The Hamilton Wildcats (Chandler, Ariz.), ranked No. 7 in their home state, will battle Waiakea in the opening game of the I Mua Invitational on Thursday.
The Waiakea Warriors, led by Jolie Mantz and Pua Herrington, are ranked No. 4 in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
Lahainaluna features Lola Donez, a 6-foot senior who committed to Cal. Donez grew up in Lahaina before moving to the mainland for more basketball opportunities. She transferred home for her senior year. The Lady Lunas clash with Maryknoll, which is coming off a loss to Kamehameha. The Spartans are fast and playing uptempo basketball as they enter their first ILH Division II season in decades. Maryknoll is ranked No. 5 and Lahainaluna is No. 8.
Host Kamehameha will battle Kahuku, one of the most improved teams in the state. The Lady Raiders showed plenty of chemistry during their performance at the Konawaena Invitational. Their starting five — supplemented by two players who left their private schools — is currently one of the strongest, if not the best, in the OIA.
The opening day is also the quarterfinal round in the championship-bracket format.
Another mainland team in the tourney is Miami, which finished last season ranked No. 11 in Arizona 2A by High School Basketball Hub. Yes, that’s Miami of Arizona. Miami will play Division II powerhouse Kamehameha-Hawaii, which is led by high-scoring guards Keanu Huihui and Maela Honma. Huihui, a 6-foot senior, recently signed with UH-Hilo.
Thursday’s games
No. 4 Waiakea vs. Hamilton (Ariz.), 3:30 p.m.
No. 8 Lahainaluna vs. No. 5 Maryknoll, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Kamehameha vs. No. 6 Kahuku, 6:30 p.m.
Kamehameha-Hawaii vs. Miami (Ariz.), 8 p.m.
Friday’s games
Consolation, 3:30 and 5 p.m.
Semifinals, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Championship, 5:30 p.m.
Third place, 4 p.m.
Fifth place, 2:30 p.m.
Seventh place, 1 p.m.
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