Kalani lands at No. 8 entering states

For the ninth time in nine weeks, the Lady Spartans of Maryknoll are a unanimous No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10.

Maryknoll (26-2) has not lost to a Hawaii team all season. Sunday’s voting by coaches and media resulted in all 10 first-place votes going to the school on Wilder Avenue. With the boys team also a unanimous pick in their poll, Maryknoll has the No. 1 teams in the girls and boys basketball rankings for a second week in a row.

There was no seismic activity among the top seven teams as the focus turns to the Snapple/HHHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships, which tips off today with opening-round matchups in Division I. While Maryknoll captured its fourth consecutive ILH title, No. 2 Konawaena (23-2) took the BIIF crown while recording its 114th win in a row during league play.

Third-ranked Lahainaluna (20-4) also ran the table in the MIL, seizing the crown with its 146th league win without a loss. ‘Iolani (15-8) remained at No. 4 after ousting Kamehameha, which had been No. 2 in the rankings for much of the season. The Raiders host Kahuku on Monday, 6 p.m., in opening-round state-tournament play.

St. Francis (23-0), the top seed in the Division II state tourney, remains rooted at No. 5. Kamehameha (17-6) is at No. 6. Waiakea (16-8) edged No. 10 Hilo (13-4) for the BIIF’s second and final D-I state berth.

Kalani (14-8) made a big leap into the Top 10 for the first time since Dec. 24, when the Lady Falcons were ranked No. 10. Kalani won the OIA D-I championship on Friday, and the panel noticed by slotting the Falcons at No. 8.

Hawaii Baptist dropped a notch to No. 10. The Eagles begin play in the D-II state tourney on Wednesday.

Mililani lost in the OIA semifinal round against Kalani 47-45 and in the third-place game against Kahuku 35-27. The Lady Trojans dropped out of the Top 10 after a three-week stay. The Lady Trojans were ranked as high as No. 8.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10