Team Aloha goes 3-1 at 'Tournament of Champions'


Team Aloha, a squad of Hawai'i high school girls basketball standouts from across the state, went 3-1 this past weekend at the prestigious "Tournament of Champions" in Santa Ana, Calif.

Team Aloha finished in third place in the 17-and-under National Division -- the top class in the tournament. The showcase event was held Saturday and Sunday at Mater Dei High School, with many college recruiterts in attendance.

Team Aloha won its opening game against Balboa (Calif.) Hills, 68-35, Konawaena standout Lia Galdeira scored 17 points, Punahou's Mysha Staraka added 11 points and Toe Motu (Kapolei) and Dawnyelle Awa (Konawaena) each contributed with 10 points.

In its second game, Team Aloha started strong and routed the California Sting, 65-41, led by 12 points from 'Iolani sophomore Alex Masaquel, 11 points from Sataraka and 10 each from Galdeira and Motu.

That victory advanced Team Aloha to the semifinals, where it faced a SoCal Magic Black squad led by four players from perennial California powerhouse Mater Dei. Magic Black won, 52-48, but Team Aloha stayed close throughout and received 11 points from Kamehameha freshman Alohi Robins-Hardy.

Team Aloha then rebounded with a 48-46 win over Salesian (Calif.) Force Elite, with 'Iolani junior Kylie Maeda draining a 3-pointer in the closing seconds for the game-winnner. Galdeira led the offense with 13 points and Masaquel added 10 points.

Other members of Team Aloha were 'Iolani freshman Jade Botelho, Kaimuki junior Dejah Fa'asoa, Kauai sophomore Kristle Henry and Leilehua sophomore Carissa McBride. 

The team was coached by former 'Aiea and University of Hawaii standout Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, who was assisted by Team Aloha founder and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.