At Kalaheo High School Gym in Kailua, the Celtics led by as many as 16 over the Blazers and won, 40-39, in double overtime on Sunday.

The Celtics raced out to score the first 16 points of the first half. Due to Kailua Community Basketball League rules, opponents’ defense had to be moved outside the paint.

The Blazers used the mercy rule to its advantage and used an 11-0 run at the 10:55 mark to get back in the Celtics’ neighborhood. They managed to hold the Celtics to just two points the rest of the first half. It was 18-16 Celtics at the end of the first.

The Celtics began the second half with a triple, but the Blazers did not let them get away. The Celtics kept a margin of 3-5 points for much of the second half.

The Blazers finally took their first lead at the 12:45 mark, but the Celtics did not back down.

With under a minute to go, the Blazers took the lead, 36-34, off two free throws, but the Celtics made the next field goal to tie the game again.

The Blazers were down by one, 37-36, when they went 1-for-2 at the free throw line. Overtime was needed to decide the winner once and for all.

The Blazers then began the one-minute overtime period with two made free throws to take the lead, but that was short-lived. The Celtics made the only field goal to tie the score at 39 and force a sudden death second overtime period.

In the second overtime, the Celtics secured the win with a good free throw for the final score.