Defending state champion Konawaena pulled away in the second half to score a 60-42 win over Kahuku in the semifinals of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association's Division 1 girls' state basketball tournament at Blaisdell Center

Konawaena, the BIIF champion and #1 seed, will meet ILH champion and #2 seed Iolani in the finals. Both teams have claimed 4 state championships. Konawaena's titles have all been since 2004. Iolani last won in 1996.

Struggling early against Kahuku's zone defense, Konawaena broke a 10-all tie with seven straight points late in the first quarter and never let the Red Raiders get closer than five points again.

Kahuku, the OIA's fifth place team, which had come from behind the night before to upset OIA champion Pearl City, was still in the Wildcats' rear view mirror, down only seven when Konawaena's Melissa Simon hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. It was a key play according to Kahuku coach Scott DeSilva.

"Our plan was to slow the game down and give them hardly any points of fast breaks", said DeSilva., "It was working and we were still within 7 in the second quarter, but that 3-pointer at the end was big. I still consider this a moral victory."

But the Wildcats claimed the victory on the scoreboard, by gradually pulling away in the 3rd quarter to lead 46-33. Konawaena then outscored the Red Raiders 14-2 in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to claim the game's biggest lead. 60-35. Kahuku made only 5 field goals in the second half.

Super seniors Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa each score 16 points to lead Konawaena. Junior Courtney Kaupu added 13. Leighlani Pasello was the only Red Raider in double figures with 15.

Said Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa, "We knew what to expect, but didn't hit the shots like last night (a win over Kaiser). They(kahuku) did a good job of closing the passing lanes and trading baskets"

The post-game Wildcat victory celebration was somewhat subdued because Dawnyelle Awa sat in a chair with an ice pack around her ankle. "It swelled up, the same ankle she hurt on Wednesday" said Bobbie Awa.

Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa led Konawanea with 16 points apiece and Courtney Kaupa added 13.

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