If it isn’t the greatest victory in the history of King Kekaulike girls basketball, it’s awfully close.

Brandi Carillo scored 17 points and Dasya Tavares scored all 15 of her points in the second half as King Kekaulike rallied from a17-point, third-quarter deficit for a stunning 54-51 win over Moanalua in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Division I Girls Basketball State Championships.

"We’ve been down like that, so we knew we could make it back up," said Carillo, who added five steals and four rebounds.

She finished the game despite a leg injury.

"We just knew that No. 1 (LaChae McColor) was their top scorer," Carillo added.

Now King Kekaulike has a big task with No. 3 seed Punahou this afternoon at Blaisdell Arena.

"I’m excited. A lot of people don’t think we have a chance, but I think if we really try, we can get somewhere," Carillo said.

King Kekaulike was 9-5 in league play. Na Alii never lost their intensity on defense as coach Cy Peters consistently instructed his team all game long.

"These girls, we’ve gone through this all year. They don’t quit. They keep playing," Peters said. "Dasya really stepped up. We put her on No. 1."

King Kekaulike closed the game with an 8-2 run, including two free throws by Carillo for a 50-49 lead with 2:22 left.

A follow shot by Keahi-lele Roy kept Moanalua close at 52-51. Carillo then drove through the paint for a layup and a 54-51 lead with 45 seconds to go.

Moanalua missed a couple of 3-point tries, then scrambled to force a jump ball and regain possession with nine ticks remaining.

With time running out and Na Alii crowding the 3-point line, Moanalua tried to score inside, where Cherie Bento’s layup missed.

King Kekaulike’s Linzee Buwa missed two foul shots with one second left, but Moanalua never got up a last-second shot.

A crowd of about 200 watched at McKinley Student Council Gymnasium as the MIL runner-up fell behind 27-10 in the first half, looking completely outmatched by Moanalua, the OIA Red third-place team.

Na Menehune still led big, 34-17, after McColor (24 points, 10 rebounds) sank four free throws in a row to start the second half. From there, King Kekaulike’s persistent fullcourt press — and some poor shot selection by Moanalua — did the trick.

Brooks Carillo scored on a steal and added a 3-pointer, and after Tavares swished her first trey of the game from the corner, Na Alii were within 42-31 late in the third.

Moanalua went scoreless for nearly three minutes to start the fourth quarter as a combination of steals and 3s brought all momentum to King Kekaulike.

The team from Pukalani, Maui, finally went ahead on a 3-pointer by Tavares for a 46-45 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Moanalua regained the lead on a follow shot by McColor, and after the senior forward hustled for another putback, Na Menehune seemed to have regained control with a 49-46 lead.

But Moanalua’s cold shooting continued in the fourth — 3-for-23 — as their best shooter, McColor, didn’t get many touches down the stretch.

MOANALUA–LaChae McColor 24, Jasmine Sagaysay 0, Sydnie Canencia 0, Ciera O’Brien 4, Keahi-lele Roy 6, Skyena Antolin 0, Hokukealani Mateo 6, Dasialia Julian 0, Jazmina Lafitaga 7, Cherie Bento 4.

3-point goals–King Kekaulike 4 (Tavares 2, Carillo, Buwa). Moanalua 1 (Keahi-Iele Roy).

Hilo 62, Leilehua 34

Aliyah Pana poured in 16 points to lead a balanced attack for the Vikings, who dominated from the start.

While Pana was busy in the post, her younger sister, Alexis, nailed three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points and three steals.

Aliyah Pana, a senior, is normally a slasher from the top or wing.

"We’ve kind of worked on it this past week because we know teams are going to be bigger than us," said Pana, who used a mix of fine footwork in the post.

Sharlei Graham-Bernisto added 10 points, while Shalyn Guthier had a solid all-around game with seven points, five rebounds and five assists.

"We only go two deep at guard, so we tried to pack it in, but they kicked it out and made shots with a hand in their face," Leilehua coach Elroy Dumlao said. "The speed and chemistry they’ve got, it’s the same team from last year. They’re just a well-coached team."

Last year’s Vikings reached the semifinals while using nonstop defensive pressure and an unending attack to the basket in transition.

"It’s a good way to start," Hilo coach Ben Pana said. "Our aggressiveness, coming out in the first quarter, the last five games we’ve been coming out really slow, so it’s good to see them play well from the start. It’s good to see them composed tonight. They got kind of hectic against Konawaena. It’s nice to see Aliyah take leadership."

The Vikings were 11-2 in league play, including a heartbreaking 46-45 loss to Konawaena in the title game last week.

That makes today’s matchup with Roosevelt, another fast-breaking, relentless team, quite interesting.

"They’re aggressive like us and both teams can shoot lights out.," Pana said. "Tomorrow, we’re going to have to bring our ‘A’ game."

The Vikings were hot from the field early Friday, shooting 9-for-12 in the first quarter en route to a 28-9 lead.

HILO–Chailey Cablais 4, Alexis Pana 14, Alyssa Pereira 0, Sharlei Graham-Bernisto 10, Aliyah Pana 16, Cierra Kelii 4, Shayln Guthier 7, Amber Vaughn 2, Kaily Harris 2, Kaiana Seguban-Yamabe 1, Cherish Quiocho 2, Faith Loeak 0.

LEILEHUA–Shaylee Todani 0, Chloe Pojas 6, Victoria Wright 0, Jerri Maluyo 7, Tatiana Caravallo 0, Chyel Palmer 3, Tiffany Reyher 9, Deja Bryant 0, Joslyn Kikila 0, Mereseleisa McKenzie 6, Azah Quach 3, Elisha Levasa 0.

3-point goals–Hilo 4 (Ale. Pana 3, Ali. Pana). Leilehua 5 (Reyher 3, Pojas 2).

OTHER DIVISION I GAMES

Maryknoll 47, Kailua 33

Alexis Delorio scored 11 points as the Spartans defeated the Surfriders.

Taufau Williams lead Kailua with 14 points.

KAILUA–Taufau Williams 14, Keala Kaio-Perez 2, Kainani Peters 0, Leilani Lastimosa 2, Tara Takata 4, Kahea Makua 0, Christine  Atonio 0, Saje-Kawehi Perry 3, Bridget Pulusila 0, Kahoa Mikaele 1, Patria Vaimoana 7.

MARYKNOLL–Amber Bustamante 2, Alexis Delorio 11, Maile Goodin 3, Maya Rodriguez-Chang 2, Maia Laboy 4, Cianna Ochoco 2, Kaile Cambra 6, Maegen Martin 5, Lindsey Lee 3, Siena Shupe 9.

3-point goals–Kailua 1 (Perry). Maryknoll 2 (Goodin, Shupe).

Mililani 54, Radford 39

Sarah Liva scored 18 points and Mikaela Limper added 12 to lead the Trojans past the Rams.

Jasmine Moody had 16 points to lead Radford in a losing effort.

RADFORD–Chloe Slocomb 0, Courtney McCreary 12, Kristin Abad 0, Jazmyn Peralta 2, Jasmine Moody 16, Jessyca Wofford 4, Deja Tavale 3, Kennedy Johnson 2.

MILILANI–Jerika Dacuycuy 0, Kayla Torres 0, Velisa Meleisea 2, Kristen Tamagawa 0, Jamie Yuki 3, Mikaela Limper 12, Shantel Appleby 10, Summer Bolibol 9, Sarah Liva 18.

3-point goals–Radford 3 (McCreary 2, Tavale). Mililani 3 (Bolibol, Limper, Yuki)