The Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships tip off today at four high school sites.
The four seeded teams in both Division I and Division II have byes and will play Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the opening-round matchups:
Division I
McKinley bracket
Kaiser vs. Maui: The Cougars (16-5, 12-3 OIA) spent much of the season at or near the top of the OIA Red East, as well as the Star-Advertiser Top 10. Then came a narrow win at Roosevelt late in the regular season, followed by a one-point loss to the Rough Riders in the playoffs. After losing to Kaimuki, the Cougars finished fourth in the league.
Darcey Goulsby is a multi-talented senior. Micaela Bitanga, a 5-11 junior, runs the offense and is a key scorer.
The Sabers (8-6 MIL), guided by longtime coach Gilbert Silva, fell to Lahainaluna 54-17 in the league title game on Saturday. Megan Malubay, Jamia Degala and Patricia Batoon are key scorers.
Kahuku vs. Kamehameha: The Red Raiders were on the cusp of elite status all season under coach Scott DeSilva and could be the most dangerous sleeper of all. Kahuku (11-4 OIA) served notice with a 44-43 win at Mililani on Saturday. Leighlani Paselio, Mata Tonga and Fia Tailele-Latu spark the Red Raiders.
Kamehameha (8-6 ILH) emerged out of the playoffs with a state berth, knocking off Punahou on Friday. The Warriors’ low-post game with Lilia Maio and Kennedi Akana is athletic and tall, while the backcourt is quick and deep. Coach Darold Imanaka’s team thrives on controlling tempo as it did, whittling down the clock with a second-half lead against Punahou.
Moanalua bracket
Mililani vs. Kaimuki: These teams met in the OIA playoffs on Jan. 26 and Kaimuki pulled out a 45-43 road win. The Bulldogs have played six games since
Jan. 24, and with a thin bench, endurance could be an issue against a hungry Trojans squad.
Ashley Savusa has been a rebounding and scoring factor for Kaimuki (21-6, 16-2 OIA). Dejah Fa‘asoa’s court leadership is key, and the Bulldogs get key contributions from guard Canny Aikau and forwards Keana Paez and Krysta Yasui.
Mililani (14-8, 11-3 OIA) was unbeaten in regular-season play but fell in the playoffs with close losses to East teams. Talent is there with swingman Taylor Babbitt and other quick penetrators like Kapili Amamalin, but the Trojans — like Kaimuki — don’t have a player taller than 5-8 and need to shoot well.
Roosevelt vs. Waiakea: The Rough Riders (14-8, 10-6 OIA) have played their best basketball late in the season despite losses to Pearl City and Kaimuki. Getting ousted from the playoffs last Tuesday was a blessing, giving them some rest time.
Freshman Tatiana Mariano had some clutch plays in the playoffs, including a game-winning shot against Kaiser.
Coach Hinano Higa’s young squad is prone to momentum swings, but the quickness of guards Starr Rivera and Sharice Kawakami is a big plus.
Waiakea (21-5, 10-1 BIIF) lost to Konawaena in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation final on Saturday, its first loss since Nov. 19. Coach Grant Kauhi’s squad was beset by injuries early in the year, but they’ve fared well since with Ciera Pacheco, Alyssa Ferreira, Daven Namohala-Roloos and post Sefelu Faavae.
Division II
Radford bracket
Hawaii Prep vs. University: Ka Makani (7-5 BIIF) needed a 56-32 win over Ka‘u on Saturday to qualify for the state tourney. Chancis Fernandez, a sophomore, is their key scorer.
Anuhea Memea and Janae Rasmussen are big contributors for University (11-2 ILH D-II). The Junior Rainbows are one of the few teams to give league D-II champ Maryknoll a rub this season, and among their nonconference losses was a 34-33 battle with Radford.
Honokaa vs. Seabury Hall: Honokaa (7-4 BIIF) is the runner-up from Hawaii island. The Dragons had Kamehameha-Hawaii on the ropes before losing a second-half lead and losing in the title game. Yvonne Daniels, a junior, had 17 points in defeat. Precious Chong, Kasia Wilson and sophomore Hunter Liftee are key players in Honokaa’s lineup.
Seabury Hall is the only league champion that is unseeded. The Spartans (5-1 MIL) defeated Molokai 34-24 for the league title last week. Tiana Camarillo had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Kalani bracket
Hawaii Baptist vs. Kalani: HBA finished third in the ILH at 11-2, losing only to University and league champ Maryknoll. Along the way, the Eagles notched wins over D-II teams of ‘Iolani, Punahou (double overtime) and Kamehameha. Hayley Dixon, Jennifer Uehara and Amber Au are among their top scorers.
Kalani (6-9) OIA) was highly competitive in the league’s combined schedule during the regular season and emerged as the third-place team in the White Conference.
Sharpshooter Haley Omiya is among their long-range shooters.
Hanalani vs. McKinley: Hanalani (12-3) had one of its best seasons ever in girls hoops, finishing fourth in the ILH. Sarah Liva is one of the league’s top scorers.
McKinley (8-7 OIA) finished second in the OIA, losing two close games to Radford in the playoffs. Guards Miranda Schmillen, Tiare Sugui and Sybil Coryell play gritty, tough defense, just the way coach Abel Werner likes it.
Tomorrow: A look at the seeded teams in Division I and II.
