Iolani won its sixth consecutive Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball championship last night by rallying past Kamehameha, 43-32, before an energetic capacity crowd of about 1,300 at Mid-Pacific Gym.

The four-time defending state champion Raiders, ranked No. 1 in The Advertiser's Top 10 poll of coaches and media, finished 11-2 in an ultra-competitive ILH season. They will be the league's top seed in next week's state tournament and will receive a first-round bye.

The No. 2-ranked Warriors (10-3) lost their third straight game and will begin state tournament play Tuesday. They were trying to win their first ILH title since 1992.

"We knew coming into this season that every game would be hard-fought in this league," said Iolani senior Kawika Shoji, who scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds, blocked two shots and made a steal last night. "We just meshed as a team as the season went along, and we had good chemistry. All our hard work paid off."

Last night's game typified the tightness of the title race, which saw the teams tied for first place after last Friday's regular-season finale to force a winner-take-all playoff. The Raiders led 23-22 after three periods, then started the final quarter with a 9-0 run.

Kamehameha broke the drought with Jacob Ho's two free throws, but by that time there were only two minutes remaining. The Warriors did not get a field goal again until Andrew Godinet's 3-pointer with 40 seconds left made it 40-29. Liloa Nobriga, Shoji and Vinny Nip each sank a free throw to seal the victory.

Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi cited Iolani's tight defense and his team's poor shooting for the Warriors' offensive woes in the fourth period.

"It probably was a combination of both," Nakanishi said. "We were down by 12 to them (earlier this season) and came back, so we knew we could still do it, but we didn't execute on key possessions and Iolani plays great defense. Coach (Mark) Mugiishi did a great job getting them ready and they just played better than we did. That's why they're ILH champs."

The Raiders won despite starting center Jon Takamura watching from the sidelines in street clothes. He was suffering from the effects of food poisoning contracted during a football recruiting trip earlier this week.

"Replacing him is difficult because even though he may not score a lot, he rebounds, plays great defense and is our 'tough guy' in the post," Mugiishi said. "He's usually the glue that holds our defense together. Without him, we had to go to a smaller, quicker lineup and we had to move a lot of people around in a very short time. But the team did the job tonight."

Nip said the Raiders knew that without Takamura, others would have to step up and help with the rebounding.

"We just had to adjust and everybody had to work harder, especially on the boards," Nip said. "But I think we did a good job with that and limited their second opportunities."

As with the teams' first two meetings this season, relentless, intense defense was the theme.

Iolani led 7-6 after one period and 14-11 at the half as both teams were forced to make numerous passes on every possession before looking for rare shot opportunities.

"Kamehameha is well-coached and they're very athletic, so we knew it was going to be a battle," Shoji said. "We figured it was going to be another low-scoring game. The key was just to be patient."

That could have been the key to the Raiders' entire ILH season. They saw a 61-game league winning streak snapped by the Warriors in the first round and then lost to Punahou.

Iolani has since won five straight and now will shoot for a record fifth straight state title.

"This is very satisfying, because we started the year not playing very well," Mugiishi said. "For us to even be in a position to win the championship and then to actually do it, that's a credit to the players. They persevered."

Nip, in his fourth year on the varsity, said they are not done yet.

"This feels great to win the ILH again, especially because we overcame a lot this year as a team," Nip said. "But it isn't over yet. We want to win it all."

IOLANI (11-2) 7 7 9 20—43

KAMEHAMEHA (10-3) 6 5 9 12—32

IOLANI—Kela Marciel 0, Vinny Nip 7, Barry Kang 2, Ryan Dung 5, Case Miyahira 3, Taylor Mounts 0, Kekai Kealoha 3, Kawika Shoji 10, Berton Wong 0, Brandon Ball 0, Liloa Nobriga 6, Blayne Yama 0, Wally Marciel 7, Kiran Kepo'o 0. Totals 10 21-29 43.

KAMEHAMEHA—Randy Cummings 0, Jesse Moniz 4, Brandon Ahlo 0, Andrew Godinet 10, Mitchell Kauweloa 2, Jacob Ho 6, Pono Hanson 0, Rykin Enos 8, Conrad Scheidt 0, Jay Kauka 0, Kea Smith 2, Treston Rego 0, Kanoa Mokiao 0. Totals 11 7-11 32.

3-point goals—Iolani 2 (Miyahira, Dung). Kamehameha 3 (Godinet 2, Enos 1).

ILH POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT

PUNAHOU 49, MARYKNOLL 43

Spencer McLachlin scored 14 points and Miah Ostrowski added 12 as the Buffanblu held off the visiting Spartans to advance to play Saint Louis tonight for the league's final state tournament berth.

Tyler Tsukazaki scored a game-high 23 points to lead Maryknoll.

Punahou led 21-20 at the half and stretched it to 36-30 after three periods.

MARYKNOLL (5-9) 12 8 10 13—43

PUNAHOU (9-4) 14 7 15 13—49

MARYKNOLL — Tyler Tsukazaki 23, Chris Hsia 3, Tommy Nguyen 1, Travis Liu 0, Zachary Misajon 2, Jordan Ho-Ching 6, Richard Herring 8, Ross Lum 0. Totals 14 11-17 43.

PUNAHOU — Trenton Zane 2, Miah Ostrowski 12, Daniel Cho 4, Brandon Kapana 2, Kyle Whitford 0, Kimo Makaula 2, Freddie Hart 0, Kameron Steinhoff 5, Ted Hawkins 0, Spencer McLachlin 14, Keali'i Frank 8. Totals 17 12-21 49. 3-point goals—Maryknoll 4 (Tsukazaki 2, Hsia 1, Herring 1). Punahou 3 (Ostrowski 2, McLachlin 1).

Reported by Kenneth Chew

SAINT LOUIS 67, DAMIEN 32

Jeremiah Masoli scored a game-high 15 points aand Scott Smith added 10 points to lead the Crusaders past the visiting Monarchs to advance to tonight's the ILH postseason tournament final against Punahou.

Saint Louis led 19-8 after one period and 37-13 at the half.

DAMIEN (2-12) 8 5 5 14—32

SAINT LOUIS (9-4) 19 18 16 14—67

DAMIEN—Nikko Romuar 3, Kama Bailey 2, Winnie Gapuz 7, Matt Gochenouer 9, Tony Cerezo 1, Aminis Thompson 0, Haku Correa 0, Kenneth Rossi 2, Mike Sipili 3, Mana Mikaele 3, Sione Tau 0, Christian Vasconcellos 2. Totals 7 15-25 32.

SAINT LOUIS—Ricksson Pacarro 0, Kuli'a Aiona 5, John Quindara 9, Kawika Kekuawela 6, Scott Smith 10, Cameron Bayne 7, Joshua Yuen 0, Cole Shidaki 4, Mona Aigamaua 2, Kalua Noa 2, Jeremiah Masoli 15, Elliott Purcell 2, Jacob Barit 5. Totals 29 7-16 67. 3-point goals—Damien 3 (Romuar, Gochenouer, Mikaele). Saint Louis 2 (Bayne, Masoli).

Reported by Gail Juan

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.