‘Iolani pounds it inside to beat Maui

Top-seeded ‘Iolani used its size and depth to beat injury-depleted Maui 50-35 in a quarterfinal game of the Heide & Cooke/HHSAA girls state basketball tournament Wednesday at McKinley High School’s gym.

The Raiders, who have won the past three Division I state titles, will meet Campbell in a semifinal at 5:30 p.m. today at McKinley.

The Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions jumped to a 7-0 lead and never trailed the Sabers of the Maui Interscholastic League. ‘Iolani improved to 18-5, while Maui finished its season at 13-4.

Post Callie Pieper was game-high with 16 points, but four other Raiders scored a basket each after Maui closed to 16-15 early in the second quarter. Mia Frye’s driving layup, a low-post power bucket from Mele Sake, a fastbreak layup by Kanoe Hanohano and Haylie-Anne Ohta’s 3-pointer put ‘Iolani’s diverse offense on display, and gave it a 25-15 lead.

Yet another player, guard Paige Oh, was the Raiders’ second-leading scorer with 11 points.

“Everyone on our team has the ability to handle the ball and to score,” Pieper said.

‘Iolani coach Dean Young was satisfied, but not surprised by the contributions from so many to the key run.

“That’s our whole philosophy,” Young said. “Move without the ball, create opportunities for your teammates.”

Maui never got closer than six points after that, including a 25-19 halftime deficit. Jacy Anne Dela Cruz netted 11 of her team-high 15 points before intermission, including a 3-pointer to complete the first half scoring.

But Pieper took over in the third period with four baskets in the paint, and ‘Iolani led 45-28 with a quarter left to play.

“We challenged the bigs at halftime and told them this is their game,” Young said. “And we told the guards the ball needs to go into the post every possession.”

The Raiders outrebounded the Bears 38-27. Sake was game-high with 13; she and Pieper each grabbed four offensive boards.

While ‘Iolani had a first-round bye, Maui beat Radford 48-42 in an opening round game Monday. It was a costly victory though, as the Sabers lost two starters — forward Kiana Manuel and point guard Lyndee Sabas — to injuries.

“They both play major minutes for us,” Maui coach Victor Aguirre said.

Jordyn Luna, who led the Sabers with 15 points in the Radford win, had nine against ‘Iolani, while shooting 1-for-9 on 3-pointers.

“Jacy and Jordyn have been together forever. There’s baby pictures of them together. If one’s down the other picks it up,” Aguirre said. “I really think we gave them the best we could, considering we were shorthanded. They (‘Iolani) are shooters. Not just one or two, but a whole team of them. When we overshifted it got them open shots.”

Other than Pieper’s 8-for-11 from short range, the Raiders weren’t super accurate, especially from long range. But their 43-percent shooting for the game from the floor overall was much better than Maui’s 26 percent.

STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL / D-I CAPSULES

Konawaena 47, Moanalua 34

Haikela Hiraishi scored 11 points and the No. 1-ranked and state second-seeded Wildcats got balanced soring in beating the host Na Menehune in the Heide & Cook Girls State Basketball Championship on Wednesday.

Konawaena jumped ahead early, taking a 16-9 lead after the first period and a 32-16 lead at halftime. Moanalua cut it to 35-26 heading into the final quarter but the perennial Big Island power held firm.

Braelyn Kauhi had eight points and six rebounds and Kaitea Galletes added six points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats (18-3), who face Kamehameha of the ILH in today’s semifinals at 7:30 p.m. at McKinley gym.

Braylee Riturban and Akaecia Matea each scored 10 and Shailoh Liilii added nine points and 11 rebounds for Moanalua (17-7).

Kamehameha 64, Lahainaluna 38

Rylee Paranada was 7-for-11 from behind the arc, scoring 22 points, and the Warriors connected on 12 of 24 3-pointers to surge past the Lunas in a quarterfinal game at Moanalua gym.

Kamehameha (14-10) advances to play Konawaena in the semifinals.

Nihoaokealii Dunn chipped in 14 points and 14 rebounds as Kamehameha outrebounded Lahainaluna 43-26.

Skylyn Fangarang scored 13 points for the Lunas (13-3), who remained close at 16-12 after the first quarter, only to see the Warriors outscore the Lunas 33-13 over the next two quarters.

Campbell 64, Waiakea 53

Aliyah Bantolina scored a game-high 21 points and the Sabers (16-4) used an 18-8 second-quarter run to knock off the Warriors (14-5).

Six different Campbell players hit 3s as the Sabers shot 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from behind the arc. Faith Mersburgh and Julien Parado had 11 points apiece. Campbell plays ‘Iolani in a semifinal today at 5:30 p.m. at McKinley gym.

Waiakea’s Pua’ena Herrington led three Warriors in double figures with 18 points.

STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL / D-II CAPSULES

Hawaii Prep 68, Molokai 44

Brooke Samura was unstoppable, scoring 38 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, to lead Ka Makani to victory over the Lady Farmers in the girls state Division I first-round game at Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

Samura hit 14 of 27 field-goal attempts and was 9-for-11 from the line. She gathered seven offensive rebounds among her total of 14. Ali Wawner added 24 points, hitting 8-for-18 from the field while also grabbing seven rebounds for HPA (10-4), which will play No. 1 seed Hawaii Baptist in a quarterfinal today at 5 p.m.

Kaia Yamashita and Leila Hooper-Phifer each scored 13 and Khloe Bicoy added 12 for Molokai (7-4), which plays Honokaa in a consolation game at 11 a.m. today.

Sacred Hearts 63, Castle 28

Nahenahe Alo scored 22 points in 22 minutes and Rory Ann Redila added 11 points, six rebounds and six steals to lead the Lancers (11-3) over the Knights (5-9).

Alo shot 10-for-15 from the field and added four assists and four rebounds without a turnover for Sacred Hearts, which will play No. 2 seed Kamehameha-Hawaii today at 7 p.m.

Dorian Pokipala led Castle with 12 points.

Pearl City 38, Honokaa 37

Kaiesha DeWeever led all scorers with 21 points and the Chargers (8-6) survived two missed free throws by the Dragons (8-6) in the final second to pull out the win.

DeWeever added four rebounds and two steals before fouling out.

Kristen and Ragasa led three Dragons in double figures with 13 points and eight rebounds. Honokaa led 23-18 entering the final quarter before a rally by the Chargers, who play No. 4 seed Kapaa today at 3 p.m.

DeWeever had 12 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Hanalani 62, McKinley 23

Ellana Klemp had 17 points and nine rebounds and Piha’eu Akiona added nine points and 12 board to lead the Royals (10-3) over the Tigers (5-10).

Hanalani, which led 39-9 at halftime, advanced to play No. 3 seed Lanai today at 1