This may be the quietest of Bobbie Awa’s Konawaena teams.
Quiet and deadly.
The Wildcats smothered the normally high-scoring ‘Iolani Raiders, forcing the ILH runner-up into 2-for-16 shooting from 3-point range for a 47-37 win on Thursday night.
Top-seeded Konawaena (18-1), using a balanced, patient attack against ‘Iolani’s man defense, advanced to the final of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships.
"I don’t know if you even call it comfortable," Awa said of her team’s poised performance. "They’re not taking anything for granted. They get up and they play hard all game."
Senior leadership was key once again for Konawaena, which escaped with a narrow 40-38 win over Mililani in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Hoku Liftee scored 10 points, including 5-for-6 shooting at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, for Konawaena. Courtney Kaupu, a 5-foot-10 senior, had 11 points. Three of her five steals came in the fourth quarter.
The two seniors combined for six consecutive free throws down the stretch as the ‘Cats moved one game closer to their third state crown in a row.
They also got super play from their super freshmen, Chanelle Molina and Ihi Victor. Molina led all scorers with 12 points, including eight in the second quarter. Victor, a 5-8 forward, added 10 points.
Playing their third game in as many days, the Raiders shot 35 percent from the field (15-for-43). They battled for a 23-19 edge on the boards, but committed 18 turnovers against Konawaena’s sticky 2-3 matchup zone.
Jade Botelho had a team-high 12 points with five boards, and Sheyla Pua Kahalehoe added 11 points for ‘Iolani (15-7).
The Raiders’ dominance on the offensive glass diminished in this game. Masaquel had 11 offensive boards in wins over Kaimuki and Lahainaluna. This time, she was on the 3-point arc some of the time and wound up with four offensive boards and 11 total caroms.
"This was a frustrating loss. We didn’t really play together," said Masaquel, who had seven points. "Coach Bobbie is a really smart coach. That’s all you can ask for, is to play the best."
"We knew about Alex and Jade, and Abrianna (Johnson-Edwards) played well against us last year," Awa said, referring to last year’s state final against the Raiders.
For a second night in a row, the Wildcats relied on that zone.
"Pua’s a good shooter. In the ILH, they play a lot of man defense. We didn’t want to get in foul trouble."
The Wildcats built a 21-11 lead in the second quarter after Molina hit two foul shots and a 3-point bomb from the right wing. ‘Iolani kept it close into the third quarter, pulling within 31-26 on a 3-pointer by Kahalehoe.
Konawaena then pulled away with a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Kaupu fed Victor for a baseline swisher, and Victor returned the favor for a layup by Kaupu.
"We talked about extending the zone more because of their back screen," Awa said. "On offense, we said layups only."
‘Iolani got a post bucket by Botelho but otherwise was ice cold against the zone, scoring just two points in the first six minutes of the fourth.
The win by the Wildcats is believed to be their 10th in a row, including preseason tournaments, against ‘Iolani going back to the 2008-09 season.
"They were always a good team to begin with. I think we were frazzled a little," Botelho said. "They penetrated and got the and-1s. But our team has been through so much this season. I couldn’t ask for more."
The Wildcats shot 46 percent from the field (13-for-28) and 61 percent from the line (19-for-31).
At Blaidell
| ‘Iolani (11-4) |
9 |
8 |
11 |
9 |
— |
37 |
| Konawaena (12-0) |
14 |
10 |
9 |
14 |
— |
47 |
‘IOLANI–Pua Kahalehoe 11, Bailey Choy 0, Klein Masutani 0, Brooke Maeda 3, Sierra Buscher 0, Abrianna Johnson-Edwards 4, Alex Masaquel 7, Alyssa Liilii 0, Taimane Passi 0, Jade Botelho 12.
KONAWAENA–Hokulani Liftee 10, Chanelle Molina 12, Syleesia Jose 0, Mercedes Victor 10, Taylor Awa 0, Melissa Simon 4, Katie Andrade 0, Zoe Acdal 0, Courtney Kaupu 11.
3-point goals–‘Iolani 2 (Maeda, Kahalehoe). Konawaena 2 (Victor, Molina).
