Konawaena's Lia Galdeira (23) in action back in 2009. (Hawaii 24/7 file photo)
Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor
Konawaena are state champs! The girls basketball trophy will return to the Big Island, after the Wildcats overpowered their perennial foe Punahou at
Wildcats girls basketball downed Punahou 49-45, Friday evening on Oahu.
Lia Galdeira led Wildcat scoring with 15, while Dawnyelle Awa contributed 13.
Galeira, a junior, was voted the tournament’s most outstanding player by members of the media. Awa and Anuhea Wall were named to the Division I All-Tournament Team.
Konawaena finished the season with a 32-1 record.
It’s the second state championship for Konawaena in three years and fourth overall. The Big Island squad, led by coach Bobbie Awa, also beat the Buffanblu, for the crown in 2009.
This title is the fourth for Awa, who now is tied with Punahou coach Mike Taylor. In the record books, they trial only Kamehameha’s Al Apo, whose teams have won five state championships.
This year’s championship was a bit of deja vu.
The tournaments between 2003 and 2009 were dominated by Punahou and Konawaena. The Buffanblu, coached by Mike Taylor won four times (03, 05, 06, 08) and Awa’s Wildcats won three (04, 07, 09).
Earlier Friday in Division II action, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii came up just short against Radford, 43-42.
That give Kamehameha second place in the state.
HPA romped over University, 35-23, for fifth place in Division II.
Update: The Konawaena Wildcats arrive back at home 8:15 p.m. via Hawaiian Airlines at Kona International Airport Saturday (Feb 5).
— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com
You might be interested in:
