Maryknol's Kamalu Kamakawiwoole smiles on a fast break opportunity against Iolani. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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_17011320_MaryIo_9899.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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MAKIKI – With final exams in session, Iolani had yet another tough test in facing the top team in the state.

No. 1 Maryknoll's size and length were too much to overcome as the Spartans rolled No. 4 Iolani, 47-34, Thursday night at the Tony Sellitto Court at the Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.

The Spartans (22-1 overall) are a win or a Kamehameha loss away from clinching the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I regular-season title and state tournament berth in improving to 9-0 with three to play, including twice against Kamehameha, both away games.

Iolani broke away from its normal up-tempo game for good reason.

"Normally, we're a running team, but the girls are in the middle of finals," Iolani coach Dean Young said. "They had finals today and they have two finals tomorrow. "I know they're exhausted, physically and mentally. (Maryknoll coach) Chico (Furtado) always tries to slow us down so we kind tried to save their energy for finals, slow the game down instead of (using) our usual run and gun."

The Raiders (10-6, 5-4) kept the game interesting early. They took a 9-5 lead with a modest 7-0 run in the first quarter, only to see the Spartans close the period with a 9-0 run.

Maryknoll continued to dominate early in the second period extending its lead to 23-11, only to see the Raiders end the half with a 7-0 run aided by two Spartans turnovers to pull to 23-18.

The Raiders were still deliberate in the second half, but ended up turning over the ball three times leading to seven of Maryknoll's nine third-quarter points. It was much of the same in the fourth as Maryknoll pulled away. Skyler Nakata scored 11 of Iolani's 16 second-half points on the strength of three 3-pointers. She led all scorers with 13 points.

"I thought it started with our defense causing some problems," Furtado said. "After they hit that first 3 to start the second half, we settled in and started scoring on our end. Chayse (Milne) did a wonderful job up front. I think that's how we play. At time we hit lulls…We're up 10 points and all of a sudden we're up five going into the half."

Although Milne did not score she came up with two steals and assisted on Rhianne Omori's 3-pointer.

By opening their margin in the second half, the Spartans were able to clear their bench. The time could not have been more appropriate as the Spartans celebrated senior night for its lone senior Sierra Murobayashi, who had the fortune of having all four walls of the gym plastered with her name. It will be a far cry from next year when 11 juniors this season will have to share space for their signs

"It was great for her," said sophomore Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, whose strong second half included six points, two steals and two defensive rebounds. "This is her last year with us. I think it felt good for her, especially the way we won."

When Murobayashi entered the game, her teammates went out of their way to find her an open shot. Each attempt she tried, her teammates on the bench rose up. Although she did not score, Murobayashi was still elated. She had an option to play Division II and possibly start or stay and see limited time.

"I've played with these girls for two years and feel like they're my family so I didn't want to drop down," Murobayashi said.

"It was nice to get Sierra in on her senior day," Furtado said.

The Spartans scoring was pretty balanced. Omori led with 12 points with Kamakawiwoole followed with nine, Isabella Cravens added eight, Dakota Viena had six and Ysabelle Halemano had five.