Konawaena is back where it always seems to be this time of year — in the girls state basketball championship game — and the Wildcats have gotten there in impressive fashion.
Cherilyn Molina scored 14 points, Mikayla Tablit added 13 points and five steals and Konawaena forced 25 turnovers in a 63-25 victory over Kaiser on Thursday in the semifinals of the OC 16/HHSAA Division I State Championships at Moanalua.
“We just went out there, played with confidence and played as a team,” Tablit said. “We’re just taking one game at a time, that’s it.”
The Wildcats, the top seed and defending state champions, will play Maryknoll for the title today at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
“We’re looking forward to it, we’re real excited and the girls are really pumped,” said Konawaena assistant coach Jessica Hanato. “I know (seniors) Chanelle (Molina) and Ihi (Victor), they’re looking forward to the game since it’s their final game together.”
The Wildcats, who beat Punahou 51-27 on Wednesday, will be seeking their seventh Division I state title since the tournament was split into two divisions in 2004. Konawaena also has three runner-up finishes during that time.
The Wildcats (14-0) put the game away early against the Cougars (12-4) with an impressive display of pressure defense and getting out in transition. Konawaena finished the first half with 12 steals, with many leading to layups.
“Defensively we wanted to make a lot of stops,” Hanato said. “We wanted to get our legs under us and get the game going.”
Against the Cougars’ 2-3 zone, the Wildcats moved the ball around for open shots. They finished 15-for-31 from the field, including five 3-pointers, in the first half.
Konawaena went on a 16-0 run to take an 18-2 lead with 1:34 left in the first quarter. The only field goal for Kaiser in the quarter came by Roselynn Shimaoka at the 6:16 mark.
It was more of the same in the second quarter as the Wildcats took a 36-9 halftime lead.
Tablit scored 10 points and Cherilyn Molina added nine for Konawaena in the first half.
The Wildcats’ first four field goals of the second half came on 3-pointers — by four different players — and most of their starters headed to the bench shortly thereafter.
Victor added 12 points for Konawaena, which finished 26-for-57 from the field, including 10-for-23 from 3-point range.
The Wildcats finished with 19 steals.
“We just defended the passing lanes, got our hands up to try and touch every ball,” Cherilyn Molina said.
The only scoring threat for Kaiser was Shimaoka, who finished with 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting from the field.
“She’s the heart and soul of our team,” Cougars coach Simon Bitanga said. “We can go to anybody; whoever is hot we give them the ball. She was hot again, so she had the green light.”
The Cougars, the OIA’s fifth-place team, made an impressive run in the tournament, beating Kamehameha-Maui in the first round and No. 4 seed Leilehua in the quarterfinals.
“We came out, we did our thing and we’re happy with where we’re at, getting to the semifinals,” Bitanga said. “I’m happy for our team. Konawaena is just too good.”
Kaiser will play Lahainaluna for third place today at 5 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.
HHSAA Division II girls
Kohala 50, Molokai 30
Naai Solomon-Lewis had 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Cowgirls defeated the Farmers.
Hepuakea Falealii had 10 points to lead Molokai.
Kohala will face top seed Hawaii Baptist in tonight’s semifinals at Keaau.
Hawaii Baptist 65, Damien 36
The top-seeded Eagles had no problem with their ILH rivals, routing the Monarchs.
Caitlien Joy Ramos led Hawaii Baptist with 10 points and 13 different players scored for the ILH champions.
Melina Souza led Damien with 16 points.
Hawaii Baptist, which lost to Honokaa in the championship last year, moves on to play Kohala in the semifinals.
Mid-Pacific 49, Kaimuki 38
Harley Simon had a game-high 22 points to lead the Owls past the Bulldogs.
Victoria Kintz had 15 for Kaimuki.
The Owls play Kamehameha-Hawaii in today’s semifinals at Keaau.
KS-Hawaii 65, St. Francis 36
Saydee Aganus scored 16 points and Jordyn Matz added 12 as the Warriors routed the Saints.
Kamehameha-Hawaii shot 63 percent, hitting four of six 3-pointers, in the first half to the 38 percent by the Saints.
