Iolani outslugs Konawaena to reach Division I state finale

Harley Simon | ScoringLive

In a slugfest between two girls basketball heavyweights, it came down to whoever landed the final blow.

Iolani outlasted Konawaena, rallying back from as many as a dozen points down in the second half to notch a 43-41 win in the semifnals of the Pacific Century Fund Team Aloha/HHSAA Division I Girls Basketball Championships.

"We've been through so many situations like this and I just we were ready for this moment and we didn't feel pressured at all," said Justice Kekauoha, who helped will her team to victory, pouring in a game-high 23 points, 12 of those coming in the final period.

She also added seven rebounds, four steals an assist and a block.

Her final two free throws, one to force a tie and the other to inch the Raiders ahead, were part of 6 of 8 made in the fourth quarter after knocking down just 3 of 6 in the three quarters prior.

"I just had to calm myself down and I knew my teammates had my back," said Kekauoha. "Also, my parents helped a lot. They encouraged me anbd I just thank them and my teammates."

Konawaena seemed well in control heading into the final period of regulation, as a three pointer by Mikela Salazar Harrell stretched the lead for the BIIF champs to 12, but from there Iolani seemingly willed its way back into the contest, using its trap press to great effect as well as benefitting from just three made free throws in 10 attempts for the Wildcats, coupled with made baskets on the end other end to slowly trim the gap.

"We do that (press) a lot in practice," remarked Kekauoha. "And it showed that our hard work in practice showed in this game today."

The Raiders completed the rally back from its late deficit on a layup by Hailey Fernandez to inch ahead 34-33 with 3:43 to play and actually built the margin to four on a Rayah Soriano three folowed up by a Kekauoha steal and another Fernandez layup that made it 40-36.

Angelie Molina's basket plus the foul brought the lead back to a single point difference, and the two teams swayed between a point of each other down the stretch, with the game-clinching points coming on the final made free throws by Kekauoha.

Iolani held a decided advantage on the boards (31 to 19) but Konaawena registered more steals (14 to 9) and forced seven more turnovers (20 to 13).

A trio of Wildcats reached double figures, led by Angelie Molina's 12. Salazar Harrell and Kiilei Leleiwi each had 11 points.

The front liine of the Raiders, Charlotte Galloway and Chelsea Lee, accounted for just two points, but racked up 14 rebounds.

Konawaena's offense shot just 27 percent from the floor and 55 percent from the line, though Iolani was not much better at 36 percent from the field and 61 percent from the line.