Konawaena rallies to win

The ‘Iolani Raiders picked quite the time to play, arguably, their best game of the season.

It still wasn’t enough to snuff out the Konawaena dynasty. The top-seeded Wildcats rallied from an 11-point deficit for a decisive 56-45 victory to claim the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championship on Friday night.

A raucous crowd of 2,047 watched at Blaisdell Arena as Lia Galdeira tallied 21 points and eight rebounds, and injured teammate Dawnyelle Awa had 12 points and six assists in the comeback win. Forward Courtney Kaupu was key with 10 points, six boards and three blocks against ‘Iolani’s talented young front line.

“ ‘Iolani wanted us to run at their rhythm and they had it for a while, but we settled down,” Galdeira said. “Our (defensive) intensity is built in. It doesn’t happen all game, but when it comes, it’s on. I feel good.”

Washington State can feel good, too. The dynamic duo of Awa and Galdeira signed to play for the Cougars next season.

Kylie Maeda completed her career with 18 points, including 4-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Abrianna Johnson-Edwards added 14 points for second-seeded ‘Iolani (19-4).

“The girls executed the game plan for the most part and Konawaena is a very good team,” ‘Iolani coach Eddie Maruyama said. “Their role players really stepped up. I’m proud of our team for playing ‘One Team’ basketball.”

Konawaena (26-3 overall) won its third state title in four years of varsity play for Galdeira and Awa, who were 110-8 against all competition. The Wildcats now have five state crowns in the past nine seasons under coach Bobbie Awa.

“I feel great. Every year, it’s special, but it’s a little more because it’s Dawnyelle’s senior year. The girls are wonderful,” said Coach Awa, who stayed calm through the storm. “I believe in them. We just had to make corrections.”

The play of Dawnyelle, Coach Awa’s daughter, was key. As the point guard and glue, she seemed shaky early, falling down on a defensive cover and air-balling a quick 3-point shot. But that turned out to be about rushing. A morning shiatsu session on her ankle — the one with a baseball-sized swelling — made a big difference, the senior said.

“I came out babying it a little bit. It hurt a little bit, but we taped so much tape on it, I couldn’t feel it,” she said.

Konawaena’s second-half defense, a swarming man-to-man effort, yielded eight steals that turned the tide.

The momentum swing began before that, though, when Hoku Liftee hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to bring the Wildcats within 26-21 at the half.

“I stepped back. I thought it was going to get blocked,” said Liftee, who played with a heavily taped left hand.

“Hoku’s shot, that changed everything,” Kaupu said.

Early in the third quarter, the Wildcats then got within two on Galdeira’s 3-pointer from the top, and their following of about 200 fans got into the game in a big way.

‘Iolani, which got nine first-half points from Johnson-Edwards, struggled as Konawaena’s defense picked up the intensity. Seven turnovers in the third quarter against Konawaena’s double-team traps left the Raiders scoreless for the final 5-plus minutes of the quarter.

Diving on every loose ball, the Wildcats tied the game at 32-all on a baseline jumper by Galdeira. Then Awa found Galdeira open for a layup to give the ‘Cats their first lead since the first minute of play, 34-32, late in the third.

‘Iolani pulled within 36-35 on Maeda’s 3-pointer from the corner early in the fourth quarter.

But from there, Konawaena never relinquished the lead. The Raiders stayed close as Maeda hit her fourth trey to make it 43-40 with 3:55 remaining.

However, Konawaena went on a 7-0 run, buoyed by two key steals by Galdeira on double teams. After Awa swished two foul shots with 1:21 to go, Konawaena led 50-40 and the game was out of reach.

Konawaena shot 38 percent from the field against ‘Iolani’s man and zone defenses, but shot 91 percent from the foul line (20-for-22) and outrebounded the Raiders 28-22. Thirteen of Konawaena’s caroms were on the offensive glass.

The Raiders, champions of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, shot 44 percent from the field (17-for-39), but turned the ball over 21 times against Kona’s halfcourt pressure.

Leighlani Paselio scored 26 points, including four in overtime, as the Red Raiders outlasted the Lunas.

Paselio’s 3-pointer from the left baseline tied it at 52-52 with 36 seconds left in regulation.

In overtime, both of Paselio’s field goals came off assists from Fiatagata Tailele-Latu.

Pati Anae made two free throws, and Tyra Williams had a bucket in the 4-minute extra session.

Anae had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Red Raiders.

Lahainaluna, which led 48-41 with 2:13 left in regulation, got 14 points from Jade Chihara.

Glelynn Casil finished with 12 points, and Erlanda Basques scored all 12 of her points in the fourth period.

Kapili Amamalin scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half and the Trojans went on a huge run to open the third quarter against the Chargers.

Nayla Long added 10 points and eight rebounds for Mililani, which went on a 16-1 run to open the second half for a 31-11 lead with 1:10 left. Amamalin scored six points during the spurt.

Pearl City’s Sabrina Angle scored nine points.