As the go-to guy in a season of nail-biting finishes, University High senior Isaiah deLaura ended strong by being named the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II Player of the Year after a vote by league coaches.

DeLaura, a 6-foot guard/forward, averaged close to 20 points per game and was particularly effective in tight situations down the stretch, according to UHS coach Walter Quitan.

"He played well at the end of most games and had a couple game-winners for us," Quitan said. "He made big plays all year."

In a 46-44 victory over Christian Academy, deLaura hit a shot at the buzzer to tie the score at 40-40, then hit a jumper with 3.2 seconds remaining in overtime for the winning margin.

"He shot the ball well, and a lot of his points came in transition," Quitan said.

University High won the league championship with a 14-1 record, but Quitan said it was by no means an easy road.

"We won about seven or eight games by under five points," said Quitan, who was named Coach of the Year.

DeLaura is joined on the ILH DII all-star first team by senior Jason Ko and junior Michael Urcia of Christian Academy, Academy of the Pacific junior Micah Dunhour, Lanakila Baptist senior Chase Hazlewood, Le Jardin senior John Whitty and Hanalani senior Darin Kamealoha.

Dunhour helped AOP to a 15-3 runner-up finish and a rare state tournament berth. Kamealoha helped Hanalani to an 11-6 third-place finish.

The league also selected a DI-AA all-star team for the first time. The DI-AA is made up of 'Iolani, Kamehameha, Punahou and Saint Louis — schools that also have Division I programs.

'Iolani had three first-team senior selections: Taylor Kennedy, Curts Martin and Scott Sakaida. Kamehameha senior Brandon Marfil and Punahou junior Lowell Tong also made the first team.

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