Basketball Honors To Gilmore, Kalaheo

Chaminade-bound Mustang Kaleb Gilmore with his father George. Photo from George Gilmore.

Kaleb Gilmore saved his best effort for his biggest game, scoring a season-high 30 points to help drive Kalaheo across the finish line in its 53-46 win over Iolani in the Division I state championship game last month.

Gilmore was no less a force in the OIA, averaging 19.1 points per game. He also tallied 30 three-pointers for the season. Gilmore’s efforts were rewarded in a big way last week when he was named the league’s East Player of the Year.

Kalaheo finished 31-3 overall this winter, including preseason. It was upset by Farrington in the OIA tournament, eventually finishing third, but rebounded big to beat Maui 77-65, Punahou 64-48, Kahuku 36-35 and Iolani in the title game to earn its third state tournament in four years, and fifth overall in DI.

Gilmore signed with Chaminade in November, becoming the first member of Silversword coach Eric Bovaird’s recruiting class for 2015-16. He previously was a standout at Maryknoll, where he averaged 18.2 points per game in the ILH in the 2013-14 season, helping guide the Spartans to a third-place finish in the DI boys state basketball championships last spring.

Joining Gilmore on the East’s First Team was senior Kupaa Harrison, who averaged 14.3 points per game for the Mustangs. He is a two-time First Team pick. Kalaheo also saw Kekai Smith, Jalen Kuhia Smith, Alec Macleod, Zach Marrotte and Captain Whitlock earn Honorable Mentions.

Kalaheo’s Alika Smith was named Co-Coach of the Year, along with Branden Kawazoe of Kaiser.

• Kahuku, which finished 18-6 overall, had sophomore Samuta Avea and senior Denhym Brooke make the East’s Second Team. Brooke averaged 13.6 ppg, ranking 10th in the OIA. Avea scored at a 10.8 clip to rank 19th.

The Red Raiders won 11 straight games, dating to the front end of their season to the OIA Red title game, where they were defeated by Farrington. Hyrum Harris and Keanu Akina also earned Honorable Mentions.

• Kailua finished 6-5 this winter and had four players earn Honorable Mentions: Christian Mejia, Nainoa Mercado, Kawehe Kohatsu and Noah Ah Yat.

• Earning Honorable Mentions from Castle were David Benevedes, Kevin James Ng, Jeremy McGoldrick and Justin Pang. The Knights finished 3-8 in the OIA.

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