Nalu and Isaiah are the main guys who work hard. They have not missed a workout, and they’re always in the gym getting better,” Wong said. “Nalu is thinking basketball long term and to do that he knows he has to move away from the basket. He went to Oahu during the summer for individual workouts, and it’s paid off.
“I like that he’s patient. He’s a lot more versatile inside and out. He knows he has to pass out of the post. When the help-side comes, he has to find our shooters.”
Nakoa-Oness, the other senior leader, also has a new role as a 6-foot point guard. He’s a muscular guy so rebounding and running the floor will help Kamehameha’s transition attack.
“Most of his career he played in the post, but looking at last year’s roster I knew we needed him at point guard,” Wong said. “We still have to find ways to get him involved. We have to get him on the wing where he can attack the basket, and he’s such a great passer.”
Next to the senior duo, it’s a wave of youngsters in the starting lineup: freshmen Yasso and Koby Tabuyo-Kahele and sophomore Izayah Chartrand-Penera.
“Their basketball IQ is ahead of their age. They’re very smart players,” Wong said. “Yasso is a fighter. You can compare him to Nalu. He can play inside and post and shoot from outside. Because of their basketball IQ, that’s why I’m starting two freshmen and a sophomore.”
After removing that Waiakea thorn, Kamehameha had a good session in the locker room. Wong’s Warriors showed a lot of persistence. They went 1 of 11 from long range in the first half but sank 6 of 14 in the second half.
“I told them in the locker room that come late January it’s execution that separates a close win from a close loss,” Wong said. “It’s a huge step in the right direction. If we stay the course and work on the things that we know we can fix — setting a screen and coming off it and cutting the court in half on defense — I think we’ll be one of the teams to beat.”