Red Raiders Complete Comeback to Win D1 Championship
Kahuku saved its best for last.
Inoke Lloyd finished a perfectly timed backdoor cut with four seconds remaining, lifting the Red Raiders to a dramatic 40–38 win over defending champion Punahou in the Hawaii Army National Guard/HHSAA Division I Boys Basketball State Championship on Friday night at Bankoh Arena.
Kahuku erased a 13-point halftime deficit and outscored Punahou 31–16 in the second half to secure its first state title since 2017 and fifth overall. The Red Raiders closed the season on a 15-game winning streak and snapped Punahou’s bid for a repeat championship in front of a crowd of 2,438.
Kashus Daley powered the comeback, scoring 21 of his game-high 26 points after halftime, including seven during a decisive late fourth-quarter run. Lloyd added seven points, with six coming after the break, and delivered the championship-clinching layup after Kahuku drew up an unscouted final play out of a timeout.
Punahou briefly tied the game at 38 in the final minute, but Kahuku’s defense held firm on the last possession. The Buffanblu were limited to four field goals in the second half and finished with their lowest scoring output of the season as Kahuku’s grit, defense, and late execution sealed a memorable title run.
Photos: Gavin Yasunari
