A reborn Raider varsity boys waterpolo team bounced back from a slow first half to outscore Punahou 5-1 in the second half securing an 8-6 victory and the championship of the post season tournament. An enthusiastic crowd at the Kamehameha pool came out on a Friday holiday to cheer on the teams, and the fans got their money's worth.
'Iolani started cold, staking Punahou to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter despite taking several good shots on the Punahou goal. Stephen Lim put 'Iolani on the board with less than two minutes left in the quarter, but the Puns bounced right back with their own score to make it 3-1 after one quarter.
Although the Raiders ralled for a 3-3 tie in the second quarter, it ended much like the first with Punahou ahead 5-3 at the half.
The Renaissance Raiders came storming out for the third quarter showing a more intense collapsing defense and a rejuvenated offense. Led by Nate Yang in the goal, 'Iolani stymied the Puns' attack, holding them to just one goal in the whole half. The offense, led by Lim and Victor Wong rose to the occasion, scoring five goals. They tied at 5-5 in the third, went up 7-5 in the fourth, and held on for the 8-6 victory. Lim and Wong each had three goals for the Raiders.
Also scoring for Iolani were Victor Lim and Bret "BJ" Johnson.
Coach Randy Bart installed new offense for this game, trying to isolate 'Iolani attackers on Punahou defenders to avoid the blocked shots that plagued the team in the last regular season game. His attackers got better shots and made the most of them. Punahou could not key on one player, and the Raiders were able to mount a more balanced attack.
The defense collapsed on the Punahou hole players at the 'Iolani end and forced several key turn-overs.
After losing the regular season title, the 'Iolani players set as their goal a win in the post-season tourney and then a final win over Punahou in a playoff.
They are two thirds of the way there with the tournament title under their belts and the playoff coming Wednesday at 6:30 back at the Kamehameha pool again.
