Glen Pascual | SL

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Glen Pascual | SL

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In a battle of youth and experience, the latter prevailed.

Led by junior Serenity Tagere, Moanalua established an early margin and didn't look back in a 63-49 win over youthful Lahainaluna in the opening round of the Pacific Century Fund Team Aloha/HHSAA Division I Girls Basketball Championships.

"This win was definitely a stepping stone, we had a rough couple of games (in the OIA playoffs)" said Tagere, who finished a rebound shy of a double-double with 28 points and nine rebounds. "But our team got better established, breaking out early, breaking loose, just playing basketball."

She added three assists, three steals and a block for good measure.

Seniors Shanti Castilo (eight points, six rebounds, four assists) and Dorian Pokipala (five points, two assists) factored in along with sophomore Alofa Simanu (nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals).

The Lunas, whose rosters featured six freshman and three sophomores, battled early foul trouble and turnover woes, falling behind by double digits at xx-xx but did well to battle back to within striking distance in the final quarter to get within 11.

Honor Kaniho had 15 points and six boards but also committed nine turnovers, and fellow freshman Jayla Chihara-Brummel added 10 more to pace Lunas.

Both teams both committed 24 turnovers and  the Lunas were actually called for one less foul (23 to 24), but a 43-20 rebounding differential in favor of Na Menehune loomed large.

"(Our size) definitely played on our side because they were definitely a smaller team," said Tacgere.

Up next for Moanalua is second-seeded Konawaena, in a quarterfinal contest set for Wednesday at Na Menehune's home gym.