While ‘Iolani and Konawaena have been locked at the top two spots, the midsection of the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10 has turned dynamic.
Old-school powerhouse Lahainaluna vaulted three notches higher to No. 3 after knocking off the MIL’s first-place team, Maui, 43-41, at the Sabers’ gym.
Maui remained at No. 4 despite the loss, and only 10 points separate the Sabers and No. 7 Kamehameha.
Hilo moved up two slots to No. 5 after a 49-42 win over rival Waiakea. Maryknoll’s turnaround — the Lady Spartans repelled Punahou by 10 points and Kamehameha by 18 — caught the eye of coaches and media on the panel. Maryknoll is at No. 6 this week, just ahead of Kamehameha and Punahou.
Waiakea and Campbell round out the Top 10. Campbell, unbeaten in the OIA West, begins its playoff journey on Thursday. The Sabers will host the Kahuku-Leilehua winner.
Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10
Jan. 31, 2022
Rank School (1st-place votes) Pts LW
1. ‘Iolani (10) (10-2, 7-0 ILH) 118 1
> def. No. 5 Kamehameha 48-37
> def. No. 3 Punahou 53-37
> def. No. 8 Maryknoll 51-42
> at Maryknoll, Monday
> at Kamehameha, Tuesday
2. Konawaena (2) (7-2, 5-0 BIIF) 110 2
> won @ Keaau 53-17
> vs. Hawaii Prep, Thursday
3. Lahainaluna (7-3, 6-1 MIL) 80 6
> won @ No. 4 Maui 43-41
> def. King Kekaulike 70-16
> at Baldwin, Tuesday
> at KS-Maui, Thursday
4. Maui (11-2, 8-1 MIL) 69 4
> lost to No. 6 Lahainaluna 43-41
> won @ Baldwin 66-23
> at KS-Maui, Tuesday
5. Hilo (5-1, 5-1 BIIF) 68 7
> def Kamehameha-Hawaii 55-27
> won @ No. 9 Waiakea 49-42
> bye
6. Maryknoll (7-8, 2-6 ILH) 65 8
> def. No. 3 Punahou 48-38
> def. No. 5 Kamehameha 65-47
> lost to No. 1 ‘Iolani 51-42
> vs. ‘Iolani, Monday
7. Kamehameha (7-7, 3-5 ILH) 59 5
> lost to No. 1 ‘Iolani 48-37
> lost to No. 8 Maryknoll 65-47
> def. No. 3 Punahou 42-40, OT
> vs. ‘Iolani, Tuesday
8. Punahou (6-5, 4-5 ILH) 37 3
> lost to No. 8 Maryknoll 48-38
> lost to No. 1 ‘Iolani 53-37
> lost at No. 5 Kamehameha 42-40, OT
> next: bye
9. Waiakea (2-2, 2-2 BIIF) 25 9
> lost to No. 7 Hilo 49-42
> @ Keaau, Thursday
> @ Kealakehe, Friday
10. Campbell (10-2, 10-0 OIA West) 20 10
> won @ Waianae 49-14
> def. Nanakuli 51-30
> vs. Kahuku-Leilehua winner, Thursday
Also receiving votes: Damien 6, Kaiser 2, Hawaii Baptist 1.
Very confusing move last night in the Maryknoll vs. Iolani game. Lefotu picks up her 4th foul pretty early in the 3rd. Coach Young takes her out and sits her. Iolani then pulls the ball out since Maryknoll is in a passive 2-3 zone. Iolani is stalling and runs off approximately 4 minutes and takes a shot with under 10 seconds left. Maryknoll just sits back and lets Iolani run clock. This move definitely seemed to help Iolani. By using so much clock, it shortens the game and allows Lefotu to sit on the bench. Maryknoll had an advantage with Lefotu sitting but didn’t take advantage of it. They just sat and stood. Iolani put Lefotu back in during the 4th and outscored Maryknoll 13-4. They were down 4-6 when Lefotu sat. I do not understand the logic. With Iolani’s best player out don’t you want to play them instead of letting them use clock? Someone please explain to me.
I think the score was 35-29 iolani at the time . I would like to guess that the coach may have been thinking it’s only a two possession game with a full quarter still to play . I also understand your point with jovi out to maybe put some pressure on them and see if they can generate some offense
Hi Fullcourt.
I have seen coaches stall to protect leads. Or even make the game shorter if you team is overmatched. But I don’t recall seeing a team who is losing where their opponent’s best player is out on the bench with 4 fouls in the mid 3rd and allow almost 4 minutes to run off the clock. It was astonishing to me.