Cherilyn Molina of Konawaena and Ciera Kameehonua of Mid-Pacific were named the most outstanding players of their respective divisions at the Snapple/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships on Saturday.
Molina was impeccable on both ends of the floor as the Wildcats swept through the tourney to win their third state championship in as many years. Molina, a junior, has been a key part of all three titles in this run. She scored 14 points with four rebounds and five assists in a quarterfinal win over Kamehameha-Maui.
One night later, Molina had 16 points, seven boards and three dimes in a victory over Kamehameha.
In the championship game against Maryknoll, she had 14 points, four boards, six assists and six steals as the Wildcats triumphed.
Joining Molina on the Division I all-tournament team: teammates Celena Jane Molina and Mikayla Tablit; Rhianne Omori and Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole of Maryknoll and Mikiala Maio of Kamehameha.
Kameehonua caught fire in the D-II championship game against Kamehameha-Hawaii, swishing six 3-pointers to finish with 25 points as the Owls captured their first state crown. She also grabbed 10 rebounds that night. For the tourney, she averaged 16 points per game.
Also on the all-tourney team are teammates Harley Simon and Brilie Kovaloff of MPI; Jordyn Martz and Saydee Aganus of KS-Hawaii; and Olivia Vaeatangitau of St. Francis.
Yeah I watched a lot of the D2 Tournament. While Simon and Ciera were amazing for the Owls, it was Brilie Kovaloff who had the most impressive tourney.
I felt the two best teams in the tourney were MPI and Kalani. Brilie at one point in the late 3rd quarter was outscoring Kalani 24-20. She went over 25 the first two nights and 9 on the final night.
But if you watch defense, they are set to stop her. It’s clear she is the #1 option for the team. She is also asked to play PG and defend the best players on the other team.
I understand that Ciera had an amazing final game, but I thought the Most Outstanding Player Award is awarded for the body of work, not just 1 game.
But who am I.
The Brilie kid is very good. I think she has an outside chance to play D1 at a mid major. Heard her on Sports Animals ESPN 1420 yesterday. Very humble and sounds like a great kid. Very sharing of the spotlight and very thankful to teammates and coaches. I think it’s up to her school and club coach to get her some offers.
While I do believe Brilie and her other owl teammates are fantastic players, if you took any ILH D1 team and put them down in D2 they would all look like superstars. Even a team ad broken as Punahou. I am not trying to take credit away from the owls but I do believe the true test will begin when they move back up to D1.
That is a fair point. But using Kalani as a variable (I don’t put much emphasis into preseason games where most coaches are using it to get a feel for their team), they ended up in 3rd place in the OIA. Kalani is a good team that is towards the top of the OIA regardless of division. The Brilie girl absolutely man handled them. Maybe the wear and tear of only playing ILH D1 girls will take it’s toll.
I believe if they play up to potential, and with a slight improvement to their coaching, they could end up 3rd next year. Assuming that MPI goes up, this is how I see the ILH playing out next year.
1) Maryknoll
2) Kamehameha
3) Iolani
4) Mid Pacific
5) Punahou
6) Sacred Hearts
***Disclaimer: The rankings could change based on where my niece Lily goes to school next year for 9th grade.