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There are infinite opinions about girls basketball and all the greatness of teams and players since that first state tournament in 1977.
There are also facts.
Here’s one: Cherilyn Molina and Mikayla Tablit are two of only three players believed to be part of four state championships in girls hoops. The third? Nani Cockett of Kamehameha.
Molina and Tablit are also part of slightly more exclusive club. Cockett suffered an ACL injury during one of those seasons just before the state tourney. Konawaena’s four-peat as state champions — nine state crowns under Bobbie Awa — means that Tablit and Molina are the first to play in all four title wins.
None of the previous Wildcats — going back to former POYs Lia Galdeira, Jazzmin Awa-Williams and Nancy Hoist — were part of four titles in a row.
Here’s another: A Molina sister has been voted POY in each of the past five seasons. The only remaining active coach whose team beat Konawaena is Todd Rickard of Lahainaluna.
“Molina is very deserving. What she and her teammates lack in size, they make up with court awareness,” Rickard said. “They put a lot of time in the gym, spend a lot of time on fundamentals. It all comes down to putting time in the gym.”
Awa has seen all three Molina sisters — Chanelle, Celena Jane and now Cherilyn — thrive in a small community with the highest standards.
“Cherilyn is a competitor like all the other players that were previously chosen as player of the year. A great athlete who loves the game of basketball,” Awa said. “What made these girls special is the fact that they had great teammates.”
Molina was spectacular as a four-time Star-Advertiser All-State selection, voted by coaches and media as player of the year for consecutive seasons. The senior was more than a floor leader along with Tablit and another Fab 15 selection, sophomore post Caiyle Kaupu. She averaged 16 points per game, but also used her athleticism to average 10 rebounds per game at the state championships this winter. With 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks at the big dance, she was also selected by voters as the top member of the all-defensive squad.
She will join her sisters at Washington State next season. Her aptitude plus attitude has been part of the legacy for the Molina sisters and Konawaena basketball. Eldest sister Chanelle was a three-time Star-Advertiser All-State POY and four-time Fab 15 selection. Middle sister Celena Jane was a three-time All-State pick.
Awa was voted coach of the year by the panel of coaches and media. The former player at Hawaii Pacific College (as it was known) has guided her alma mater, Konawaena, to nine state championships in the past 15 seasons. Also receiving votes were Rickard, Chico Furtado of Maryknoll, Aaron Tanimoto of Honokaa, Chi Mok of Kalani, Weston Willard of Kamehameha-Hawaii, Brandon Kauhi of Waiakea and the co-coaches at Roosevelt, John Chung and Steve Hathaway.
The kinship that Rickard and other small programs feel for Konawaena is a direct reflection of their respect for Awa, who has been selected coach of the year nine times.
“They call coach Bobbie, Auntie Bobbie. Being around each other so long, you don’t want to let each other down. She deserves it. Every year she deserves it. I have a lot of respect for her and her program and her kids. I know how much time she puts in,” Rickard said. “There’s a reason she has nine state championships. She deserves every single one.”
The Kona Stingrays Club that she and husband Donald began for a slew of nieces and nephews in the early 1990s is still going strong.
“It’s a lot of work, not just during basketball season or on the court,” she said. “You’ve got to love what you do.”
Here’s a look at the Fab 15 of 2017-18.
2. Mikayla Tablit, Konawaena, 5-5, G, Sr.
Tablit was steady and opportunistic, much like Molina. Neither was in a system that called for many isolation plays, but Tablit’s versatility and craftiness made her difficult to cover. She averaged 13 points, seven rebounds and 2.3 steals per game at the state tournament and was voted to the all-defensive squad.
3. Isabella Cravens, Maryknoll, 6-1, C, Sr.
The anchor of the Lady Spartans program since her freshman year has also powered the program to four ILH championships in a row. Cravens’ defense has always been unmatchable and her offense developed over time. She averaged nine points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals per game during the state tourney, including 11 points on 7-for-8 shooting, 11 rebounds, four steals and a block against Waiakea. She then had 11 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the final against Konawaena.
4. Sisilia Kaufusi, Kahuku, 5-11, C, Jr.
Her junior season turned into a breakout year with the Lady Raiders. At Maryknoll, she was a role player on a team dominated by older, talented teammates. She averaged nine minutes per game at last year’s state tournament. This season, the active post scorer was a double-double machine, showing an ability to go coast to coast with the basketball, using her ballhandling skills to finish. Her great motor combined with consistent playmaking in the paint led to 21 points per game in OIA play, along with 69 percent shooting at the free-throw line.
Kahuku’s youth reflected in the playoffs and state tourney, but young phenoms like Kaufusi did what they could. She scored 30 points (8-for-9 at the foul line) in a playoff loss to Moanalua. In the state tourney, she had 25 points against ‘Iolani, the ILH runner-up.
5. Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki, 5-6, G, Jr.
Espinda averaged 19 points per game, connecting on pull-up NBA-range 3s and driving hard to get contact and get to the free-throw line (71 percent). The versatile junior wasn’t just a scorer. She was Kaimuki’s main ballhandler, a point guard in a forward’s body who was also the team’s leading rebounder, plus an all-defensive team selection. Espinda was in some ways a modern version of former Honokaa great Kahea Schuckert. Her best games were often against the OIA’s best despite being the focal point of opposing defensive game plans: 25 points (seven treys) against Kahuku, the first-place team in the East; 28 points (four treys) against Moanalua; 26 points against Leilehua (five treys).
6. Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha, 5-11, C, Jr.
