Keone Reyes sank the second of two free-throw attempts with four seconds remaining in overtime last night to lift Kaimuki to a 44-43 victory over Kahuku for the Bulldogs' first O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball championship since 1993.

Kaimuki, ranked No. 8 in The Advertiser's Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 13-2 and will be the OIA's top seed in next week's state tournament. Defending league champ Kahuku, ranked No. 5, fell to 12-2.

As last night's game before a raucous crowd of about 1,100 at McKinley indicated, there is very little separation between the two.

After Reyes' game-winning free throw, Kahuku guard Junior Ale raced upcourt, but dribbled the ball off his foot and out of bounds before nearing the 3-point arc as time expired.

Reyes' free throw came after he leaped in front of an alley-oop inbounds pass to Ale, and Ale was whistled for a foul as the two came down in a struggle for the ball. The Red Raiders had gained possession after Reyes lost the ball near halfcourt.

He got his chance for redemption after the foul on Ale, but his first attempt rimmed out.

"I was feeling nervous," Reyes said. "But I just told myself I have to sink (the second one) for the boys, for Kaimuki."

The Bulldogs had to overcome adversity before the game even started, as starting wing Thomas Pyo — their top 3-point shooter who scored a game-high 15 points in Wednesday's semifinal victory over Kalaheo — was sidelined with a high ankle sprain suffered in that game.

Reyes took Pyo's spot in the lineup and Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant installed a "Triangle and 2" defense to try and slow down Ale, who scored an OIA season-high 38 points in Wednesday's semifinal victory over Campbell.

The strategy worked, as Ale did not get his first field goal attempt until midway through the second period and did not score his first points until he sank two free throws with 2:15 remaining in the half to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 18-15.

Ale finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block after notching 38 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal on Wednesday.

"We've got five players on the floor, and we just needed to execute better and find the open man when Junior got double-teamed," Kahuku coach Nathan James said. "We had a few opportunities inside, but just missed the shot. It was a good game plan on their part, so hat's off to them."

Grant, who grew up in the Date Street area but played on Maryknoll's 1984 state championship team, said he's happy to help return the OIA crown to his neighborhood.

"I know how these kids grew up," Grant said. "I told them, 'This is my hometown, this is where I want to be.' "

KAHUKU (12-2) 8 11 13 11 0 — 43

KAIMUKI (13-2) 12 9 9 13 1 — 44

KAHUKU — Pele Soliai 4, Iona Teriipaia 8, Devin Unga 10, Shiloah Te'o 1, Junior Ale 12, Kevin Unga 6, Manti Te'o 2, Jacob Kahawai'i 0. Totals 16 9-15 43.

KAIMUKI — Daniel Colon 10, Alika Higa 0, Shadrack Ramos-Dias 0, Keone Reyes 18, Shaun Dela Calzada 7, Jarett Shiu 2, Beau Albrechtson 7, Craig Cabudol 0. Totals 15 14-22 44.

3-point goals — Kahuku 2 (Teriipaia 2); Kaimuki none.

KALAHEO 64, CAMPBELL 33

Tyler Caswell scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Mustangs past the Sabers in the third-place game of the OIA Tournament at McKinley.

CAMPBELL (10-3) 9 4 6 14 — 33

KALAHEO (11-4) 11 11 14 28 — 64

CAMPBELL — Raymond Samante 0, Ryan Hayes 5, Matthew Samante 1, Mike Makinano 2, Michael McDonald 2, Jayden Delizo 5, Tristan Sealy 9, Walter Daniels 2, Terrence Tafai 4, Sean Kelley 0, Dexter Vanhook 3. Totals 14 4-9 33.

KALAHEO — Elias David 4, Chris Tumaneng 3, Koa Siliga 9, Donte Price 0, Mana Guerreiro 6, Kahua Hollinger 4, Jacob Anderson 0, Marvin Judd 6, Cheynne Lishman 5, Jeff Whitworth 2, Chase Moses 0, Deaux Burns 0, Tyler Caswell 25. Totals 24 15-23 64.

3-point goals—Campbell 1 (Delizo); Kalaheo 1 (Lishman).

Reported by Lindsey Nakashima

ILH

SAINT LOUIS 80, PUNAHOU 77

Cameron Bayne converted a three-point play with 39 seconds remaining in the third overtime to lift the host Crusaders past the Buffanblu in the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu postseason tournament.

Saint Louis (10-4) thus earns the league's third and final berth in next week's state tournament.

"(Bayne) was struggling the first three quarters, then in the fourth quarter and the three overtimes he scored 17 points," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said.

Jeremiah Masoli had a game-high 35 points for the Crusaders.

A last-second attempt by the Buffanblu's Spencer McLachlin fell short as time expired. Saint Louis joins ILH champion Iolani and runner-up Kamehameha in the state tournament.

PUNAHOU (9-5) 18 20 8 10 6 7 8—77

SAINT LOUIS (10-4) 11 20 15 10 6 7 11—80

PUNAHOU—Trenton Zane 0, Jeremiah Ostrowski 24, Danny Cho 8, Brandon Kapana 6, Kyle Whitford 0, Kimo Makaula 2, Freddie Hart 2, Kameron Steinhoff 13, Ted Hawkins 0, Spencer McLachlin 17, Keli'i Frank 5. Totals 28 19-28 77.

SAINT LOUIS—Ricksson Pacarro 0, Kuli'a Aiona 4, John Quindara 3, Scott Smith 5, Cameron Bayne 15, Joshua Yuen 7, Cole Shidaki 7, Jeremiah Masoli 35, Elliott Purcell 2, Jacob Barit 2. Totals 28 18-34 80.

3-point goals—Punahou 2 (Ostrowski, McLachlin). Saint Louis 6 (Masoli 4, Shidaki 1, Quindara 1).

Reported by Gail Juan

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.