Konawaena • Sports: Basketball, volleyball • GPA: 3.4 • College: Washington State (basketball)

This was no ordinary sprain, more than just a little lump on the ankle for quiet, resilient Dawnyelle Awa.

An entire season of anticipation and hope was on the cusp of tipping over into disappointment, all because of an injury at practice before the state tourney.

With a little shiatsu treatment on a baseball-sized lump on the ankle, Awa helped the ‘Cats advance, one win at a time, with their floor leader delivering her impeccable no-look passes to backdoor cutters, grabbing big rebounds against taller opponents and stealing the ball from some of the best point guards in the state.

In the state final, she played 30 of 32 minutes and helped the Wildcats rally past ‘Iolani for their third state crown in four years. A 26-3 record as a senior included wins over Bishop Gorman (Nev.), Oregon City and Brea Olinda (Calif.). She was named most valuable player of the ‘Iolani Classic last winter and was selected Gatorade Player of the Year in Hawaii.

The state title was a fitting climax to a career loaded with highlights for the sometimes bashful senior. Her talent and hustle did almost all the talking.

"The thing I love about her is her demeanor in life with her friends, her coaches, her teammates and her family," said former Punahou coach Mike Taylor, who faced Konawaena many times over the past decade, often with a state title at stake. "She enjoys life. On the court, she’s like a tiger, but her emotions don’t change. The game comes so easy to her. You always want a leader like that with that kind of passion to win."

The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. Those numbers were stunted to an extent because Konawaena’s regular season in the BIIF was dotted with blowout games that often had Awa and her fellow starters on the bench in the second half. In her four seasons, Konawaena went 110-8 against all competition, including 49-0 in the BIIF.