The Warriors move on to face Mid-Pacific in today’s semifinals.
HHSAA DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 1 Konawaena 63, Kaiser 25
| at Moanalua |
| Konawaena |
20 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
— |
63 |
| Kaiser |
3 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
— |
25 |
KONAWAENA—Mikayla Tablit 13, Tanniya Uchida 0, Jenny Fong 3, Chanelle Molina 8, Mercedes Victor 12, Mahie Kaawa 3, Celena Molina 8, Maycee Hing 2, Cherilyn Molina 14.
KAISER—Brooke Ho 0, Rose Shimaoka 20, Skylar Kimura 0, Lyla Kaneakala 0, Kayla Russell 0, Cori Sun 0, Chelsea Soong 0, Tehani Kahawai-Robinson 5, Stephanie Cannon 0, Hoku Kaneakala 0.
3-point goals—Kaiser 4 (Shimaoka 3, Kahawai-Robinson). Konawaena 10 (Tablit 3, Cha. Molina 2, Victor 2, Kaawa, Che. Molina, Fong)
No. 3 Maryknoll 63, No. 2 Lahainaluna 61
| at Moanalua |
| Lahainaluna |
8 |
8 |
27 |
18 |
— |
61 |
| Maryknoll |
7 |
21 |
11 |
24 |
— |
63 |
LAHAINALUNA—Teani Richard 0, Fa-Ko-Fieme’a Hafoka 14, Rachael Balagso 2, Braeanna Estabillo 3, Erin Ho’okano 0, Keleah-Aiko Koloi 23, Elisapeta Hafoka 1, Cameron Fernandez 16, Tori Tihada 0, Susitina Namoa 2.
MARYKNOLL—Kamalu Kamakawiwo’ole 7, Alexis Delovio 17, Rhianne Omori 9, Dakota Vienna 5, Isabella Cravens 7, Chayse Milne 13, Lindsey Lee 5, Ysabelle Halemano 0, Moenongi Notoa 0.
3-point goals—Lahainaluna 3 (Estabillo, Fernandez, Koloi). Maryknoll 4 (Milne 2, Lee, Vienna)
Fifth-place semifinals
No. 4 Punahou 46, No. 6 Leilehua 25
| at Kalani |
| Punahou |
20 |
9 |
6 |
11 |
— |
46 |
| Leilehua |
5 |
5 |
4 |
11 |
— |
25 |
PUNAHOU—Kamaile Kandiah 6, Lexie Taylor 0, Heaven Wong 4, Kamakani DeBlake 1, Abigail Aplaca 5, Vonica Malufau 13, Kristen Tamagawa 3, Elle Uyeda 5, Tyra Moe 7, Kylie Yamauchi 2.
LEILEHUA—Regina Dela Cruz 2, Megan Ayala 0, Hannah Coffin 0, Kaylen Kamelamela 6, Kayla Posiulai 2, Tianna Hanohano 0, Tywanna Abbott 7, Chyel Palmer 0, Abigail Flores 0, Shaylee Todani 3, Azah Quach 5.
3-point goals—Punahou 5 (Kandiah 2, Malufau, Moe, Uyeda). Leilehua 1 (Todani)
No. 5 Hilo 50, Mililani 36
| at Kalani |
| Mililani |
9 |
13 |
14 |
0 |
— |
36 |
| Hilo |
15 |
12 |
10 |
13 |
— |
50 |
MILILANI—Velisa Meleisea 11, Brianna Garcia 0, Teona Singletary 2, Kayla Torres 13, Ava Lowell 0, Elise Vasper 0, Amanda Barlan 0, Caysie Tomas 0, Taylor Walker 1, Jazmina Lafitaga 9, Kalena Gibson 0, Janae Richie 0, Cheyenne Ardona 0.
HILO—Sharry Pagan 10, Alexis Pana 5, Sharlei Graham-Bernisto 13, Ciera Mae Keli’i 0, Shalyn Guthier 0, Faith Loeak 10, Mandi Kawaha Amar 12, Mele Fatai Vaka 0.
