BY BOB HOGUE
DIGITAL SPORTS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
VIDEO: Check back for more interviews & game highlights with Bob Hogue.
Konawaena got what it wanted Tuesday night--a rematch of last year's
state title game against Punahou. That matchup between the Wildcats and
Buffanblu is scheduled for Wednesday. But this time the tables will be turned
as the Wildcats--the defending state champions from the Big Island--are the
underdogs after coming from behind to beat Moanalua in the first round of the
HHSAA Girls Basketball state championships, 52-48.
Mana Hopkins led the way for Konawaena with a game high 27 points
Tuesday, including several key buckets during a fourth quarter run in which the
Wildcats turned around a 3-point deficit to earn a 4-point victory. Konawaena's
ability to break the Menehune press, along with good free throw shooting proved
to be the difference.
Hopkins is now ready to face top-seeded Punahou in the
quarterfinals. "I wish it wasn't this soon , but we're going to be ready to
go," she said afterwards. Konawaena finished as runner-up to Waiakea in this
year's tough BIIF race.
Hopkins wasn't the only Wildcat in double-figures. Kara Hanato-Smith
pitched in with 11 points. Britni Ronolo scored a team-high 21 points for
Moanalua, who led 34-31 after three quarters.
The Menehune now move on to the consolation bracket.
DI Game 1 @
Farrington
|
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
|
Moanalua
(8-9) |
11 |
4 |
19 |
14 |
48 |
|
Konawaena
(11-3) |
8 |
12 |
11 |
21 |
52 |
High scorers: Konawaena – Mana
Hopkins, 27 points; Moanalua – Britni Ronolo, 21
points.
Stats provided by Natalie Webb of HHSAA- Click here for more!