KEALAKEKUA — There was no dog pile at center court, fist-clenching celebrations or even really more than the customary handshake line after Kalani’s 66-54 victory over Konawaena on Thursday night.
Yes, the Falcons had just knocked off the four-time defending Division I state champion Wildcats, but Kalani head coach Chi Mok had perspective on the victory at the Konawaena Invitational Preseason Tournament.
“The win feels great, however, we know every year Konawaena is a team that improves throughout the season. They are always there at the end,” Mok said. “Our girls played tough, no doubt, but we are going to let them know we still have a lot of work to do.”
He’s right. Since 2004, Konawaena has been involved in 12 of the Division I state title games, winning nine, so it’s way too early to be counting the Wildcats out of anything.
However, there were some notable changes in Konawaena’s season-debut against Kalani.
It’s the first time a player with the last name “Molina” is not on the Wildcats’ roster since 2013. All three of the Molina sisters — Chanelle, Celena and Cherilyn — are currently playing at Washington State.
The Wildcats’ new-look, young-gun roster features no seniors and four freshman, two that were in the starting lineup against the Falcons.
“Our team is young, but they did some really good things out there,” Konawaena head coach Bobbie Awa said. “The composure is not there yet, but they’ll get there.”
While there are not a ton of battle-tested Wildcats on the roster, junior Caiyle Kaupu — a two-time All-BIIF selection — has been through the wars in Konawaena green, playing a key role on the last two state title squads.
Kaupu was a problem in the post for Kalani in the first half, as she put defenders in a blender with a series of nearly unstoppable moves. She notched a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds (four offensive), but Kalani made adjustments in the second half to limit her production.
“We needed the ball in her hand down in the block, but we could not get it to her,” Awa said.
Kalani has had some time this season to figure out some of its kinks. The Falcons entered with a 4-2 record and the team’s most recent outing was a 93-23 rout of Nanakuli before the holiday break. Kalani’s losses came to tough ILH squads Kamehameha and Iolani.
The Falcons are also adjusting to new faces, including Maryknoll transfer Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, who has been the team’s leading scorer so far this season.
Kamakawiwo‘ole continued her top-notch play against the ‘Cats, battling through contact on drives to the rim for 20 points, with 11 coming in a momentum-turning third quarter.
Kalena Halunajan had a game-high 25 points for Kalani, netting a trio a 3-pointers. Alayna Akiona also added 11 with three triples.
“This game will go a long way in having them believe,” Mok said. “We have a lot of new players so we are trying to gel this team together. We have the talent, but with some extra practice and this trip, I think the team will be a lot closer.”
The Wildcats raced out to a 7-0 lead before the Falcons countered with an eight-point run. The teams remained tight for the first half, with Konawaena scoring in the paint and at the line, while Kalani found it’s range from deep.
The 3-ball kept Kalani in the game early, knocking down six in the first half. That total was nearly double the amount of 2-point field goals the Falcons converted on.
“We have some shooters,” Mok said with a smile. “But that’s also about knowing each other and being able to find that hot hand.”
Konawaena held a 1-point lead heading in to the half, and the back and forth affair continued in the third. Kalani built a 5-point lead, but just like that, a pair of 3-pointers gave the advantage back to the Wildcats.
It was Kamakawiwo‘ole who was able to turn the tide, finding a driving lane and converting on and-one plays on two occasions.
Kalani added to the margin in the fourth and Halunajan hit what felt like a dagger 3-pointer with just under four minutes left that pushed the Kalani lead to nine points at 57-48.
Next up
Last season, the Wildcats captured a fourth consecutive state title — and ninth overall —10th straight BIIF title and ran their historic BIIF winning streak to 116-0.
Konawaena’s only two losses of the season were to Maryknoll and Lahainaluna.
The loss to the Lunas came at the Konawaena Invitational in overtime, 44-42.
Awa called the rare — and almost unheard of — home court loss as a bit of “humble pie” for her squad. It turned out to be the last time the Wildcats would be on the losing end of a scoreboard.
Konawaena will face Lahainaluna in their near-annual preseason outing today at 7:30 p.m. Hilo will take on Kalani in the lead-in matchup, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
