After completing a stellar season 14-0 in league play, the Lady Eagles finished second in the State Championship, losing 33-31 to defending State Champion Honoka’a from the Big Island.
The Eagles jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, and went into the second half 17-12. Heading into the fourth quarter, their lead dwindled to points. With 13 seconds left, the score stood at 33-28 until junior guard Stephanie Dang banked in a triple to trim the deficit to 33-31. Honoka’a was forced to burn two timeouts due to the Eagles’ suffocating defense on the ensuing inbounds plays. The Eagles then pressured Honoka’a into an errant inbounds pass, which the Eagles were able to recover. They didn’t get a shot off, and when time expired the Honoka’a team celebrated its title defense.
Dang led the Eagles with 12 points, while Honoka’a senior Shayla Ignacio had a game high 13. The Eagles were well-represented in the DII All-Tournament team by Dang and senior guards Riley Wada and Jenee Brown. Ignacio collected Most Outstanding Player honors.
On the way to their title bid, Eagles steam-rolled Castle 64-42 in the quarter finals, then easily disposed of Kamehameha by a score of 53-40 in the semis. Eagle’s senior guard Rylie Wada scored a game high 17 points, while Kamehameha senior Riana Arima led the Warriors with 13.
The boys team concluded the regular season with a 10-2 record in league play, and defeated the Hanalani Royals 61-55 to capture the DII ILH Championship for the first time in 5 years. Senior point guard BJ Hosaka and junior center Isaac Liva combined to score 47 points, and Royal’s senior guard Jeff Schaake spear-headed the Royal’s losing effort with 29 points. The state championship tournament runs from February 26 through 28.
Photographs courtesy of James Miura.
