Lahainaluna's Keleah-Aiko Koloi grabs a rebound over Radford defenders. Peter Caldwell | SL

×

021215_PETE_Didnt_Name_His_Files_Right_5.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

SALT LAKE—Lahainaluna crushed Radford, 68-24 in the New City Nissan/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Divison I Girls Basketball State Championship quarterfinals at Moanalua High School on Wednesday evening.

The Lady Lunas, the second seed in the tournament and ranked second in the ScoringLive/OC 16 Girls Basketball Power Rankings will advance to play third-seeded Maryknoll in the semifinals at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium at 5 p.m.

"Maryknoll is no different, they have a great coaching staff and have an excellent system and it will be a dog fight," said Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard.

The Rams, ranked ninth in the Power Rankings, will play sixth ranked Hilo at Moanalua at 7 p.m.

Four Lahainaluna starters scored in double figures: Cameron Fernandez scored a team-high 17 points, Keleah-Aiko Koloi and Fa-Ko-Fiemea Hafoka each added 15 points, and Folau Hafoka with 11.

"It's always good to have scorers, but I think our younger girls have to get more involved. Once a team starts keying in on certain players, they will put pressure on our younger players and they need to step up," said Rickard.

The Lady Lunas outrebounded the Rams, 43-27. Koloi grabbed 17 rebounds.

Lahainaluna got out 10-0 lead with 3:54 remaining in the quarter. Tanisha Elbourne got the Rams on the scoreboard with a 3-pointer from the right wing with 1:28 left in the quarter. Hafoka scored six of the Lady Lunas' 14 quarter points.

"Lahaina is a well-oiled machine, coaches do a great job with that program and they did what we expected them to do. We came out flat, we did not show up tonight," said Radford coach Charles Chong.

The Lady Lunas were able to push the lead to as much as 20 points and went on a 10-3 run to close out the second quarter. Kennedy Johnson and Jasmine Moody scored Radford's only field goals. The Rams shot 8 of 12 from the free throw line in the quarter.

"We told the girls they have to be ready from the get go. I think defensively we were a little sluggish, but once our legs got moving, we did a pretty good job," said Rickard.

Radford shot 3 of 20 (15 percent) from the field in the first half and finished 7 of 39 (24.1 percent) for the game. Lahainaluna shot 13 of 29 (44.8 percent) in the first half, 28 of 62 (45.2 percent) for the game.

The Lady Lunas forced 26 Radford turnovers and racked up 23 steals. Fiemea tallied eight steals and Folau Hafoka had seven steals.

"We knew they were trying to push the tempo. We had to take our time and play together, handle their press, but don't rush. We played right into our hands and I hope it's a good learning experience for the younger girls," said Chong. "They will make you pay."

Lahainaluna went up big, 33-18 at halftime.

The Lady Lunas opened up the third quarter on a 13-0 run and outscored the Rams, 18-4 to take a 51-19 lead going into the fourth. Lahainaluna outscored Radford 35-9 in the second half.

Jasmine Moody led Radford with 10 points and 10 rebounds, she shot 6 of 8 (75 percent) from the free throw line.

"We had to try and shut her down and no one person could stop that girl. She is a great a player and I wish her the best of luck," said Rickard.