Raiders’ high is Buffanblu’s low

The investigation is on.

Even longtime statistician Alan Lau, the human abacus, can't remember the last time Punahou scored just 20 points in a game.

In fact, Iolani's 29-20 girls basketball win over Punahou on Saturday had a combined total that barely eclipsed the football game between the two schools last fall. Punahou won that game 24-20.

The win kept Iolani atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings and solidified the Raiders' iron grip on the No. 1 ranking in today's Star-Bulletin Top 10 poll.

Some of No. 2 Punahou's troubles in the paint were the result of Iolani's defense. The Raiders' low posts -- Jamie Smith, Keilyn Fujioka (6-0), Megan Burton (6-2) and Alana Wall -- created a lot of traffic under the basket.

The Buffanblu's Shawna-Lei Kuehu managed to score 11 points against a group of fresh centers and forwards that kept rotating into the game.

"We just tried to stop (Kuehu's) inside game because that's where she's strong," Fujioka said. "I guess today she was off her game. She'll probably come up stronger next time."

Iolani coach Glenn Takara viewed the victory from another perspective.

"For these seniors, we got over the hump of (not) beating Punahou. The last time we beat them was when we had Ginger (Gravelle)," he said of the former all-state forward.

Two years ago, Gravelle was the lone senior on a squad dominated by sophomores. Those underclassmen have matured, however, and Iolani is now clearly the team to beat.

Streak continues: A nonconference loss by Konawaena had watchers shrugging about the 2004 state champion. The Wildcats have since rebounded and won over a lot of longtime basketball observers on the Big Island.

Saturday's 45-40 win at Hilo was compelling because the Wildcats played without starting guard Haunani Liftee. Jazmin Awa-Williams scored 24 points and sophomore Mana Hopkins hauled down 10 rebounds as the Wildcats fought off the Vikings.

The win gave fourth-ranked Konawaena 61 straight wins in Big Island Interscholastic Federation play. The streak gets a stiff challenge on Friday when the 'Cats visit Honokaa in the Dragons' lair: Lester Bryan Armory.

"After playing both and seeing Kona play Waiakea, I give the edge to Kona for a more disciplined offense and tenacious defense," Kamehameha-Hawaii coach Kimo Miller said. "They know how to win as a team, where Honokaa can only say Keisha (Kanekoa) knows how to win for them."

Miller believes Honokaa's home crowd is worth at least six points, perhaps as many as eight. Honokaa is ranked No. 3 in this week's Top 10.