Cinderella's stay at the big dance is over.

Top-seeded Konawaena made sure of that, using defensive brilliance to stifle unseeded 'Iolani 54-22 in one of the most lopsided Division I semifinal games in the history of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships.

'Iolani (15-8 overall) had upset Farrington in the quarterfinals, but had no solution for Konawaena's tough man-to-man defense, which amassed 15 steals. Dawnyelle Awa had a game-high seven picks.

“;We tried different defenses, different offenses, but whatever we threw at them didn't work,”; Raiders coach Eddie Maruyama said. “;They're just a very good basketball team. They have experience, talent and they're well-coached.”;

Defending Division I state champion Konawaena posted its 45th consecutive win over a Hawaii team. Its last loss locally was to Punahou on Dec. 12, 2008, at the 'Iolani Classic.

The Wildcats (25-1) did another dismantling, coming off a 59-31 wipeout of Kapolei on Wednesday. 'Iolani, fatigued from a third game in as many nights, trailed by 14 points early and never got closer. The Raiders shot 21 percent (8-for-39) and committed 24 turnovers.

Unlike the Kapolei game, Awa and Lia Galdeira didn't have to score big. Each managed 10 points to pace the 'Cats. Galdeira and Anuhea Wall grabbed seven rebounds each as Konawaena owned a 42-19 edge on the glass.

“;We had other girls who can handle the ball and shoot well,”; Galdeira said. “;We didn't rely on one person. We just ran the floor and did our jobs.”;

Konawaena was prepared after watching the Raiders play on Wednesday.

“;We worked on breaking their press. We did that pretty easily, but we didn't finish well,”; coach Bobbie Awa said.

The Wildcats also had some understanding of 'Iolani's more recent offensive wrinkles. They took away most of the entry passes 'Iolani normally sends to Alex Masaquel and crowded the 3-point arc.

“;We pride ourselves on our defense. That's what gets us here every year,”; coach Awa said. “;Everybody was so excited before the game. Once they got a lead, they settled down.”;

Konawaena had beaten 'Iolani twice in preseason.

“;They're so different now, much stronger and quicker,”; the Konawaena coach added.

Masaquel and Georgette Lopes-Liutolo had four points each to lead 'Iolani.

The Wildcats controlled the game from the start, getting to the foul line and hitting open shots in an almost effortless manner. Awa scored seven points, including a trey from the left wing, as Konawaena took a 16-2 lead.

'Iolani scrapped its man-to-man defense in favor of a 2-3 zone after that, slowing the tempo to a crawl. Konawaena led at the half 25-11.

“;Once we got the lead, maybe 15 points, you know 'Iolani doesn't give up,”; Dawnyelle Awa said. “;But they weren't showing as much intensity like (Wednesday).”;

If not for a 3-pointer by Lopes-Liutolo, Konawaena would've shut out the Raiders in the third quarter.