For the second year in a row, Konawaena trailed its opponent heading into the second half of the HHSAA Division I championship, and for the second time, the Wildcats came away with the victory.
Last year, the Wildcats trailed Lahainaluna 25-23 at the break before outscoring the Lunas 28-16 in the second half. On Friday, Konawaena (26-1) trailed by one at halftime thanks to a 9-0 run by Maryknoll (23-3) early in the second quarter. However, the Wildcats kept their composure behind phenomenal senior standout Chanelle Molina, and outscored the Spartans 23-12 over the final 16 minutes for a 44-34 victory at the Stan Sheriff Center on Oahu.
Molina, who will be heading to Washington State next year on a basketball scholarship, put the team on her back in the second half, and finished the game with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The state title is the seventh for the Bobbie Awa led Konawaena girls basketball program since 2004. It was the 10th championship game appearance for the Wildcats over that same span.
Chanelle Molina was named the state tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, while Ihi Victor and Cherilyn Molina also earned All-Tournament nods.
Up 22-21 at the half, Maryknoll’s Kodee Viena opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to put her team up by four. However, Molina would not let her team fall back any further. Taking matters into her own hands, the senior scored on the next two possessions, including a 3-point play after getting fouled on a layup. Her five points put the Wildcats up 26-25 and they would not trail again.
Molina added two more shots late in the third, which forced Maryknoll to try and stall the game with two minutes on the clock to kill the Konawaena momentum while also get the final shot of the quarter. However, with 40 seconds remaining, the Wildcats managed to steal the ball, but they were not able to turn the possession into points. They led 30-27 heading into the final quarter of the season.
Chanelle Molina scored every point for the Wildcats in the third quarter. Konawaena led in rebounds and turnovers through the first 24 minutes, but trailed in shooting percentage.
Maryknoll’s Rhianne Omori came out with a quick layup to open the fourth quarter. Konawaena’s Cherilyn Molina then hit 1-of-2 free throws. Scoring was hard to come by in the field over the final eight minutes as both defenses clamped down and the offenses slowed down.
With four minutes to go, Molina hit a long jumper but Maryknoll’s Kamalu Kamakawiwoole knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to make it a one point game.
With 2:30 to play, Molina knocked down a pair of free throws to move her total to 20 points. It was then the Wildcats who elected to stall, and managed to run over a minute off the clock which forced the Spartans to foul.
Konawaena, which shot 70 percent from the line this season, hit 9-of-10 shots from the charity stripe over the final 1:20, to pull away for their seventh state title. Molina knocked down the final two points as a fitting tribute to one of the most prolific players to ever wear Konawaena green.
After the game, Molina was gracious for the opportunities that have been provided for her.
“We have the best coaches and they have taught me a lot about the game including being humble,” Molina said on OC16,. “That is key to success in this game.”
Molina started the game hot, scoring seven points in the opening quarter. Both Ihi Victor and Cherilyn Molina knocked down a 3-pointer each.
In the second quarter, Maryknoll came out and scored nine straight points. It was a complete team effort for the Spartans, who had four players with four or more points in 12 minutes of play. The scoring streak was finally snapped with four minutes on the clock thanks to a long 2-point shot by Konawaena’s Mikayla Tablit. Maryknoll led 20-17.
Victor cut the deficit to one with a long jumper at the two minute mark but the Spartans got it right back on a layup by Chayse Milne. Celena Molina added a layup late in the second quarter and the Wildcats trailed 22-21.
Maryknoll had the ball for the final possession of the half. With three seconds to go, the Spartans inbounded the ball. Milne attempted a long 3-pointer and nearly made the shot but the ball popped out and her team would have to settle for a one point lead heading into the break.
Maryknoll found an answer to Chanelle Molina in the second quarter, holding the future Cougar to no points. However, the second half would prove that you can’t keep a good player down for long.
Chanelle Molina was the only player to score in double-digits. Cherilyn Molina followed her sister with nine points. She also had four steals and Celena Molina picked up eight rebounds to go with four points.
Omori led the Spartans with nine points. Viena followed with eight.
MARY 11 11 5 7 – 34
KONA 15 6 9 14 – 44