Hawaii Baptist, Hanalani march on to state D2 quarterfinals

Rayden Aoki | SL

Hawaii Baptist and Hanalani took different paths to victory, but both are moving on to the quarterfinals of the Heide & Cook/HHSAA Division II girls basketbal championships held at Kalani High School.

The Eagles outlasted Hawaii Prep, 38-35, withstanding a 24 point, 13 rebound performance by Ka Makani guard Brooke Samura, and lifted by double digit output from Sienna Lamblack (12 points, 7 rebounds) and Sierra Ramos (11 points). It was a game that came down to wire, with four lead changes and a tie in the fourth alone.

Point total aside, the Eagles did all they could to corral the high-scoring Samura, to the tune of just 8 of 35 field goals and only four free throws in the contest.

In second game of the day at Kalani, Hanalani raced out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter and were never threatened, coming away with a 47-25 win over Lanai.

Royals' post Ellana Klemp had a double-double performance, 19 points and 14 rebonds, to go along with five assists and three steals. Jayda Okuhara chipped in 12 points, and Pihaeu Akiona seven, as Hanalani's starters accounted for 43 of the 47 total scored.

Lanai was led by Veniza Jackson, who had 15 points and five steals in defeat.

Up next for the Eagles are the top seed and defending D2 champ Kapaa, a rematch of the semifinals a year ago. Hanalani matches up with fourth seed and OIA champ McKinley. Both games set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively back at Kalani.