CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM McKinley's Oliver Diguc drove to the basket against Thompson's Tristan Sealy during the fourth quarter last night.

McKinley silences Sealy

McKinley wasn't able to stop Tristan Sealy, but did enough to keep him off-balance and frustrated.

Sealy scored a game-high 19 points, but struggled through the first half of the game. The Tigers built a large enough cushion during a pivotal second-half stretch to weather a late barrage from Thompson's dangerous guard, and held on to win 54-46 last night on their own court.

It was a vast improvement of fortunes for the Tigers over the last time they went up against him; Sealy went off for 36 in a five-point Sharks victory to open up OIA White play this season.

McKinley decided before the game to go to an up-tempo attack, since a slow-it-down approach failed miserably the last time the teams met. Tiger players heaved fullcourt passes at the first sign of a man leaking out, leading to seven fast-break points to open the fourth quarter for an 18-point lead.

Thompson rallied to within eight in the game's final moments, but was unable to make up the overwhelming deficit.

Jonathan Lee nearly negated Sealy's scoring with a team-high 17 points, and Nainoa Lessary added 13 for the Tigers.

The Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division scoring leader -- Sealy averaged 26.4 points per game entering last night's game -- shot only 2-for-12 in the first half, and attempted to go to the role of playmaker in the second quarter. But the Campbell transfer's teammates were largely unable to handle his passes and turned the ball over five times in that period, while managing just two baskets.

"He does get everybody involved," said Sharks coach Sol Batoon. "The problem is when we give you the ball, then you gotta convert it, you gotta score. Many times we gave the ball in and we weren't able to. It's frustrating on both ends. It's not Tristan's fault, it's a team concept."

Kyle Kilborn added 12 for Thompson (4-6 OIA White).

The Tigers (6-3) went on a 13-4 run in the third quarter, and combined with their fast breaks to open the fourth, led 45-31 with 4 minutes, 15 seconds to play. That's when Sealy finally got things going.

The 6-foot-3 senior stole the ball and hit a floater along the baseline, then connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to kick off a 15-5 run. The Sharks pulled within nine with 1 minute, 50 seconds left, appearing to threaten the game's outcome.

"I don't really think you can shut down Tristan Sealy -- our goal was to make it as hard for him to score as possible, keep a guy in front of him and that's it," said Tigers coach Bob Morikuni. "I don't think anyone can stop him."

After Lessary broke away for another fast-break layup, Sealy was fouled on a 3-pointer at the 1 minute, 22 second mark. But the guard appeared to have no legs left, and missed all three free throws. Thompson's momentum hit a wall, and McKinley went 3-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute to seal the win.

Time appeared to dry up for the Sharks.

"Today, if there was more time on the clock we would have came back," Sealy said. "It's kind of frustrating at times. We came into the game lagged a lot. We didn't come out to play, and by the time (we did) it was already too late."

Credit that to the Tigers' improved defense. They forced 13 turnovers over the final three quarters.

"We just played (team) defense, and yeah, tonight wasn't his night," Lee said.

Farrington 54, Kalani 43

Chris Pieper poured in a game-high 18 points for Kalani.