3-point goals—Mililani 2 (Torres 2). Hilo 3 (Amar, Graham-Bernisto, Pana)
HHSAA DIVISION II GIRLS
Mid-Pacific 49, Kaimuki 38
| at Waiakea |
| MPI |
8 |
11 |
8 |
22 |
— |
49 |
| Kaimuki |
11 |
5 |
4 |
18 |
— |
38 |
MID-PACIFIC—Harley Simon 22, Kayla Muraoka 0, Tylee Wong 0, Kerry Chun 2, Ciera Kameehonua 11, Marjorie Cheng-Leever 4, Judy Phan 2, Brillie Kovaloff 8.
KAIMUKI—Sirena Titer 0, Liza Anien , Sonia Palik 14, Kaelyn Espinda 7, Brandi Pfeiffer-Kekoa 0, Victoria Kintz 15, Kuuipo Sefo 0, Kato Leha 2, Mele Loo-Godinet 0, Jamie Lakmis 0, Anastasia Vea 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 3 (Kameehonua 2, Kovaloff). Kaimuki 4 (Espinda 2, Palik 2)
Kamehameha-Hawaii 65, St. Francis 36
| At Waiakea |
| St. Francis |
15 |
9 |
4 |
8 |
— |
36 |
| KS-Hawaii |
14 |
24 |
17 |
10 |
— |
65 |
ST. FRANCIS—Haley Yoshioka 0, Kelli Okubo 6, Kahili Liu-Hanohano 4, Ka’imi Kalei 3, Rya Ornog 1, Skye Ah Yat 12, Zayla Sismar-Evangelista 0, Dayna Romero 6, Olivia Vaeatangitau 4.
KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAII—Camille Poe 4, Caitlin Poe 4, Makenzie Kalawaia 7, Pomaikai Evans-Bautista 0, Saydee Aganus 16, Kyla Aguiar 8, Meghan Wong 0, Kiana Mojica-Pomroy 0, Gabrielle Victor 0, Jordyn Mantz 12, Centrie “Hoku” Carter 0, Taylor-James Sullivan 10, Kaleinani Rapoza 2, Tehani Kupahu-Canon 2.
3-point goals—St. Francis 1 (Kalei). Kamehameha-Hawaii 4 (Aguiar 2, Aganus, Mantz)
Kohala 50, Molokai 30
| at Keaau |
| Kohala |
13 |
16 |
11 |
10 |
— |
50 |
| Molokai |
2 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
— |
30 |
KOHALA—Briana Harrison 8, Brittany Shimono 0, Tezrah Antonio 8, Brittney Badua 2, Kyrah Sol 3, Naai Solomon-Lewis 16, Camylle Jayde Agbayani 7, Jessica Tenorio 0, Kumulani Kaai 0, Mikayla Kekoa 6, Ryah Manning 0.
MOLOKAI—Jamaica Bumatay 0, Nadia Augustiro 0, Precious Rawlins 8, Hepuakea Falealii 10, Christine Rawlins 0, Kristine Aquino 0, Camille Ledesma 2, Sydney Rawlins 2, Mary-Rose Ringor 0, Kaitlin DeRouin 0, Kori-Lee DeRouin 2, Nairene Bishaw-Mokiao 0, Brooke Keliihoomalu 6, Catherine Merkel 0, Kelcyn Balbas 0.
3-point goals—Kohala 2 (Agbayani, Sol). Molokai 4 (Falealii 2, P. Rawlins 2)
Hawaii Baptist 65, Damien 36
| at Keaau |
| Damien |
9 |
8 |
6 |
13 |
— |
36 |
| HBA |
15 |
17 |
21 |
12 |
— |
65 |
DAMIEN—Ghenniel Vegas 0, Kelsey Perrieira 0, Jonnalee Galdones 0, Karly Navas 6, Karissa Racoma 7, Melina Souza 16, Ilana Sagapolutele 4, Catherine Votovich 2, Montana Carter 1, Chantelle Agag 0.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Alexys Adriance 2, Ally Wada 7, Ashley Benn 8, Caitlin Ching 2, Cassidy Wada 0, Caitlen Joy Ramos 10, Kalena Montgomery 1, Katelyn Nakagawa 8, Keisha Ching 2, Kiara Chun 6, Kyley Nakagawa 6, Mikayla Chun 0, Nicole Arakaki 0, Stephanie Dang 8, Kacie Yoshida 0, Morgan Lorenzo 3, Haley Benn 2.
