Kaimuki moves into first place atop OIA Division II standings

KAIMUKI — Manduy Pham made sure senior night would be a fun time for the home team.

The senior guard scored eight of Kaimuki’s first 10 points as the Bulldogs defeated visiting Waipahu, 67-55, Wednesday night to stay atop of the OIA Division II Boys Basketball standings.

With just one game left in the regular season, Kaimuki (7-1 league) is in prime position to lock up a first round bye in the upcoming six-team playoffs.

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“We did a great job. We really planned for this game from the start of the week,” said Pham, who was selected as the Fun Factory Games ‘VIP of the Game.’

“We came in here and we were confident. We really wanted this win. This win just gives us more confidence because we’re the No. 1 seed. We got a target on our backs, but that’s what we want. We want the competition. We want it hard.”

Pham, who was on the last Kaimuki team to win a OIA title two years ago, finished with 15 points in the win over the Marauders (6-2 league).

He hit a midrange jumper to start and made another shot from distance to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead. Pham then hit another triple following Waipahu’s first made basket for a 10-2 advantage.

“Those big shots, that’s mostly for me because I usually come off with a slow start so those first couple shots really gave me the confidence to keep going,” he said.

Freshman guard Elijah Fritz-Betiru was also solid with three made 3-pointers for 16 points to go along with three blocks.

“That boy is great,” Pham said of Fritz-Betiru. “He young, but he a dog. He really want it and he got a bright future ahead of him.”

Hilton Edward was also solid off the bench on 75 percent shooting for 13 points and five rebounds.

Pacing the Marauders in the loss was Talon Ea with a game-high 20 points and Zyrus Sivongxay-Tokumoto with 13 points.