Just like that, three of the four seeded league champions are eliminated from the Snapple/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships.
BIIF champion Waiakea, the second seed, fell on Thursday night against Kalani. MIL champion and third seed Lahainaluna tumbled against Kamehameha. OIA champion and fourth seed Kahuku fell short against Konawaena. Just like that. And the young Wildcats of Konawaena, a team without a senior, is now two wins away from winning a fifth state title in a row.
Friday’s Division I games
Stan Sheriff Center
1 p.m. Maui vs. Kahuku, consolation
3 p.m. Waiakea vs. Lahainaluna, consolation
5 p.m. Kalani vs. Kamehameha, semifinal
7 p.m. ‘Iolani vs. Konawaena, semifinal
Division I quarterfinals
Kalani 73, Waiakea 57
At McKinley, unseeded Kalani sent second-seeded Waiakea to defeat in a game that wasn’t very close. The Lady Falcons led by as many as 23 points, but also had to overcome injuries to three players. Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole answered the call with 17 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks in a statement performance. Kalena Halunajan scored 19 points in her first state-tourney game.
Kelsie Imai (11 points, seven boards, four assist and three steals) and Destynee Williams (11 points, nine rebounds) led BIIF champion Waiakea (20-5).
Kalani had fallen short of the OIA title two weeks ago, losing to Kahuku in the final.
Kamehameha 47, Lahainaluna 30
Also at McKinley, third-seeded Lahainaluna couldn’t seem to make a layup on this night, struggling against a tough man-to-man defense. Malie Marfil led ILH runner-up Kamehameha (17-6) with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the arc. Noelle Sua-Godinet (six points, 11 rebounds) and Kalina Obrey (eight points, six boards) powered the Warriors in the paint.
Susitina Namoa led the MIL champion Lady Lunas (20-5) with 15 points and eight rebounds, but like her teammates, the rim was unkind at times on normally easy layups.
Konawaena 46, Kahuku 42
BIIF runner-up Konawaena (13-4) was in control nearly the entire way, then withstood a Lady Raiders’ rally to advance. The four-time defending state champions will meet ‘Iolani on Friday.
Veteran Caiyle Kaupu fueled the Wildcats with 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting and 14 rebounds. Freshman Kaliana Harrell-Salazar pumped in 22 points, including five treys.
Sophomore Leiah Naeata led OIA champion Kahuku (14-5) with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Meleane Tonga added nine points.
‘Iolani 67, Maui 32
The top-seeded Raiders led 35-17 at the half and coasted to victory over the MIL runner-up Sabers. Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu had 14 points and seven boards for ‘Iolani (21-6). Taylor Wu tallied 13 points and five assists, and Alexis Huntimer added 10 points and four steals. Kylie Yung leaped for a team-high eight rebounds.
Damn Iolani is rolling! Good job by all
It’s the playoffs baby!!! Win or go go home. Congratulations to the 4 winning teams and good luck in your remaining games.
Cheering for Raider gals all the way from Kansas City! Come on Lily & Jovi! Cheehoo!
1. Waiakea lost cuz the head coach spends too much time on Instagram. Instead of #outworking or #hashtagging, maybe he should #study #improve #makesimpleadjustments. They have so much talent that a homeless person could have taken that team to states. The coaching is so bad. Parents complaining. Kids unhappy.
2. Kahuku has 1 really great player and a bunch of kids who try hard. Poor game planning. Inexperienced coaching. Once again, minimal adjustments. No sense of a game plan. Very vanilla defense. Offense, they just spread the floor and expect Naeata to do everything.
3. Lahainaluna has solid coaching. This year they didn’t have an abundance of talent. They did what they could with what they had.
Wow! There seems to be something personal with M.T. And the waiakea coach . Hope that’s not the case and everyone can support the players and coaches . Great job by all the teams this weekend and a congratulations go out to Iolani for winning the states and Kamehameha who could’ve very well won it as well
M.T. wow you seriously need to get a life! So much hate and negativity. Good thing you know it all, can put down CHILDREN without thinking twice and spread your supposed expertise. I’ll bet you can coach better than anyone out there 2!! Congratulations, hope you have a wonderful day. P.S. I pity you!
All da kidz wen try dea Bess. Congrats punahou on the state championship. I love the way Day play. Sum mean da offense and transition.