When healthy, Obrey was a double-double performer against the state’s top teams. She often drew double and triple teams and made the right decisions, passing to open teammates. Occasionally, she split double teams with great footwork, spin moves and an ability to shoot inside with either hand. The hand injury she suffered just before ILH play had a major effect on the Warriors, but she returned just three weeks later. She finished with a 15-point scoring average.
7. Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, Maryknoll, 5-10, G/F, Jr.
Arguably the most versatile player in the state, Kamakawiwo‘ole is a game changer on both ends. Voted to the all-defensive team, her length and activity make her an ideal defensive weapon. Offensively, she was part of a multifaceted, four-time ILH championship squad. She shot 71 percent from the foul line and averaged nine points per game. During the state tourney, she shot 56 percent from the field and had 12 points, five rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
8. Rhianne Omori, Maryknoll, 5-3, G, Sr.
The Lady Spartans’ floor general was a perfect fit to operate coach Chico Furtado’s attack for four years, winning four ILH crowns. Omori was outstanding on both ends of the floor, a relentless on-ball defender with quick hands — an all-defensive team selection — and a composed leader on the offensive side. Omori’s deadly 3-point range was on display at times, but more often she kept the Spartans machine humming. She averaged 10 points per game and made 75 percent of her free-throw attempts.
9. Braeanna Estabillo-Donato, Lahainaluna, 5-5, G, Sr.
Always a steadying influence for the Lady Lunas, who have the state’s longest regular-season win streak at 146 in a row. Estabillo-Donato’s 3-point range opens up lanes, and she finished with 17 points per game as senior.
10. Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna, 5-8, F, Sr.
Despite missing nonconference play with an injury, Namoa bounced back to give the Lady Lunas the power and explosion they needed in the post and in transition. Her 12-point scoring average would be higher if not for the multitude of blowout wins in MIL play, and she truly shined at the state tournament: 16 points, nine rebounds, 1.3 steals and one block per game. She had 17 points and 12 rebounds in a quarterfinal win over ‘Iolani, then had 17 points in a semifinal loss to Konawaena. She finished the tourney with 17 points and 11 rebounds against Waiakea.
11. Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist, 5-9, G/F/C, Sr.
The senior leader was an unselfish scorer who often posted double-doubles as her team’s best rebounder. She scored 13 points per game, saving her best outputs for D-I, Top 10 opponents: 28 and 24 points against Sacred Hearts, 16 against Mililani and 18 against Kamehameha. She suffered an injury late in the ILH D-II season and struggled after returning for the state tourney. As a whole, however, she had another superlative season for the Eagles.
12. Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts, 5-5, G, Jr.
If there are players’ coaches, Martinez is clearly a coaches’ kind of player. Her versatility, toughness and IQ make her a formidable challenge at any level. She averaged 15 points per game despite being a focal point for defenders and shot 78 percent from the free-throw line. She had her best games against Moanalua (20 points), St. Francis (20), HBA (29), Waiakea (25), Mid-Pacific (23, 25), ‘Iolani (20, 22) and Maryknoll (22).
13. Kiana Vierra, Kamehameha, 5-10, G/F, Sr.
Vierra averaged 13 points per game and was a 3-point specialist offensively, but ran the point when injuries hit the Warriors. Vierra is extremely versatile as a defender, but her gift is long-range shooting. She hit five treys and finished with 19 points in a win over MPI. She also had her best games against ‘Iolani (18, 16 points) late in the season. She has signed to play for UC Santa Barbara.
14. Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena, 5-9, F, So.
Her length and toughness made her a huge part of Konawaena’s interior defense as the Wildcats four-peated. Her best state-tourney game was against Lahainaluna in the semifinals with 12 points and 10 rebounds, including seven offensive caroms. She also hit a key 3-pointer that tied the game against Maryknoll in the final, sparking a major run.
15. Kodee Viena, Maryknoll, 5-8, G/F, Sr.
One of the defensive stoppers for the four-time ILH champions, Viena held down some of the state’s top scorers in the biggest games, adding immense value even when she didn’t score big offensively. Coaches and media voted her to the all-defensive team. She also scored close to eight points per game and had 14 points in a win over ‘Iolani to clinch the ILH crown.
‘Iolani point guard Tori Maeda and Waiakea’s versatile playmaker, Kelsie Imai, were close to cracking the Fab 15. Maeda was spectacular at times in the Raiders’ speedy attack, averaging 13 points per game in ILH play while shooting 81 percent from the foul line. Her biggest game may have been against Kahuku in the opening round of the state tourney: 16 points, three steals.
Imai, who is just a sophomore, was one of the most durable and energizing forces in the islands for a team that truly lacked a big post player. She averaged 12 points per game in BIIF play, but had her best outputs against some of the state’s best teams. She had 12 points, nine rebounds and six steals against Campbell in an opening-round win. She also had 14 points, 12 boards, four assists and three steals in a quarterfinal win over Kalani.
The remainder of the honorable mention list is deep with talented guards and forwards with a sprinkling of post scorers.
HONORABLE MENTION
Kelsie Imai, Waiakea
Tori Maeda, ‘Iolani
Logan Luke, Kalani
Saydee Aganus, Kamehameha-Hawaii
Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, ‘Iolani
Dahlis Sablay, Mililani
Gieani Balino, Campbell
Chayse Milne, Maryknoll
Moe Notoa, Maryknoll
Alayna Akiona, Kalani
Jazelle Dorser, Waiakea
Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua
Kellie Okamura, ‘Iolani
Kawena Kaohimaunu, Konawaena
Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk, Kamehameha
Delylah Sanerivi, Moanalua
Taegan Keep, Kauai
Brillie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific
Ashley Taylor Peralta, Kamehameha-Maui
Mata Sagapolutele, St. Francis
Julia Fisher, Le Jardin
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