The Punahou Buffanblu defeated Poway 59-52 on Monday to capture the Under Armour Holiday Classic Governor’s Division championship.
Punahou won four games in five days, getting a boost from fellow islanders in the title matchup.
“Hilo helped us so much,” assistant coach Robert Shklov said, referring to the Hilo High squad that played in the same tourney, different division.
“They cheered so hard for us. The boys really appreciated it. We have to send them a care package,” Shklov said. “Huge assist. They totally were louder than the 50 or so Poway students. And it felt like Poway went 10 percent from the free-throw line. They were shook.”
Punahou’s Justin “J.B.” Kam was named the division’s most valuable player. The Buffanblu (15-0), ranked No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser boys basketball Top 10, defeated Tesoro (Calif.) 66-64, Westlake (Texas) 50-33 and division host Carlsbad (Calif.) 68-54 to reach the final.
Hilo went 0-4 in the Mayor’s Division, though Jalen Carvalho had another lights-out game. Carvalho scored 42 points in a loss to Wasilla (Alaska) on Saturday. Last week, he had 47 points in a tourney title win over Waiakea.
Kalani was also on the continent. The Falcons went 1-3 in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Orange Holiday Classic.
Below, photos from the Punahou basketball team during the trip to California.
The Hilo basketball team, also playing in the Holiday Classic, gave all their support to Punahou during the championship game. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team)Justin “J.B.” Kam was named the division’s MVP. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team)Leaving Honolulu. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Post-game meal time after a tourney-opening win over Tesoro. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) In-and-Out. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) In-and-Out. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Getting through foggy weather for a meal at Denny’s. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) John Wooden statue at Pauley Pavilion. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Pauley Pavilion, home of the UCLA Bruins. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) UCLA. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Los Angeles Clippers practice facility. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Clippers practice facility. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Clippers practice facility. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) More Clippers facility. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Staples Center. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Staples Center. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Staples Center. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar statue. (Photo courtesy of Punahou basketball team)
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