Molina flashes versatility in Wildcats' win Friday


If there were any questions about Chanelle Molina's versatility, they were largely answered Friday night.

Molina, a junior guard and the reigning All-Hawaii Division I Player of the Year, scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds to go with five assists to lead Konawaena in a thrilling 49-41 upset of Riverdale Baptist — the 17th-ranked team in the country by MaxPreps — but did most of her damage while out of position.

The 5-foot-8 Molina spent most of her time at the high post, attacking the middle of the Crusaders' defense. She held her own against 6-foot-2 star forward Lena Niang, who will play at North Carolina State next year.

"She's doing an amazing job," Wildcats' coach Bobbie Awa said of Molina. "With this team we wanted her in the middle where she can have attacking lanes, get to the high post, get open, make quick decisions with the ball and if she's wide open, then take that shot."

In her first two seasons, Molina took care of most of the ball-handling duties out of the point guard position, but with post players Mercedes (concussion) and Victoria Victor (elbow) out with injuries this week — and a clear lack of height otherwise — Molina moved into the paint.

"She did a very good job and she's playing out of position, but she's very well rounded as a player and she's doing a great job," Awa said.

Konawaena has a trio of high-profiled transfers in senior guards Aloha Salem and Lindsey and Taylor Bates — all of whom played at Lahainaluna last year — and are still in the process of gelling, but Molina says it is coming along nicely.

"From now on all we can do is get better," Molina said. "Our chemistry is getting better. We know where we're going to cut to the basket and when to pass the ball, so our chemistry is getting stronger with every practice and every game."

Oahu prep basketball fans with have one more chance to see Molina and the Wildcats live when they take on Saint Mary's (Stockton, Calif.) in the 8 p.m. Iolani Classic final Saturday.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].