Sacred Hearts comes alive in the second half to top Seabury Hall

Brien Ing | SL

Sacred Hearts is going to the big game.

The Lancers rallied from a 20-16 halftime deficit to outlast Seabury Hall, 37-34, in the semifinals of the Heide & Cook Girls Basketball State Championships Friday night at Kalani's Earl C. Holmer Gymnasium.

"It means a lot. At the beginning of the year we had a lot of goals to get the ILH (league title) but we fell short of that, but we fought for that last spot to this tournament, and now we're going to win this. I have full faith in my team and love them with all my heart," said Cadee Paulos.

Nahenahe Alo scored 11 points with five steals to lead Sacred Hearts into Saturday's championship game, where it will face Hawaii Baptist in a 5 p.m. matchup at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena.

"We do know them well, and they know us well," remarked Paulos of the Eagles. "But I think with the defense and the momentum we're having we can really get this."

Defensive pressure was the name of the game for the Lancers, who kept the Spartans uncomfortable running a half court offense to say the least, to the tune of a plus-nine in turnover margin.

"For these last two games, what's been key for us has been the defense," said Paulos. "I feel from the backend of the season we honed in on that and really getting into a groove and on the right track (defensively)."

Whether forced or unforced, the turnover differential likely was the tide turner for the Lancers, as the Spartans actually shot a better field goal percentage (33 percent to 29), three point percentage (25 percent to 20) and a better clip at the free throw line (67 percent to 43).

Pio Tuivai knocked down three triples and finished with 11 points to lead the Spartans, who played its five starters the entire game.