3-point goals—Damien 1 (Navas). Hawaii Baptist 6 (Ka. Nakagawa 2, Ky. Nakagawa 2, Dang, A. Wada)
Consolation Semifinals
Hanalani 32, Waipahu 29
| at Waiakea |
| Hanalani |
8 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
— |
32 |
| Waipahu |
10 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
— |
29 |
HANALANI—Isabelle Aki 6, Rebekah Yamada 5, Alexa Nava 4, Jonnisty Monalim 0, Alyssa Spurling 9, Keila Tsutsui 2, Kiara Peterson 6, Caitlyn Bocobo 0, Kira Matsuda 0.
WAIPAHU—Shannon Mailos 7, C.J. Tamayo 0, Angelica Simanu 3, Kathleen Camangeg 0, Kaelyn Aceret 11, Jenna Ramirez 2, Leilani Baon 4, Jhoanna Caucon 0, Jonilyn Cabatic 0, Krystele Aceret 2.
3-point goals—Hanalani none. Waipahu none.
Kapaa 39, McKinley 32
| at Keaau |
| Kapaa |
15 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
— |
39 |
| McKinley |
6 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
— |
32 |
KAPAA—Jaliyah Casem 6, Alexi Cordero 0, Kunani Tuttle 3, Mele “Lose” Masaniai 0, Jazmin Kaleiohi 0, Lila Hearn 2, Tori “Laka” Daligcon-Pomaikai 11, Tamare “Kiki” Daligcon-Pomaikai 0, Siokapesi “Pesi” Paua 2, Paea Tafea 15, Atelaite “Lupe” Tafea 0.
MCKINLEY—Kayla Rasavanh 1, Dezlyn Naval 0, Kloe Lum 0, Suzie Park 12, Joselle Ferrer 5, Britney Chang 0, Teane Sofa 3, Cheenie Melgazo 5, Ve’e Ve’e Li 6, Jade Miller 0.
3-point goals—Kapaa none. McKinley 5 (Park 4, Sofa)
ILH Division II boys
University 57, Hawaii Baptist 42
| at Damien |
| HBA |
10 |
12 |
6 |
14 |
— |
42 |
| ULS |
8 |
14 |
14 |
21 |
— |
57 |
HAWAII BAPTIST—Micah Mitchell 17, Brett Miller 0, Max Weimken 10, Kellen Takatsuka 9, Adam Kikuta 6, Payton Lee 0, Bryson Gonzalez 0.
UNIVERSITY—Lachlan MacLeod 3, Micah Agcaoili 12, Anson Canencia 14, Kapena Fitzgerald 5, Charlie Fox 8, Keawe Tong 5, Ryan Hobus 6, Radyn Kaleikini 4, Otto Taylor 0, Leif Fautanu 0.
3-point goals—Hawaii Baptist 9 (Mitchell 4, Takatsuka 3, Kikuta, Weimken). University 4 (Agcaoili 2, Kaleikini, Tong)
Damien 89, Le Jardin 69
| at Damien |
| LJA |
11 |
13 |
17 |
28 |
— |
69 |
| Damien |
23 |
18 |
31 |
17 |
— |
89 |
LE JARDIN—Charlie Abe 6, Mitchell Hashimoto 15, Jerry Lawson 24, Mike Leary 0, Corey Grip 12, Jordon Sandoval 0, Dominic Venezia 10, Tevin Harper 2.
DAMIEN—BJ Ballesteros 3, Jayvee Quines 3, Kolin Galdiano 23, Storm Maldonado 15, Joseph Torres 1, Shaun Apiki 25, Crumel Mooring 7, Rekeeb Craig 0, Seth Daniels 6, Brandon Galang 6, Kross Daoang 0.