DIVISION I CONSOLATION
Lahainaluna 52, Mililani 45
At Blaisdell
| Lahainaluna (13-1 ) |
12 |
13 |
15 |
12 |
— |
52 |
| Mililani (13-3) |
14 |
13 |
7 |
11 |
— |
45 |
LAHAINALUNA–Fa-Ko-fiema Hafoka 6, Jade Chihara 8, Taylor Bates 3, Amanda Matsuda 0, Erlanda Basques 0, Keleah-Aiko Koloi 10, Lindsay Bates 2, Aloha Salem 8, Matafolau Hafoka 4, Petiola Tuakoi 11, Andilyn Alavazo 0.
MILILANI–Jerika Dacuycuy 0, Kaylee Torres 6, Reiko Naniole 0, Kapili Amamalin 6, Alex Ancheta 0, Jamie Yuki 0, Mikaela Limper 3, Kira Arruda 11, Zyriana Davies 1, Summer Bolibol 0, Nayla Long 16, Shantell Appleby 2.
3-point goals–Lahainaluna 4 (Salem 2, T. Bates, Chihara). Mililani 4 (Arruda 3, Torres).
Leilehua 45, Maui 31
At Blaisdell
| Leilehua (13-2 ) |
5 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
— |
45 |
| Maui (12-3) |
10 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
— |
31 |
LEILEHUA–Chlose Pojas 0, Ariel Cabello 0, Krizzle Calip 0, Jazmyn Dangaran 2, Jerri Maluyo 8, Tatiana Caravallo 0, Carissa McBride 9, Hannah Coffin 0, Tiffany Reyher 6, Elyshia Bowden 19, Deja Bryant 0, Tywanna Abbott 0, Azah Quach 1, De’Andrea Carson 0.
MAUI–Jasmine Cabajar 0, Liana Tanaka 5, Jordyn Vega 2, Trina Valencia 6, Jamilyn Tamura 0, Jo’voni Shimabukuro 1, Kuulei Bailey 0, Jenicca Tamura 4, Nicole Pagan-Eldredge 1, Brittnie Suda-Molina 0, Emma Hanlon 2, Christina Lotulelei 10.
3-point goals–Leilehua none. Maui 2 (Tanaka, Valencia).
Roosevelt 40, Kaimuki 35
At Blaisdell
| Roosevelt (15-2) |
12 |
8 |
7 |
13 |
|
40 |
| Kaimuki (10-8) |
10 |
7 |
10 |
8 |
|
35 |
ROOSEVELT–Sharice Kawakami 11, Tavae Sina Sofa 10, Starr Rivera 9, Kaohi Kapiko 0, Devyn Kauhi 4, Keala Quinlan 2, Chelsea Wong 0, Tatiana Mariano 4, Stacia Matsumura 0, Alexis Bennett 0, Krystle Chung 0.
KAIMUKI–Valerie Wilson 4, Canny Aikau 5, Seplynn Aikau 2, Arlyn Edwin 4, Alison Pologa 13, Alexa Miller 0, Princess Fa’afetai Lauvao 7.
3-point goals–Roosevelt 5 (Kawakami 3, Rivera, Sina Sofa). Kaimuki 4 (S. Aikau, Edwin, Pologa, Wilson).
DIVISION II SEMIFINALS
Honoka’a 58, Kauai 55
Shayla Ignacio scored 16 points and Hunter Liftee added 14 as the Dragons squeezed out a win over the Red Raiders in the semifinals.
Kristle Henry led Kauai with 21 points in the loss. Honoka’a will face Kamehameha-Hawaii for the State Championshiop title today.
At Kalani
| Honoka’a (10-3) |
8 |
20 |
14 |
16 |
— |
58 |
| Kauai (9-1) |
12 |
12 |
13 |
18 |
— |
55 |
HONOKA’A–Shereena Bird 0, Yvonne Daniels 4, Keana Kaohimaunu 10, Hunter Liftee 14, Kizzah Maltezo 3, Shayla Ignacio 16, Jasmine Castro 8, Shemika Frazier 3.
KAUAI–Grace Peralta 0, Ashley Ramelb 0, Kristle Henry 21, Shaylee Huni 2, Casey Anacieto 17, Riaana Ralston 12, Kawehi Louis-Diamond 3.
3-point goals–Honoka’a 6 (Ignacio 3, Kaohimaunu 2, Frazier). Kauai 5 (Anacieto 3, Henry 2).
