Kaimuki is making another familiar late-season run through the O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball tournament, and another familiar name is leading the Bulldogs' charge.

Desmond Tautofi, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior post, averaged 15 points and 10.7 rebounds in three playoff victories last week which put Kaimuki in the driver's seat. The Bulldogs (12-3 in league play) can win their third OIA championship in four years with a victory Thursday night, and even if they lose, they'll get another shot at the title Saturday.

Kaimuki's opponent will be either Kahuku (14-1) or the winner of today's 6 p.m. game pitting Kalaheo (11-5) at Campbell (12-3).

Mililani (11-4) will face Radford (11-5) at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Kahuku for fifth place, followed by Kahuku vs. the Kalaheo-Campbell winner at about 6:30.

Kaimuki started the OIA season 0-2, but is 11-1 since, with the only loss coming in overtime at Kahuku on Jan. 30.

In that game, Tautofi fouled out on a charging call while trying to advance the ball against full-court pressure with the Bulldogs up, 55-53, and only 14 seconds remaining in regulation.

Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant said Tautofi faced a similar situation Saturday where he might have been baited into a charge, but instead pulled up and avoided the contact.

"He did it correctly this time, and that shows he's learned," Grant said. "He's been more conscious of his movements."

Tautofi committed only three fouls Saturday and finished with a game-high 19 points and 15 rebounds in a 39-34 victory. The night before, he scored 16 points and grabbed 12 boards in a 51-39 third-round win at Western Division champ Mililani, and on Thursday he had 10 points and five rebounds in a second-round victory over Radford.

Grant said Tautofi also has gotten his academic house in order after a mix-up last month kept him out of the lineup for the first period of key games against Kalaheo and Kahuku.

"He's taking high-level courses, so nothing is easy," Grant said. "He spends at least an hour, hour-half every day after school working with tutors or teachers."

Tautofi also is watched over closely by older brother Daniel, a former Advertiser All-State football and basketball player for Kaimuki in 2002 and 2003. Daniel Tautofi is now an assistant coach for the Bulldogs basketball team.

Besides Tautofi, Grant said Kaimuki has been led by senior point guard David Taulung, a savvy ball-handler and court general. Taulung has been effective in setting the tempo on offense and finding the open man.

"He's made a big difference," Grant said. "He's learned to play with the other guys, and they've learned to play with him."

Grant said the team's conditioning — which was not sufficient early in the season — also has been a key factor. And he said Tautofi has been an example of the progress.

"We're right where we should be," Grant said. "Before, Desmond would do the running, but you could tell by his expressions that he didn't like doing it. The last couple weeks, you can tell he's running with more conviction."

ILH DIVISION I BOYS

MARYKNOLL 62, DAMIEN 37

Tyler Terai scored 10 of his 26 points in the third period as the Spartans beat the Monarchs in the single-elimination tournament.

Maryknoll outscored Damien 23-5 in the third to take a 43-25 lead.

Maryknoll plays Saint Louis tonight at 6:30 at 'Iolani.

Lonn Iwashita scored 14 points to lead Damien.

MARYKNOLL (1-12) 13 7 23 19 — 62

DAMIEN (2-11) 8 12 5 12 — 37

MARYKNOLL — Masashi Uematsu 4, Chasen St. Onge 5, Tyler Terai 26, Craig Shoji 2, Jordan Victorino 7, David Nosal 10, Kekiai Cashman-Fernandez 0, Dillon Keaney 3, Chad Sumulong 2, Jacob Mayer 3, Davis Holt 0, Trevor Ventura 0. Totals 21 18-26 62.

DAMIEN — Jeremy Torcuato 0, Drey Dutro-Solomua 2, Tim Smith 4, Anthony Tuitele 7, Breysen Lee 3, Kevin Aganos 2, Marvin Berueda 0, Mark Baay 2, J.B. Ferreira 0, Tyler Tamayo 0, Nephi Tuitele 0, Lonn Iwashita 14, Jacob Cachola 3. Totals 10 15-21 37. 3-point goals: Maryknoll 2 (St. Onge, Keaney). Damien 2 (A. Tuitele, Iwashita).

Reported by Donnie Martin