Kapaa routs Hanalani to claim first ever basketball state title

Brien Ing | SL

For the first time in HHSAA history, a basketball title is headed back to the Garden Island.

Kapaa capped off a perfect season in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation with a leave-no-doubt, 54-37, win over Hanalani to win the 2023 Heide & Cook/HHSAA Division II girls basketball championship.

"It's the greatest feeling, and as a team we did it," said Kapaa head coach Neil Fagarang. "We brought home the koa, and its for the whole community of Kauai, especially for Kapaa, they've been so supportive."

Olivia Malafu, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, poured in a game-high 19 points and Denise Alfonso nearly notched a triple double with nine points, eight assists and eight rebounds to pace the Warriors, who led the game from start to finish.

"She's been very important," said Alfonso of Malafu. "Via's the type of player who's always there to pick you up, always there when anything happens."

Kapaa had an impressive 15 assists on 24 made baskets, compared to just four for the Royals, testament to the Warriors' decidedly team-first approach its preached all season.

"It's all our coach has been talking about, all we've been tauight all season, that you can't win a state title by yourself, but you can do it with a team," Alfonso remarked.

Defense, however, was an even bigger key, as Kapaa held Hanalani to just 27% from the field and 17% from beyond the arc, where it made just 2 of 12 attempts. The Warriors notched 12 steals compared to just four for the Royals, and forced three more turnovers (18 to 15), parlaying those 18 turnovers into 13 points.

"We communicate with each other which is a key point for our team and helped each other," said Malafu. "We work as a team and we talk it out."

Kapaa put the game all but out of reach in the fourth quarter, doubling a 10 point lead in the first four minutes of the final period with a 12-2 run that was capped off by an Angeline Nizo jumper.

A 5-0 spurt by the Royals cut the margin to 15 at the 2:04 mark, but it was too little too late.

Ellana Klemp finished with a team-high 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Royals, but largely was held in check by the Warriors' swarming defense. Maria Ralar came off the bench and was a spark, scoring 10 points and adding seven rebounds.

The title win for Kapaa is marks the first ever by a KIF team in basketball, boys or girls. The best finish prior to tonight was a runner-up placing by Kauai High girls in 2012.

"Its massive, there's no word can explain how this feels," said Alfonso. "To come home, and prove everyone wrong that doubted us and to just show out and come back next year, it meant a lot."

HHSAA Division II Girls Basketball All-Tournament Team
(as selected by the media and HHSAA)

Denise Alfonso, Kapaa
Ellana Klemp, Hanalani
KeanuMarie Huihui, KS-Hawaii
Maela Honma, KS-Hawaii
Brooke Samura, HPA

Most Outstanding Player
Olivia Malafu, Kapaa