Mid-Pac is back in the Top 10 poll

The 9-spot has been unkind to teams in the Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball Top 10 this season.

Two weeks ago, Mid-Pacific made a surprise swing into the poll and landed at No. 9. The Owls then got knocked off the perch by Sacred Hearts and were replaced by Hilo.

Today, the Owls are back in the poll. A stunning 40-39 win over then-third ranked Kamehameha on Friday has voters believing again.

Hilo, meanwhile, fell to surging Waiakea 46-36 and dropped out of the poll for the second time this season.

The fickle nature of voters didn't end there. Though Iolani and Punahou are locked at the first two spots, the rest of the poll involved switcheroos with the exception of No. 10 Punahou II.

Honokaa and Konawaena, the lone unbeaten teams on the Big Island, zoomed ahead. The Dragons, who are ranked third this week, and the No. 4 Wildcats don't meet until April 21. However, that doesn't mean easy travels for either squad.

Konawaena, which won the state crown two seasons ago and finished second last year, will visit Hilo on Saturday. Hilo's sensational freshman, Vicky Tagalicod, faced constant double teams and finished with just nine points in a 46-36 loss at Waiakea last week.

Showdown Saturday: No. 1 and No. 2 are heading for a key battle on Saturday when Iolani visits Punahou. Tip-off is set for an unusual time of 1 p.m.

The showdown, however, could be spoiled a bit long before Saturday. Kamehameha hosts Punahou tomorrow. For the Warriors, who have a loss in league play, a win would be vital to their title hopes. The top team in Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular-season play earns an automatic state berths.

Tip-off at Kekuhaupio Gym is set for 6:30 p.m.