Another week, another sweep for No. 1 ‘Iolani.
The Raiders outlasted San Juan Hills (Calif.) in overtime 53-49, then rolled over Sierra Pacific (Calif.), 52-32; San Clemente (Calif.), 48-30; and Moanalua, 64-33, to finish 4-0 at Punahou’s Pa‘ani Invitational.
The Raiders were not a unanimous pick by coaches and media at No. 1, however. Kamehameha, which surprised Arizona powerhouse Hamilton to win the I Mua Invitational crown on Saturday, collected two out of the 10 first-place votes. The Warriors overpowered Kahuku, 58-35, and Miami (Ariz.), 74-43, before toppling the giants of Hamilton, 57-50.
Nihoa Dunn was superb in the tournament, scoring 18 points in a tough battle with Hamilton’s 6-foot-6 center, Callie Hinder.
Konawaena went 4-0 at the Pa‘ani tournament and remained at No. 3 this week.
Waiakea, which led Hamilton 19-5 before losing 60-50, in the I Mua opening round, stayed at No. 4. The Warriors played five games in all last week, going 4-1.
The ‘Iolani Prep Classic tips off on Thursday. Kamehameha plays Sidwell Friends (Md.) at 3:30 p.m. Sidwell Friends is ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps national rankings and the ESPN preseason Top 25.
No 7 Kahuku battles Clovis West (Calif.) at 5 p.m., followed by host ‘Iolani and Kailua at 6:30 p.m. No. 6 Campbell battles national powerhouse Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at 8 p.m.
Sierra Canyon is ranked No. 7 in the MaxPreps national rankings and No. 3 in the ESPN Top 25.
Bonus shots: The late Bobbie Ajifu was honored at the I Mua Invitational. The longtime referee was named basketball official of the year in 2023. A Bobbie Ajifu Referee Award will be presented at the tournament each year. … Hawaii Prep senior guard Brooke Samura hasn’t missed a beat since completing volleyball season. Samura is averaging a whopping 33.2 points per game for Ka Makani (3-3). As a team, HPA is scoring 43.5 ppg. … Lahainaluna got a helping hand from Kamehameha, which invited the Lady Lunas to play in its I Mua Invitational. The Warriors enlisted some help from Mufi Hannemann to help with travel costs, and the Lunas stayed at the school dormitory during the tournament.
Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10
Dec. 4, 2023
Rank School (1st) (Record) Pts LW
1. ‘Iolani (8) (10-0) 98 1
> def. San Juan Hills (Calif.) 53-49, OT
> def. Sierra Pacific , 52-21
> def. San Clemente (Calif.), 48-30
> def. No. 10 Moanalua, 64-33
> next: vs. Kailua, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Kamehameha (2) (9-0) 90 2
> def. No. 6 Kahuku, 58-35
> def. Miami (Ariz.), 74-43
> def. Hamilton (Ariz.), 57-50
> next: vs. Sidwell Friends (Md.), Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
3. Konawaena (8-3, 1-0 BIIF) 82 3
> def. San Clemente (Calif.), 59-25
> def. No. 10 Moanalua, 49-32
> def. No. 7 Campbell, 40-27
> def. San Juan Hills (Calif.), 56-53
> next: vs. Parker, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
> next: vs. Honokaa, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
4. Waiakea (7-2, 2-0 BIIF) 63 4
> def. Kealakehe, 68-4
> def. Kohala, 71-21
> lost to Hamilton (Ariz.), 60-50
> def. Lahainaluna, 57-55
> def. Kahuku, 51-47
> next: vs. Pahoa, Monday
> next: at Hawaii Prep, Thursday
5. Maryknoll (6-2) 54 5
> def. No. 8 Lahainaluna, 46-40
> lost to Hamilton (Ariz.), 57-38
> def. Miami (Ariz.), 70-43
> next: bye
6. Campbell (3-2) 48 7
> def. Kamehameha I-AA, 75-53
> won at No. 9 Punahou, 49-43
> def. San Clemente (Calif.), 40-39
> lost to No. 3 Konawaena, 40-27
> def. Sierra Pacific (Calif.), 53-26
> next: vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), Thursday, 8 p.m.
7. Kahuku (2-4) 33 6
> lost to No. 2 Kamehameha, 58-35
> def. KS-Hawaii, 44-28
> lost to No. 4 Waiakea, 51-47
> next: vs. Clovis West (Calif.), Thursday, 5 p.m.
8. Lahainaluna (2-4) 28 8
> lost to No. 5 Maryknoll, 46-40
> lost to No. 4 Waiakea, 57-55
> def. KS-Hawaii, 42-33
> next: at KS-Maui, Tuesday
9. Punahou (5-4) 26 9
> lost to No. 7 Campbell, 49-43
> lost to San Juan Hills (Calif.), 62-41
> def. Sierra Pacific (Calif.), 50-42
> def. San Clemente (Calif.), 53-46
> next: bye
10. Moanalua (3-7) 13 10
> lost to Foothill (Calif.), 63-53
> def. No. 9 Punahou, 43-36
> lost to St. Anthony’s, 72-45
> def. Sierra Pacific, 36-32
> next: at Leilehua, Thursday
Also receiving votes: Maui 4, Kamehameha-Hawaii 3, Leilehua 3, Waimea 3, Radford 2.
