HHSAA Girls Basketball
Liftee leads Honoka’a to state title over KS-Hawaii, 54-35


  



Sat, Feb 8, 2014 @ Blaisdell


Final 1 2 3 4  
KS-Hawaii (9-4, 14-9) 8 613835
Honokaa (11-2, 16-3) 10 15 16 1354
H. Liftee 24 pts  6/9 FTs
C. Poe 19 pts  5/9 FTs
H. Liftee 12 tot  2 off  10 def
C. Poe 8 tot  5 off  3 def

HONOLULU – History would be made no matter the outcome; Hunter Liftee just made sure it would be written with Honoka’a headlining the record books.

The senior center poured in game-highs in points (24), and rebounds (12), to lift the Dragons to the first ever state championship in school history. Honoka’a, the top-seeded team in the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Division I Girls Basketball Championships, dominated the game from start to finish to rout the KS-Hawaii Warriors, 54-35, Saturday evening at the Blaisdell Center.

“It feels so great to finally win and make history,” said Liftee, the most outstanding player on the All-Tournament team. “Coming from me because I’m a senior, and for (all) my (other) seniors, just winning this game is like the best thing ever. I can’t explain how happy I am.” 

The Dragons’ first-ever state title in basketball also prevented the birth of the first dynasty of the decade as KS-Hawaii was looking to three-peat as Division II champions. This was the Warriors’ fourth straight appearance in the title game, their eight in the last 10 years.

“Through it all, it was a tough season for us. (I’m) just proud of them getting to the state championship again,” said KS-Hawaii coach Garret Arima. “Unfortunately we couldn’t pull it out.” 

Liftee’s outstanding play over shadowed an emotional performance from KS-Hawaii’s Casey Poe, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven steals. Poe like Liftee, was playing in their high school careers. 

“Casey has been a four-year starter for us. I’ve coached Casey in middle school and through her four years in high school. She’s done so much for our program, all of her accolades on and off the court,” Arima said on Poe. “She was always are go-to player for us. Her career is moving on, I wish her the best.” 

A big factor in the Dragons’ win was in their ability to share the ball. Their unselfish ball movement allowed eight different players to notch at least a point in the contest. To contrast this, KS-Hawaii only had four players who finished in the scoring column.

“Just sharing the ball with each other and finding the openings,” Liftee said when asked what was their key in their victory.

Despite the lopsided score, it was the Warriors who had the lead early. KS-Hawaii won the opening tip and Riana Arima was able to race past the defense for the first points of the game. Poe followed this up with a steal and finish while the Dragons were still in the backcourt. This gave KS-Hawaii a 4-0 lead within the first 15 seconds of the game.

However, Honoka’a remained unfazed, rattling eight straight to take a four-point lead midway through the first quarter. This strong surge helped the Dragons take a 10-8 lead into the second quarter.

Poe helped the Warriors stay in the game throughout the second frame, but was without the help needed to keep pace with Honoka’a. The Dragons led 25-14 at the half.

Unable to get shots to fall, KS-Hawaii turned up their intensity when going for loose balls. This resulted in the Warriors coming up with a handful of offensive rebounds and put backs on their missed free throw. By using this method, the Warriors were able to cut the lead down to six with 6:22 to go in the third quarter.

This unorthodox offensive strategy almost worked, but the Warriors had no answer for Liftee on the defensive side of the ball. After KS-Hawaii’s Makamae Gabriel made a tough layup in the lane to make the score 29-23, Liftee took over, scoring eight of the Dragons’ 12 points the rest of the quarter. The score was 41-27 heading into the final period of regulation. 

“Hunter’s been one of our forces that we’ve had underneath the basket all season long,” Honoka’a coach Daphne Honma. “It’s something that she’s wanted and worked really hard to, and I think she’s improved her game a lot. Her shoes are definitely going to be tough to fill after this.” 

Another key factor in the Dragons’ victory was the play of Chancis Fernandez. The 5-foot-6 senior finished with 12 points and six rebounds, and also had the tough responsibility of guarding Poe. 

“She’s been the steady for us all season long,” Honma said on Fernandez. “She’s just a great athlete. She’s been a huge a part of our success, just a great team player. Whatever needs to get done, she’ll get it done.” 

The combination of Liftee, Fernandez, and the overall unselfish play of the Dragons were too much for the Warriors to overcome and the Dragons were able to come away with victorious.

“I just think tonight is a great combination for them, especially for the four seniors,” Honma said after the game. “It’s been a long ride and they’ve worked really hard. I’m really happy for them that we got to finish out the season this way, and the four girls get to close out their careers this way. I couldn’t be more happier for these guys; looking forward to next year.”

Division II All-Tournament Team

Chancis Fernandez, Honoka’a

Casey Poe, KS-Hawaii

Riana Arima, KS-Hawaii

Carly Kakuda, Kalani

Penina Faumui, Farrington

Most Outstanding Player: Hunter Liftee, Honoka’a



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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