Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

In a nail-biting finish, Konawaena’s girls basketball team lost its state crown to Lahainaluna, 47-45.

It was No. 1 seed Konawaena’s only loss of the season and the first loss to a Hawaii team since Dec. 12, 2008 to Punahou.

The difference in the first half was possession, Konawaena ruled on rebounds and controlled the ball. Konawaena took a 22-15 lead into half-time.

The difference in the second half was Milika Taufa, who fired up the scoreboard with 24 points for the Maui squad, and a major Konawaena meltdown.

Konawaena hung on to 37-28 lead after three quarters.

Lahainaluna fought back tying it up at 37 with 5:30 minutes left in the game, then surged ahead 40-37.

They built a 7-point lead as Konawaena just could not find the net.

A foul shot and a steal pulled Konawaena back to 45-46 with little more than 1 minute left.

Konawaena had possession with 30 seconds to go, but an errant pass gave Lahainaluna the ball back and dug the hole deeper.

In game ended with a scramble under the bucket and huge disappoint for Konawaena.

Lahainaluna was seeded second, after a third place finish in last year’s tournament.

Konawaena crushed Iolani 54-22 to secure their place in the championship game.

Earlier, HPA knocked off Kamehameha-Hawaii for fifth place honors.

Girls Basketball State Championships at Blaisdell Arena

DIVISION I

Championship: Lahainaluna vs. Konawaena

Third place: Punahou 58, Iolani 51

Fifth place: Farrington 56, Roosevelt 52

DIVISION II

Championship: Kaimuki 41, Molokai 32

Third place: Kahuku 80, Kapaa 54

Fifth place: Hawaii Preparatory Academy 51, Kamehameha-Hawaii 50

Other facts ‘n’ figures

* SInce 2003, Konawaena and Punahou has had a lock on the state title. Konawaena hoisting the trophy in 2004, 2007 and 2009. The Wildcats lost the title game to Punahou in 2005.

* This year was the first in Division I tournament history that two neighbor island teams played the championship game.

* ILH teams won the tournament in the first six years, during which time there were five all-ILH finals.

* In 1983, Kahuku, coached by the late Harry Kahuanui, won the OIA’s only championship prior to 2001, defeating University in the finale.

* In 1981, Kohala’s Lynette Liu set a still-standing 3-game record with 85 points, despite the fact that the three point shot did not become part of the rules until 1985.

* The only double and triple overtime games prior to 2003 took place. Both times Waiakea was the victim. In 1980’s first round, Leilehua beat the Warriors 70-69 in two OT’s and in 1983’s Consolation Final, Lahainaluna defeated the Big Island team 61-54 in three OT’s.

* In 1984, the tournament – won by University – changed to a 12-team format, with the champions of the OIA, ILH, BIIF and MIL (except in 1988, 1993 and 1994 when the KIF winner replaced the MIL winner) being seeded and earning first round byes.

* Waiakea gained some measure of revenge for its double and triple overtime losses by winning back-to-back championships in 1985 and 1986 – the only neighbor island team to win prior to 2004.

* In 2003, Konawaena’s Nancy Hoist made 20 of 20 free throws over three games.

* In 2005, in the first double overtime championship game, Punahou defeated Konawaena.

* In 2005, Kamehameha-Hawaii won the Division II title without having a senior on the roster.

* In 2007, unseeded Kamehameha-Hawaii defeated top-seeded Sacred Hearts in the Division II final.

* The 2009 title game was a sequel to 2005, the same two teams went to double overtime, with a different outcome, Konawaena prevailing over Punahou.

* In all, 52 different schools have taken part in the 39 tournaments (33 years plus the last six years of Division II). Top-seeded teams have won 19 times, unseeded teams 5 times.

* Aside from winning the most tournaments (10), Punahou ranks first in most tournaments played (23), most games played (73, including consolation), and most victories (59, including consolation). The Buffanblu are 52-13 (.800) in championship round games and 7-1 (.875) in consolation rounds.

* Coaches with the most state titles:
5 – Al Apo, Kamehameha
4 – Mike Taylor, Punahou
3 – Bobbie Awa, Konawaena; Bernie Ching, Iolani; Clay Cockett, Kamehameha;
Robin Durand, Punahou; Shelley Kahuanui-Fey, Punahou

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com/sports/basketball_girls/tournament/2010