Mere minutes after taking a major shellacking, Lia Galdeira held her head high.

Her right eyelid was cut. Bruises were all over her head and body. The visitors from Brea Olinda (Calif.) pummeled Konawaena — and especially Galdeira — mentally and physically. Galdeira was willing to stand up to the bigger team, flying all over the court, attacking the basket.

She paid a price. But what hurt more than the wounds was the fact that Konawaena lost on that December afternoon at the ‘Iolani Classic. The junior phenom was still fired up after the game. Upset with the loss. Disappointed that her teammates didn’t stand up more to Brea Olinda.

The next morning, though, her wounds hurt less. She was back to her old self, joking with her friends. Wildcats for life. She is, and probably will always be, a comedienne at heart. But she may have learned something more important — she sets the tone. While point guard Dawnyelle Awa provides a steadying influence, Galdeira’s spark is what gets Konawaena’s engine roaring.

Konawaena has won 14 games in a row since that loss. That includes a stunning 46-42 win over Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) the day after the loss to Brea Olinda.

The ‘Cats rarely lose, but they won’t forget. Last year’s loss to Lahainaluna in the state final served as fuel for this year’s theme: "Unfinished Business."

After winning the state crown in 2009, then falling short — after leading for nearly the entire game — against Lahainaluna, the Wildcats have been merciless in their mission. Their list of roundball demolition includes nearly all of the state’s Top 10 teams, from a 68-20 win over the same Lunas, who played without returning player of the year Maiki Viela, to a 25-point win over ‘Iolani, a 38-point win over Farrington and a 28-point win over Mid-Pacific.

Konawaena’s average margin of victory in Big Island Interscholastic Federation play, 56 points, is wide enough. It could be more if not for a running-clock policy in nearly all those games.

After waltzing through the BIIF — even the state’s No. 2 team, Waiakea, was wiped out 65-33 on Saturday, dropping it three spots in this week’s poll — Konawaena will need time to adjust to new foes this week in the Division I portion of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Championships. More likely, though, it’s everybody else who will need to adjust to the Wildcats and their frantic tempo and smothering defense.

Here’s a look at the D-I tourney’s seeded teams and opening-round pairings (records from HHSAA):

1. Konawaena (14-0)

» On paper: Over and over, Galdeira and Awa have posted double-figure single-game totals in steals both on and off the Big Island. Both are two-time All-State Fab 15 selections. Post Anuhea Wall and guard Thea Hanato-Smith are key contributors on both ends of the floor, while Courtney Kaupu and Misi U’ulopa provide a spark in secondary roles.

» The skinny: Galdeira and Awa, both rangy with quick feet and hands, are at their best in the open court. Konawaena’s man-to-man defense looks generic at first, but the Wildcats’ ability to trap anywhere is tough to prepare for even for teams with sound ballhandling.

The only question is whether Konawaena has enough confidence in its halfcourt game. But between Awa, who can score off the dribble with either hand, and Galdeira, they have plenty of go-to scoring talent.

The scary thing is, both are better 3-point shooters now as juniors.

» X factor: Wall can be a huge weapon offensively with her

midrange jumper, but she has shown a tendency to get into foul trouble. Her big-game experience is invaluable, and with most teams in a down cycle size-wise, her ability to control the paint could be an extra helping of success.

2. Lahainaluna (12-0)

» On paper: Without Viela, who has signed to play for Gonzaga next year, the Lady Lunas were erratic, but fabulously fun to watch in December. They managed to beat another young, talented team, Kamehameha, and battled ‘Iolani and Waiakea before losing to the two teams by a combined nine points.

Since Viela returned from a back injury, Lahainaluna has gained a floor leader, playmaker and go-to scorer. She’s still not at 100 percent, but managed to score 35 (including nine 3-pointers) on defending D-II state champion Molokai in an exhibition game on Saturday, a 60-41 Lunas win.

She is likely the best girls basketball player from the MIL in the past decade. Better than the fluid Kami Kapaku (Baldwin) or versatile Aina Kohler (Lahainaluna). Is she better than Molokai post Kalei Adolpho? Skill-wise, yes, but they play such different positions, it’s not an easy call.

» The skinny: They need Viela to stay healthy through this week to have a shot at defending their title. Coach Todd Rickard has always advocated uptempo pace and never fails to give the car keys to his best floor leader. Viela has help from fellow returning starter Ana Lauese, but the rest of the team is in for its first state tourney — with major playing time — in a crucial way.

The Lady Lunas are athletic enough in both the front and backcourts. Whether they can step up under pressure is a big question, but having Viela in control negates almost any opponent fixated on pressing the Lunas.

» X factor: Their athleticism and aggressiveness won’t mean a thing if they haven’t jelled by now, but Rickard has a history of getting the most out of his teams as the postseason arrives.

3. Punahou (10-2)

» On paper: In most ways, this is a classic Mike Taylor team built on work ethic, bruises and floor burns. The Buffanblu dealt with bumps in the road by improving on their weaknesses.

One game, they had 34 turnovers against ‘Iolani. The next time, they beat the Raiders and handled one of the state’s toughest fullcourt presses.

Punahou has won four games in a row, thanks in large part to the consistency of center Hailey-Ann Maeda, a high-percentage shooter in the post and midrange.