3-point goals—Le Jardin 3 (Grip 2, Hashimoto). Damien 8 (Galdiano 5, Ballesteros, Maldonado, Quines).
ILH DIVISION I-AA BOYS
Saint Louis 54, Maryknoll 41
OIA Division I boys Playoffs
No. 7 Kalaheo 67, No. 1 Kaiser 47
| at McKinley |
| Kaiser |
2 |
14 |
11 |
20 |
— |
47 |
| Kalaheo |
14 |
19 |
14 |
20 |
— |
67 |
KAISER—Keoua Mahiko 12, Jalen Pinks 3, Kamu Scheer 0, Isaiah Lundell 4, Isaiah Akiona 12, Nic Tom 0, Jonah Chinen 0, Cameron Ma 0, Bryan Iha 0, Michael Miske 7, Chance Kalaugher 9, Ethan Hollandsworth 0.
KALAHEO—Andrew Kearney 6, Christian Graham 0, Cyrus Fernandez 0, Kekai Smith 16, Captain Whitlock 10, Kela Thomas 0, Ryan Pardini 6, Abel Kanehe 0, Kekoa Thompson 0, Harry Wallace 8, Alex Layi 21, Cannen Chiu 0, Mark Lehrner 0.
3-point goals-Kaiser 10 (Akiona 4, Mahiko 2, Miske 2, Kalaugher, Pinks). Kalaheo 3 (Layi 2, Whitlock).
Third-place game
McKinley 37, No. 4 Leilehua 30
| at Leilehua |
| McKinley |
11 |
10 |
6 |
10 |
— |
37 |
| Leilehua |
6 |
8 |
4 |
12 |
— |
30 |
MCKINLEY—Lane Laroya 0, Josh Kanazawa 0, Joseph Timonio 0, Mark Burke 8, Gladwyn Balinbin 5, Isaac Lu 4, Jeremy Coloyan 4, Dan Villejo 6, Treyson Furuta 0, Kyle Moraga 8, Kevin Nagasawa 2, Rayjay John 0.
LEILEHUA—Trey Boatwright 0, Linus Asher 4, Joseph Gouty 11, Keion Anderson 2, Jostin Gampayon 2, Liam Fitzgerald 5, Koalii Kauhi 6, Christian Alvarez 0.
3-point goals—Mckinley 1 (Moraga). Leilehua 2 (Gouty 2).
Fifth-place game
Kahuku 47, Kailua 41
| at Kahuku |
| Kahuku |
8 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
— |
47 |
| Kailua |
5 |
9 |
10 |
17 |
— |
41 |
KAHUKU—Codie Sauvao 4, Kieran Spencer 5, Hirkley Latu 20, Kawika Akina 0, Bradlee Anae 5, Taimona Wright 2, Keanu Akina 11.
KAILUA—Everett Torres-Kahapea 0, Noah Ah Yat 12, Zach Marrotte 8, Noah Auld 2, Hano Kohatsu 5, Christian Mejia 14, Jonah Kalai 0.
3-point goals—Kahuku 6 (Akina 3, Latu 2, Spencer). Kailua 2 (Marrotte)
OIA Division II boys Playoffs
Roosevelt 45, Kalani 43, 3OT
| at McKinley |
| Kalani |
7 |
13 |
8 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
— |
43 |
| Roosevelt |
6 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
— |
45 |
KALANI—Jaime Harris 0, Kobe Ikari 10, Miles Hannon 0, Akea Tolentino 3, Micah Kawano 4, Toby Mitchell 4, Evan Weng 0, Kapaa Nishimura 12, John Lam 8, Trey Sumida 0, Sione Vea-Kava 2.
ROOSEVELT—Jared Elwin 17, Micah Visoria 6, Charvis Paia 0, Jason Talbo 8, Michael Hyun 4, Shastyn Kekahuna 3, Nayton Koki 5, Triton Ramos 0, Lio Ilalio 2.
3-point goals: Kalani 3 (Nishimura 2, Tolentino), Roosevelt 6 (Elwin 4, Visoria 2).