Kamehameha-Hawaii 73, Hanalani 53
Riana Arima scored 32 points as the Warriors dominated the Royals to advance to the championship game. Sarah Liva scored a game-high 34 points or Hanalani in a losing effort.
At Kalani
| Hanalani (9-4) |
8 |
17 |
16 |
12 |
|
53 |
| KS-Hawai’i (11-3) |
15 |
20 |
18 |
20 |
|
73 |
HANALANI–Lyna Kehler 3, Catherine Armstrong 9, Brittany Williams 2, Lexi Hee 0, Keani Sato 0, Dylan McCorquodale 5, Kara Tanaka 0, Sabrina Stratton 0, Sarah Liva 34.
KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI’I–Casey Poe 22, Kiera Ramirez 4, Caitlin Poe 2, Namele Naipo-Arsiga 6, Gabby Victor 0, Kyla Aguiar 0, Riana Arima 32, Chyann Gabriel 3, Alyssa Asuncion 0, Harley Woolsey 4.
3-point goals–Hanalani 1 (McCorquodale). Kamehameha-Hawaii 5 (Arima 4, Ramirez).
Division II consolation
University 51, Kalaheo 34
At Kaimuki
| University (10-3 ) |
8 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
— |
51 |
| Kalaheo (8-8 ) |
4 |
17 |
6 |
7 |
— |
34 |
UNIVERSITY–Kawai Crisotomo 0, Sue Moraga 5, Malia Parpana 0, Markayisha Masani 18, Kianalei Machida 7, Paige Salavea 0, Skyler Chun-Ming 4, Michelle Au 0, Brooke Kodama 13, Meagan Mahiko 4.
KALAHEO–Jayla Tamashiro 13, Tara Takata 5, Lindsay Unsell 0, Pauline Gachalian 0, Shauntay Sugse 0, Ulu Perry 0, Tilani Puaauli 3, Esther Llab 0, Sierra Freitas 0, Jade Martins 2, Rebekah Kahlbaum 4, Gabby Clark 7.
3-point goals–University 8 (Masani 3, Kodama 3, Moraga, Machida). Kalaheo 5 (Tamashiro 3, Puaauli, Takata).
Kailua 56, Hawaii Baptist 40
At Kaimuki
| Kailua (9-8) |
9 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
— |
56 |
| Hawaii Baptist (10-2) |
8 |
4 |
10 |
18 |
— |
40 |
KAILUA–Taufau Williams 11, Asia-Lynn Butin 0, Sharray Revuelto-Racoma 0, Kalia Ripley 1, Keala Kaio-Perez 9, Kahea Makua 0, Nia Fealofini 0, Briana Kassebeer 15, Choryn Beall 0, Kahoa Mikaele 7, Patria Vaimaona 13, Sierra Yamaguchi 0.
HAWAII BAPTIST–Sara Utsugi 0, Jennifer Gonsalves 0, Stephanie Dang 5, Kelsey Bajet 0, Nicole Lope 0, Torie Miyoi 0, Kainani Gruspe 0, Rylie Wada 3, Hayley Dixon 5, Lauren Sumida 9, Domonique Hart 0, Jaryn Ramos 0, Jenee Brown 18, Megan Horita, Kaily Lum 0.
3-point goals–Kailua 2 (Kaio-Perez, Kassebeer). Hawaii Baptist 3 (Dang, Dixon, Brown).
McKinley 68, Saint Francis 38
At Kalani
| Saint Francis (9-6) |
9 |
6 |
8 |
15 |
|
38 |
| McKinley (10-6) |
16 |
19 |
22 |
11 |
|
68 |
MCKINLEY–Mariz Navarro 18, Anna-Marie Manog 0, Miranda Schmillen 9, Tiare Sugui 14, Chealse Tafai 0, Jazmayne Williams 6, Taisha Thomas 13, Laika Aragon 6, Tinousi Mulitauopele 0, Deborah Malaga 2.
ST. FRANCIS–Kelli Okubo 0, Alissa Pacarro 7, Hunter Roberts 5, Tori Keliia’a 5, Taylor Bellevou 5, Lacey Satele 4, Ashley Kahape-Wagner 4, Dayna Romero 0, Rachel Carlos 8.
3-point goals–McKinley 9 (Sugui 4, Navarro 3, Aragon, Schmillen). St. Francis 4 (Pacarro 2, Bellevou, Keliia’a).
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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM