The Kalani Falcons celebrate after winning the OIA Division II title. Steve Erler | SL

×

_17012752_01_26_17_moan_kalan_steve_erler_100.jpg - Steve Erler | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

WAIPAHU — The Kalani Falcons gave everything they had in the second half to top Moanalua, 66-49, for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II title at Waipahu High's Gymnasium Thursday night.

Kalani used a balanced attack to defeat Na Menehune for its fourth league title, and first since 2008 when it won the OIA Division I crown. Four players scored in double figures and eight players registered assists in the Falcons' championship win.

Logan Luke led the way with 19 points, Daesha Viela had 14, Kirstin Kouchi added 11 and Kaylie Espinas added 10 to round out Kalani's top scorers.

"Our team worked really hard all week," said Luke, who added three assists and three steals. "We've been pushing and pushing more than we've every pushed all season because this was our goals since the beginning of the season."

The Falcons were able to neutralize the effectiveness of Moanalua's post with an up-tempo game that put a full court press all night long. Even though Kalani's 35-32 halftime lead grew in the second half, the Falcons had the gas pedal on throughout the entire contest.

"More than anything else, I'm very happy for the girls," said Kalani coach Chi Mok. "It's about them and how they played tonight. Pregame we didn't talk too much basketball stuff. We talked about heart, playing 32 minutes of heart and they went out there. They couldn't give out anymore and I think they gave it all they had, especially our bigs versus their bigs. They battled and I'm so proud of them."

Kouchi, a senior that knocked down her first 3-point shot attempts, affirmed Mok's words.

"After halftime we gave it everything else that we got, played for 16 more minutes and we just wanted to win it," she said.

Moanalua, who shot 14-for-19 in the first half, struggled against the Falcons' full court press and committed 26 turnovers in the loss.

"We prepared for it, but we just couldn't get someone in the middle, that was it," said Moanalua coach Tani Almont-Done. "That was the halftime talk, get somebody in the middle. We just couldn't get that together to break the press. We were ready for it, but (Kalani) did a good job tonight."

Delylah Sanerivi had 14 points and 13 boards to lead Moanalua in the loss.