Varsity Girls Basketball Moves To States, 51-47
Feb. 20, 2009
by Al Linsky
After a tough, close win over a good Sacred Hearts team on Wednesday, the final barrier to a coveted HHSAA state championship berth was an excellent Kamehameha Warriors team.
Back on January 3rd, the Raiders got a double overtime, 37-35 victory at 'Iolani gym.
On January 20, at the Kamehameha campus, the Raiders won in another nail biter, 56-55.
On January 31, back home again, the Warriors put on offensive show that let everyone know how good they can be, winning easily 61-44.
So here we are having to face these same Warriors for a State berth. Winner moves on, loser goes home. What a great setup for a basketball junkie!
I saw two possible scenarios. First, the Warriors get out fast and go on to a convincing victory. Second, the Raiders withstand the Warriors pressure, hang within striking distance and pull it out with clutch play at the end.
I've been pretty much totally wrong on this team all season, so I had no right to think any of this made sense, but that's what makes it fun!
It started out with great intensity but not a lot of scoring. The first quarter ended with the Raiders ahead 8-7. I looked at this as a good sign with maybe my second scenario going to work out.
As the game moved on, the Warriors started to dominate, with Alexis Furtado making some killer steals and Lindsey Wong making some big shots. It was 24-21, Warriors, at the half. But, although squirming, it looked to me as though the Warriors took their best shot and although they gained a small lead, the Raiders hung in there.
The third quarter saw the Raiders make a nice run and tie it at 35-35.
This is what it's all about folks. Two great teams slugging it out in an all or nothing game, all tied up after three quarters!
In the fourth quarter the Raiders played their best basketball of the season. Kylie Maeda, especially, was everywhere making steals and hitting big shots. Mahina Haina was a monster on the boards getting the big rebounds over some pretty ferocious Warriors.
The three point shooting was excellent again with Kylie getting 2, Lahela Usui 2, and Tami Konishi, Lori Yamashita and Georgette Lopes-Liutolo all getting one.
This was a great accomplishment that rates way up on my virtual scoreboard. Remember, this team lost all five starters from last year's team. To make States this year is more than impressive.
On to States!
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
