Konawaena ousts the OIA's last chance
POSTED: Friday, February 27, 2009
With the game on the line, Konawaena's diaper dandies were clutch performers. Freshmen Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa scored the Wildcats' final eight points, shooting 6-for-7 from the foul line in the final 2:08 to advance to the final 51-43.
Second-seeded Konawaena outrebounded No. 3 seed Farrington 44-34. Kimberly Brown had 14 boards and six points, and the Govs had 25 turnovers.
“;Kim played humongous for us,”; Wildcats coach Bobbie Awa said.
Konawaena (14-0) took a 40-39 lead on a drive to the bucket by another freshman, Makayla Awa, with 5:36 left. It was the 10th and final lead change of the game. From that point, the 'Cats spread the floor and forced the Governors to chase.
Farrington struggled all game long to get open looks on the low post and went more than 4 minutes without a point down the stretch.
A foul shot by Anuhea Wall, plus a fast-break play between the Awa cousins and a foul shot by Galdeira pushed the lead to 44-39 with 2:08 left.
Farrington responded with a low-post basket by Sofia Folaumahina, but Galdeira came up with a huge play on the offensive glass. On a free-throw miss by Brown, Galdeira raced across the lane for a putback and three-point play. It was a key play that gave Konawaena a 47-41 lead with 1:15 to go.
Farrington (19-2) got no closer than four the rest of the way.
It was a battle of matchups for both teams. Konawaena often played with four guards on the floor, while Farrington stayed with its normal lineup with two or three post scorers.
Galdeira finished with 18 points, six boards and five steals to pace the 'Cats. Thea Hanato-Smith added eight points, and point guard Kara Hanato-Smith was the glue in their pressbreaker.
“;They broke our defense down,”; Farrington coach Caroline Tatupu said. “;We tried to take (Galdeira) out of the picture, but we broke down defensively.”;
No Governor scored in double figures. Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo had nine points and the Govs shot 32 percent (14-for-44).
The game opened with highlight-quality plays by Galdeira (hanging scoop shot) and Tatupu-Leopoldo (back-to-back NBA 3-point bombs) before both defenses locked in.
A 3-pointer by Valerie Lesu gave the Govs an 18-16 lead early in the third quarter, and they held it until the opening moments of the second half.
Galdeira fed Misilosa Uulopa for a layup and followed that with a 3-pointer from the corner to give Konawaena a 28-26 lead. The Wildcats continued to run their “;5-out”; offense, spreading the floor to examine mismatches, and then attacked any Gov post player from the 3-point line.
Awa, in particular, was effective at driving and dishing to open teammates as two or three Govs converged.
Conversely, the Wildcats were able to help from the weak side when Farrington looked inside to Liana.
Awa's accuracy at the line was key. She practiced shooting foul shots with her eyes closed in the days before the tourney.
“;I keep shooting them 'til I miss,”; she said. “;I can make six or seven (in a row), I'm not sure.”;
| Farrington (19-2) | 10 | 16 | 5 | 12 | — | 43 | |
| Konawaena (14-0) | 12 | 11 | 11 | 17 | — | 51 |
FARRINGTON—Natalie Mata 7, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 9, Kirsten Liana 8, Valerie Lesu 7, Lusina Otineru 0, Lucky Crichton 3, Precious Maave 0, Janell Nance 6, Macilee Moi 0, Sofia Folaumahina 3.
KONAWAENA—Kara Hanato-Smith 3, Lia Galdeira 18, Anuhea Wall 1, Dawnyelle Awa 5, Misilosa Uulopa 3, Thea Hanato-Smith 8, Makayla Awa 7, Kimberly Brown 6.
3-point goal—Farrington 3 (Tatupu-Leopoldo 2, Lesu), Konawaena 2 (Hanato-Smith, Galdeira).
Consolation games
Fifth-place bracket
Roosevelt 51, Aiea 50
'Iolani 53, Baldwin 44
Consolation final
Kalani 64, Kailua 52
