Maryknoll a unanimous pick for No. 1 again

The trees swayed, but the forest remains the domain of the Lady Spartans.

Maryknoll collected every first-place vote from coaches and media to remain locked at No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10 on Monday.

The Lady Spartans (24-2) continued their dominance in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play with wins over Sacred Hearts and ‘Iolani. Maryknoll completed the regular season 10-0 and has sealed a berth in the state tournament.

They have been so dominant, voters have made the Spartans a unanimous pick for No. 1 in every one of the eight weekly Top 10 polls so far this season.

Konawaena (22-2), the defending champion and winner of eight of the last 14 state tournaments, remained at No. 2. The Wildcats devoured Kealakehe 100-8 and Kamehameha-Hawaii 52-25. In the win over Kealakehe, their neighbors to the north, Konawaena had 74 points at the half and officials switched to a running game clock in the second half.

Lahainaluna (20-4) made a modest leap from No. 4 to No. 3 this week. The Lady Lunas defeated Maui 66-28 to increase their Maui Interscholastic League win streak to 148 games. They are 11-0 in league play this season.

‘Iolani (14-7) dropped a spot to No. 4 after an 82-43 loss to Maryknoll and a 56-43 win over Kamehameha.

St. Francis (23-0) won the ILH Division II title and earned an automatic state-tourney berth. The Saints’ first league title since 2001 came on the heels of a three-game week that included a 47-43 win over another ranked team, Hawaii Baptist.

Kamehameha (17-5) slipped one step to No. 6 following the loss to ‘Iolani, which was sandwiched by wins over Punahou.

Waiakea (15-7) remained at No. 7 after racing past Keaau 56-40 and Hawaii Prep 63-31.

Hilo (13-4) flipped spaces with Mililani. The Vikings are No. 8 after a key 48-34 road win over Kamehameha-Hawaii.

No. 9 Mililani (14-7) overwhelmed Kaiser 51-28 to qualify for the state tournament. The Lady Trojans will meet Kalani tonight in the OIA semifinal round.

Hawaii Baptist (24-6) edged out fast-rising Moanalua for the No. 10 spot. HBA nearly beat St. Francis on Saturday despite an injury to leading scorer and rebounder Ally Wada in the first half. The Eagles finished regular-season play 13-2 and enter the ILH D-II playoffs.

Moanalua (15 votes), finished one vote outside of the Top 10. Na Menehune plays Kahuku tonight in the other OIA Division I semifinal game.

Sacred Hearts (six), Mid-Pacific (five), Kahuku (three) and Kalani (one) also received votes.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10