Punahou left no doubt who rules the pool in ILH water polo this year.
The Buffanblu exploded for 15 goals while shutting out Iolani in the league championship on Saturday at Kamehameha.
Zachary Lietzke led the way for the Buffanblu with six goals, followed by state swimming champion Aukai Lileikis with three and Jason Hiermath with two. Kekoa Viera, Yuki Sato, Ethan Walter and Matthew Gaughan each contributed one goal.
The Buffanblu were up 10-0 by halftime against the Raiders.
Punahou also won the regular season championship, finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record. The Buffanblu didn’t give up more than four goals in a match all season and scored in double figures in every game except the season opener against Kamehameha on Sept. 4. Punahou won that one 7-1.
This is Punahou’s 37th ILH title and first since 2012. Water Polo became an official ILH sport in 1966 but does not compete for a state championship.
Iolani, which won the title last year, finishes 9-5 this season with four of those losses coming to the Buffanblu.
Iolani made it to the tournament title match by downing Kamehameha 8-6.
The Warriors beat Le Jardin 7-5 in the tournament’s consolation game behind two goals each from Hoanu Au and Kealaula Haverly.
Punahou also won the Division II title with a 12-4 win over Le Jardin.
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