Iolani runs past Konawaena in season opener

Haylie-Anne Ohta (14) converts her steal into a fast break layup to lead a balanced Iolani scoring effort with 11 points. Brandon Ching | SL

KAKAAKO — Different year, same result.

In a rematch of last year's championship game, Iolani made it a one-sided affair against Konawaena, 50-34 on the second day of the Matsumoto Law Group McKinley Girls Basketball Black and Gold Classic at the Student Council Gymnasium.

After losing All-Hawaii First Teamers Jovi Wahinekapu Lefotu (who was in attendance) to graduation and Jaety Mandaquit transferring out of state, the Raiders will rely on a balanced effort. It showed as Haylie-Anne Ohta led the scoring attack with 11 points, Keiki McGee with 10, Abby Tanaka and Kanoe Hanohano each with eight.

Braelyn Kauhi, a All-Hawaii Third Team selection, led all scorers with 12 points and two 3-pointers in the loss. She had back-to-back baskets to open the game to keep Konawaena within two, but Iolani extended the lead and took a 16-9 lead going into the second quarter after Tanaka's triple hit all parts of the rim before dropping in.

Leleiwi Kaanoipua scored for the Wildcats early in the second quarter, but the Raiders poured it on with a 8-0 run led by Hanohano and Callie Pieper and went up by as much as 19.

Konawaena found the bottom of the net and closed out the quarter with a five-point spurt but Iolani led, 32-16 at halftime.

The Wildcats started the third quarter with a 8-0 run off triples from Kaylie Yamasaki and Haikela Hiraishi to get the deficit down to eight. However, the Raiders responded with a 8-2 run to close the quarter and went back up by double digits.

Ohta pushed and scored in transition to go up by 18 in the fourth. Kauhi drained consecutive threes to get Konawaena within 12 but could not get any closer.

Iolani wraps up the Black and Gold Classic slate against Lahainaluna on Friday at 6 p.m. and Campbell on Saturday at the same time.

Konawaena takes on Maryknoll on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Kamehameha-Kapalama on Saturday at the same time slot.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].