StarBulletin.com

Punahou girls in prime spot


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POSTED: Monday, February 23, 2009

Defending champion Punahou, which has not played in more than a week, drew the No. 1 seed from the HHSAA committee for this week's Hawaiian Airlines State Girls Basketball State Championships. The committee selected the ILH champions (16-3, 11-1 league) over Big Isle champ Konawaena (25-2, 12-0), which has the No. 2 seed.

Farrington (24-5, 18-1) has the No. 3 seed. The Govs, who were ranked No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10 for several weeks, felt the sting of its playoff loss to Roosevelt a little more than a week ago. The Governors had been unbeaten in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red and rebounded from the loss to beat Roosevelt for the league title on Saturday—spared by the league's new double-elimination format.

The committee was not so kind, however. Coincidentally, Punahou edged Farrington 53-47 in nonconference play two months ago.

Lahainaluna (21-1, 13-0), the Maui champion, is the No. 4 seed.

The seeded teams (league champions) have a bye through tomorrow's opening round. Among the toughest matchups is Roosevelt and Waiakea, pitting the runners-up from the OIA and Big Island Interscholastic Federation.

Division I games will be played at Farrington and Kaimuki before moving to Blaisdell Arena on Thursday.

Kahuku drew the No. 1 seed in the Division II state tourney. Other seeded teams are Kamehameha-Hawaii, Maryknoll and Molokai in succession.

» Brackets.