Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Konawaena girls’ basketball team picked up where they left off last season and are bringing home another trophy.

The girls – led by Lia Galdeira, Dawnyelle Awa and Anuhea Wall – ran away from Brea Olinda, Calif. in Saturday evening’s final of the Iolani Classic on Oahu.

Although Brea Olinda made a late charge and cut the lead to five points in the fourth quarter, Konawaena stepped up and secured a 50-40 victory.

Brea Olinda opened up a 7-point lead in the second quarter, but Konawaena battled back to level it at 21 going into half time.

The California team knocked out Konawaena in the semifinals of last year’s Iolani Classic and went on to win the tournament. This year, Brea Olinda is USA Today’s 11th-ranked girls basketball team.

Earlier in the tournament, Konawaena downed Bishop Gorman, of Las Vegas, 77-61, and also topped Oregon City, 62-53.

Next week, the Wildcats head to the Tournament of Champions in Arizona.

In the third place game, Oregon City edged Iolani, 63-54.

According to Paul Honda, sports write for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, tops in the tournament:

Most outstanding player: Lia Galdeira, Konawaena (3 games, 63 points, 24-for-44 FG, 12-15 FT, 28 rebounds, six assists, 15 steals, one block, seven turnovers). Most valuable player: Dawnyelle Awa, Konawaena (3 games, 32 points, 8-for-22 FG, 16-for-21 FT, 22 assists, four steals, four blocks, eight turnovers).

Most valuable player: Dawnyelle Awa, Konawaena (3 games, 32 points, 8-for-22 FG, 16-for-21 FT, 22 assists, four steals, four blocks, eight turnovers)

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Also Saturday at the Hilo High Holiday Prep Classic

Championship: Maryknoll 47, Iolani 41
Third: Waiakea 47, Kealakehe 33
Fifth: Hilo 80, Pahoa 64
Seventh: Keaau 66, Kohala 64.