The rematch of last year’s HHSAA Division I state championship game was pretty much over by the end of first quarter Friday night thanks to some shut down defense from Konawaena that picked apart Lahainaluna at the Konawaena Invitational on Friday.
The Lunas struggled to get to the net in the first half. Every time they crossed the 3-point line, a Wildcat defender — or more likely two — would be on the spot, ready to swipe the ball away. Konawaena held Lahainaluna to only two points in the first quarter on the way to a convincing 59-31 victory.
“Last year in the state finals they really killed us underneath (the basket),” said Konawaena assistant coach Jessica Hanato, who functions as the team’s defensive coordinator. “I was not expecting how well we played on defense, but they kept the intensity up and limited the second shots. I was very happy. ”
On offense, Konawaena standout Chanelle Molina showed she was already in preseason form with five baskets in the opening frame. She finished the contest with a game-high 27 points.
“She is playing every game like it is her last,” Hanato said. “This is her last year, she knows where she is going to college so the pressure is off. These games are just fun for her.”
Chanelle was not the only Molina with a dominating performance against the Lunas. Cheriyln Molina helped set the tone early with four points in the first quarter. She finished with 20.
It was the Molina show in the first quarter. Cherilyn Molina hit a pair of free throws as the game tipped off. Celena Molina and Chanelle Molina followed with a pair of short jumpers and Cherilyn Molina knocked down a 3-pointer. Chanelle Molina wrapped up an 11-0 point run with a jumper.
After a Lahainaluna basket, Chanelle Molina turned her play up a notch by scoring the next three baskets. She hit a mid-range jumper, followed by a layup, and then ended the quarter with a putback to put the Wildcats up 17-2.
The Molina sisters continued to fire on all cylinders in the second quarter. Cherilyn Molina led the charge with a putback and a 3-pointer. Chanelle Molina added a 3-point play after getting fouled on a layup, and Celena Molina scored on a breakaway to put Konawaena up 29-6 at the half.
Lahainaluna’s offense picked up after the break. In the third quarter, the Lunas tripled their entire first half production as Keleah-Aiko Koloi and Cameron Fernandez managed to push their way inside for four points each. Chanelle Molina answered with seven points and Celena Molina added four in the third for a 43-19 advantage.
Koloi tried to lead a Lunas charge in the final quarter, netting six points. She finished with 10, all of which came in the second half. Chanelle Molina continued to roll with seven points as she scored from everywhere. She knocked down a 3-pointer, rolled in a layup and went 2-of-2 from the line. Cherilyn Molina also scored from long range and Mercedes “Ihi” Victor added four points to put the game away.
The Wildcats wrap up the Konawaena Invitational today at Ellison Onizuka Gym with a game against Kamehameha-Hawaii at 1:30 p.m.
Girls
Hilo 64, Kealakehe 15
Alexis Pana paced Hilo with 17 points to down Kealakehe at the HPA Girls Basketball Tournament on Friday.
The Vikings exploded for 28 first quarter points and never let the Waverider offense get on track.
Ashlyn Cabatbat, who was coming off a 23 point performance against Ka‘u on Thursday, led Kealakehe with four points.
Ka‘u 37, Hawaii Prep 30
The Trojans used 37 points from Reisha Kekoa-Jarra to down host Hawaii Prep on Friday.
The teams played close until the fourth quarter, where Ka‘u outscored Hawaii Prep 15-6 to pull away for the win.
Jazzy Buerano tallied 11 for Ka Makani in the loss.
Boys
St. Joseph 50, Ka‘u 25
Cole DeSilva and Manato Fukuda combined for 24 points to lead St. Joseph over Ka‘u on Friday.
Pete Dacalio was the only Trojan in double-figures, scoring 10 points in the loss.
Pahoa 60, Kealakehe 39
A trio of Daggers carried the load against Kealakehe. Keinan Agonias posted a game high 28 points, and Kili Oliveira (18 points) and Joel Rosario Jr. (14 points) helped with the rest.
Blaine Broberg led the Waveriders with nine points.
Kamehameha 54, Keaau 48
Kamehameha pulled away from Keaau behind 18 points from Pukana Vincent. Cullen Cariaga and Samuel Kahapea also had 10 points apiece for the Warriors.
Charles Caldwell (11 points) and Tzion Carland (10 points) helped keep things close for the Cougars.
Hawaii Prep 70, Waiakea 64, 2OT
Jonas Skupeika put on a show with 45 points, and Hawaii Prep outlasted Waiakea in double overtime, winning 70-64 at the Keaau-Waiakea boys tournament.
Noah Ferreira scored 20 points for the host Warriors and Calvin Mattos finished with 16.
Hilo 56, Kohala 44
EJ Narido scored 16 points and Josh Breitbarth (15) and Isaac Liu (13) also reached double figures for the Vikings, who took control by outscoring the Cowboys 18-8 in the third quarter.
Lyle Laninbit-Lobju led Kohala with seven points.
Waiakea 2 52, Laupahoehoe 47
Jaden Opiana’s 12 points paced the Warriors, and Noah Tominaga and Will Soares chipped in with 11 and 10, respectively.
Kadan Stamm carried the Seasiders with 30.