The defending state champion Wildcats became the first Hawai'i team to finish first in the five-year history of the Classic, and also notched what is believed to be the state's first victory over a nationally ranked team.

Konawaena defeated highly regarded Oregon City (Ore.) Friday night and Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman on Thursday. 

"This is good for the whole state," Wildcats coach Bobbie Awa said. "This tournament has some very good Mainland competition and it puts our teams from Hawai'i into the game."

Lia Galdeira, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, led the way with 15 points for Konawaena, which outscored Brea Olinda 29-19 in the second half to come away with victory.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 10-4 lead before the Ladycats closed it to 10-8 by scoring back-to-back baskets in the final 26 seconds of the first period.

Brea Olinda then began the second quarter with a 7-0 run capped by Ana Kim's 17-foot jumper three minutes into it, but Konawaena scratched its way back and eventually tied it at 21-21 after two free throws by Hokulani Liftee with 1:21 remaining.

"They were playing a triangle-and-two on Lia and me, so at halftime we talked about the other girls needing to step up, and they did," said Wildcats senior point guard Dawnyelle Awa, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.  

After Brea Olinda took its last lead at 24-23 on Taylor Spears' layup 75 seconds into the second half, Konawaena responded with a 10-1 run with Liftee both starting and capping it with layups. Makani Wall later drained a 3-pointer and then a 12-foot bank shot at the third period buzzer to give the Wildcats a 38-27 lead heading into the fourth.

Brea Olinda closed it to 45-40 after a mid-range jumper by Keitra Wallace with 2:42 left, but Galdeira answered with a driving layup 10 seconds later and the Ladycats could not get inside seven points the rest of the way.

Wall finished with 11 points, including seven in the third period, and Liftee added 10 points.

"Kona is a very good team," Brea Olinda coach Kim Cram-Torres said. "A lot of people focus on one or two individuals, but I'm more impressed with how well they play together as a team. They have some good skill players but they also are very seasoned with a lot of experience. They would compete very well with high-level teams in Southern California."

Wallace, a 5-foot-11 Ladycat post headed to Pepperdine, led all scorers with 18 points.

Konawaena will next head to the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona from Dec. 19 through Dec. 22.

THIRD PLACE

Oregon City 63, 'Iolani 54

Montana Walters and Catelyn Preston each scored 13 points to lead the Pioneers, who finished last season ranked third in the state.

The first period ended tied at 17-17 but Preston began the second quarter with nine straight points and Rachel Roberts later scored seven straight points as Oregon City ended the half with a 9-1 run to go up, 35-23.

The Pioneers then began the third period with five straight points to make it 40-25 before the Raiders roared back with a 17-5 run to close it to 45-42 entering the fourth.

Oregon City started the final quarter with a 13-4 run to push the lead to 58-46, and 'Iolani could not get closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Jade Lowery added 11 points for the Pioneers.

Saphyre Rezentes and Pua Kahalehoe each scored 12 points to lead the Raiders, who got 10 points from Alex Masaquel.

FIFTH PLACE

Bishop Gorman 56, Tsinghua (Beijing) 47 

April Rivers scored a game-high 18 points and Zhane Dikes and Tonishia Childress each added 11 points for the Lady Gaels.

Rong Wang, Xuetong Zhao and Luchenhong Yang each added 11 points for the Dragons.

Mid-Pacific 35, Kaimuki 34 

Kiki Robertson scored a game-high 19 points as the Owls held off the Bulldogs.

Ashley Savusa led Kaimuki with 14 points and Nikki Vongprachanh added 10 points.