Warriors roll over Rams

The Kamehameha Warriors have a love for this game of basketball.

In fact, they're head over heels about the very aspect that produces championships: defense. Tatriana Lorenzo provided 18 points, six rebounds and three steals as Kamehameha overwhelmed Radford 48-28 last night in the opening round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division I State Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"I love defense. If you play tough defense, you'll get rewarded with easy layups," said Lorenzo, a senior who will play at Gonzaga next season.

Rhani Kaneaiakala, a sophomore forward, added 11 points, including 7-for-9 shooting from the foul line. Junior Johanna Sai added nine points and six boards.

For the most part, a boisterous pro-Warrior crowd saw Kamehameha use defense -- the fuel that sent the Warriors (11-4) to the state tourney -- to dominate a Radford squad that ruled the Oahu Interscholastic Association West.

"It was a little too little, too late," Radford coach David Lane said. "We worked so hard on offense and didn't hit open shots. I noticed in warm-ups we were off. We were really tight in the first half."

The 2-3 zone that stifled Punahou and Iolani did a number on Radford's offense, which got a combined 6-for-31 shooting performance from scoring leaders Kamia Smith and Marlena Malepeai.

Kamehameha limited Radford to 17 percent shooting from the field (8-for-48).

At Stan Sheriff Center

Radford (12-4)	5	6	6	11	--	28
Kamehameha (11-4)	11	12	11	14	--	48

RADFORD--Leslie Lazo 0, Nicole Grebe 1, Celina Cruz 0, Ashley Rioux 1, Marlena Malepeai 9, Frances Respicio 0, Brittini Fuller 2, Kiara Dykes 0, Kamia Smith 9, Chelsea-Ann Villanueva 6, Gabby Rellin 0, Marsharen DuPont 0, Chadney Thompson 0.

KAMEHAMEHA--Miki Nakamura 2, Alexis Furtado 3, Johanna Sai 9, Analee Viena Lota 0, Pomaikai Kalakau 0, Lindsey Wong 0, Piikea Kalakau 0, Tatriana Lorenzo 18, Leah Godinet 1, Kauiokeola Todd 2, Kylle Roy 0, Casey Lum 2, Rhani Kaneaiakala 11.

3-point goals--Radford 1 (Smith), Kamehameha 1 (Furtado).

Konawaena 60, Kalaheo 38

Jazzmin Awa-Williams poured in 26 points, including 15 in a scintillating first half, as the Wildcats won the matchup of runners-up from the BIIF and OIA.

"They were packing it in, so I started shooting (from the perimeter) more," said Awa-Williams, a 5-9 junior. She nailed three treys and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Haunani Liftee, starting for the first time in three weeks, poured in 11 first-half points and finished with 13.

Konawaena won the 2004 state title and lost in overtime to Punahou in last year's final. This year's team has some new players in key roles.

"I think they kind of surprised me. They weren't nervous," Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa said. "Our subs had good composure."

Shanadee Canon led Kalaheo with 10 points.

Konawaena (13-2)	17	22	10	11	--	60
Kalaheo (11-5)	9	14	7	8	--	38

KONAWAENA--Kaua Wall 0, Malia Tanaka 2, Liana Hanato-Smith 0, Kayti Bowman 3, Kara Hanato-Smith 3, Leesa Deniz 6, Haunani Liftee 13, Jazzmin Awa-Williams 25, Mana Hopkins 4, Marissa Minor 0, Lucy Brown 0.

KALAHEO--Hoku Kaiu-Denning 6, Delicia Wilson 2, Lohi Aweau 5, Nova Bird 0, Anu Ah Yun 0, Shanadee Canon 10, Brianne Villarosa 0, Caira Pires 1, Katie Lintz 2, Kendra Fischer 12, Kaliko Kepa 0.

3-point goals--Konawaena 7 (Liftee 3, Awa-Williams 3, K. Hanato-Smith), Kalaheo 2 (Aweau, Fischer).