Kaimuki senior forward Beau Albrechtson scored a game-high 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, had two steals and a key block last night to lead the Bulldogs past Radford, 68-59, in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball semifinals.

Defending champion Kaimuki, ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 10-5 and will face OIA Eastern Division champ Kalaheo (12-2) in tomorrow night's title game.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at McKinley's Student Council Gym.

Albrechtson, a 6-foot-4 post who was saddled with foul trouble for much of last Saturday's quarterfinal victory over Mililani, played all 32 minutes last night and finished strong with nine points, five rebounds, both steals and the crucial block in the fourth period.

"I told myself before the game, 'No more dumb fouls,' " Albrechtson said. "I picked up a couple of fouls that I shouldn't have against Mililani, but tonight I had only one foul (going into) the fourth quarter, so I knew I (achieved) my goal."

The Rams (10-5) led 44-40 late in the third period, but Kaimuki guard Daniel Colon swished a 3-pointer and Maka Nahinu sank a free throw to tie it 44-44 with a minute remaining. Keone Reyes (18 points, seven rebounds, two steals) then scored on a putback to start the fourth quarter to put the Bulldogs ahead for good.

Gary Satterwhite scored a team-high 21 points to lead Radford, but was shut out in the fourth period and was blocked by Albrechtson on a 3-point attempt with under a minute left and the score 60-57. Albrechtson was then fouled and sank both free throws to make it 62-57 with 49 seconds remaining.

"That was a huge play," Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant said. "It's one thing to block the ball, but if you block it out of bounds, it's the same thing (as no block). But he kept the ball in play and went after it."

Twenty seconds later, reserve guard Craig Cabudol scored on a layup to make it 64-57 and basically seal the victory.

The Bulldogs were a preseason favorite to return to the championship game, but an up-and-down regular season that included a loss to Roosevelt (3-9) and two defeats to Moanalua cast some doubt and cost them a first-round playoff bye.

"There was some slight doubt," Albrechtson acknowledged. "But I got together with Keone and Daniel, and we knew deep down we were going to be back to defend the title, and now we're back. We're playing good team ball, and when we're playing like that, we're hard to stop."

Kaimuki has now won three playoff games in impressive fashion.

"They've picked it up to another level in the playoffs," Rams coach Kai Enos said. "We need to learn how to be like them."

RADFORD (10-5) 12 17 17 13 — 59

KAIMUKI (10-6) 18 14 12 24 — 68

RADFORD — Travis Daniels 4, Justin Lord 8, Stevie Williams 0, Matt Hoover 10, Matt Alofaituli 0, So'oso'o Taulelei 8, Gary Satterwhite 21, Antonio Williams 8. Totals 27 0-0 59.

KAIMUKI — Daniel Colon 9, Chezz Ramos-Dias 0, Craig Cabudol 4, Brandon Madamba 2, Bryan Lim 0, Chauncey Nicola 0, Kamahoi Cookman 0, Tyler Fessenden-Batis 0, Makalii Nahinu 7, Desmond Tautofi 0, Jamari Hamilton 0, Ryan Kakitani 0, Perry Faleao 0, Keone Reyes 18, Beau Albrechtson 28, Preacher Namdrik 0. Totals 25 16-21 68. 3-point goals: Radford 5 (Satterwhite 3, Hoover 2). Kaimuki 2 (Colon, Reyes).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.