» The skinny: With Maeda commanding the low post with her footwork and shooting touch, defenses tend to pack the paint and take their chances with Punahou’s perimeter shooters.

As of late, Punahou is coming around against those tactics. Reina Furuya, a junior guard, has become a zone-buster from deep, which opens the court for midrange scorers like Mysha Sataraka, Julia Brand and Jen Ching. Any time they can get a 1-on-1 situation for Maeda, the Buffanblu have a decided edge.

» X factor: By tomorrow’s quarterfinal game, the Buffanblu will have been idle for 13 days. The earlier start for the state tourney also means that their preparation has been altered slightly by the Punahou Carnival.

4. Farrington (14-2)

» On paper: When Kirsten Liana and Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo are healthy and fresh, there is hardly another duo as dynamic. Liana combines rugged rebounding skill with a point guard’s handles, which is key for a Govs team that doesn’t have a lot of experience in the backcourt.

Tatupu-Leopoldo’s aching knees haven’t been a hindrance to her production. She scored 29 points, hitting five treys in one half, in a playoff win over Kahuku last week and continues to be the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s best wing scorer.

They’ve won four games in a row since a loss at Kaiser nearly one month ago, and Saturday’s decisive win over Kapolei gave the Govs a third OIA crown in a row.

» The skinny: Farrington got big contributions from secondary contributors like Diena Peterson, Ashley Savusa and Chastity Scanlan-Sevao in the playoffs. Double-teaming defenses will probably keep smothering Tatupu-Leopoldo and the left-handed Liana — the latter is tough on the low post. That means the younger Govs will continue to get open looks, and judging by their pressure performance against Kapolei, they’re ready.

» X factor: The Lady Govs pressed full tilt from start to finish against Kapolei. Can they do it for an entire state tourney? The athleticism and depth are there at coach Caroline Tatupu’s disposal. Whether she maintains that level of intensity is going to be an intriguing part of their strategy.

Kaiser (12-4) vs. King Kekaulike (9-4)

The rising Cougars have multiple scorers. Makana Borden is a potential double-double performer every night. Darcy Goulsby, a transfer from Mililani, is another potential double-double player who can run the break with smaller guards. The backcourt is normally solid with Meleana Adams, one of the sneakier defenders in the OIA.

The Cougars are capable of being giant killers, but their youth and inexperience can still be a flaw.

King Kekaulike (9-4 MIL) will have it tough against Kaiser, but the momentum and excitement of playing the girls basketball state tourney for the first time in the school’s 16-year history might carry it. Sharpshooter Taylor Hiraga is a spark for Na Alii’s offense, while sophomore Taylor Fernandez has proven to be a reliable scorer all season for the rising program in Upcountry Maui.

Kaimuki (9-8) vs. ‘Iolani (11-3)

These neighbors are just a block away on Date Street, but rarely meet in competition.

The Raiders are accustomed to a fast tempo and have scored in the 60s in five of their past six games. Alex Masaquel, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, has emerged as a clutch player defensively, and her ability to score on the low post has improved with age. ‘Iolani’s depth is a big part of its fullcourt pressure. Guards Kylie Maeda, Lahela Usui and Saphyre Rezentes all have big motors and scoring ability.

The Bulldogs rely on sisters Letisha Fa’asoa and Dejah Fa’asoa for offensive production. Allison Pologa is another wing player with streaky scoring ability.

Pearl City (9-8) vs. Kapolei (16-2)

The benefit of facing a familiar foe at the state tourney is a double-edged sword. The Hurricanes swept the Chargers during the regular season, though the second matchup was much closer.

Sabrina Angle is one of the OIA’s top scorers. She got help from Adrienne Jean Sylva and Dani Magana, and the return of Shawna Angle is another help for Pearl City coach Mike Morton’s squad.

The Hurricanes are enjoying their finest season in girls basketball. Kawehi Hagi and Diamond Carter are combo guards, while Krystal Jacobs sets the table as a point guard. Toe Motu and Kaity Wills are tall and athletic posts. The Hurricanes struggled against Farrington’s fullcourt pressure last week, but when they protect the ball in transition, few teams can keep pace.

Kahuku (8-9) vs. Waiakea (13-1)

The most entertaining opening-round game may be this one, pitting the state’s No. 5-ranked team, Waiakea, against the athletic Red Raiders.

Waiakea is small, but fast. Alyssa Ferreira and Ciera Pacheco have stepped up as key scorers in coach Grant Kauhi’s run-and-gun system. Sefulu Faavae, a sophomore, is their best low-post scoring option.

The Warriors are the only local team to lose to Konawaena by less than double-digits.

The Lady Raiders are coming together in the postseason. After struggling early on, they won four in a row late in the season, including their first three games of the OIA playoffs.

Post Joshlyn Noga is a smooth, physical scorer who jump-starts Kahuku’s offense. Kahuku’s spunky defense is sparked by Fiatagata Tailele-Latu, while Rachel Tailele conducts the fast break.

When defenses zone against Kahuku, spot-up shooters Jessica Falemalu and Temutisa Te’o get plenty of open looks. If they get going early, Noga will have an easier battle in the post.