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By Paul Honda
Editor
HondaReport.com
Monday, May 10, 2004

HONOLULU—Last week’s playoff games were, for the most part, predictable.

Oh, Iolani gave Punahou a tough battle, but the Buff n’ Blue regained their form—with the return of lone senior Eryn Chun—to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship.

Elsewhere, not much drama. Okay, there was Saint Joseph’s regular-season ending win over Kamehameha-Big Island—not a total surprise considering they both finished 9-3 in Big Island Interscholastic Federation play.

Here are my picks for the week. If you must flog me, please have mercy.

BIIF
Division I tournament final
Friday
No. 1 Konawaena (24-2, 12-0 BIIF) vs. Honoka'a (11-1 BIIF). The Dragons of Honoka'a have the talent to compete at the state tournament, but Coach Honma has implored her players to believe in themselves since day one of preseason. Konawaena, ranked No. 1 in the HondaReport.com Top Ten for nearly two months now, will be tested, but not for long. Konawaena 58, Honoka'a 38.

Division II tournament final
Kamehameha-Big Island (15-7, 9-3 BIIF) vs. Saint Joseph (9-3 BIIF). The Cardinals upset KS-Big Island last week thanks to a size advantage and physical play. Can St. Joe do it again? The Warriors may be young, with only sophomores and freshmen, but they learn quickly under Coach Miller, and will rebound. Kamehameha-Big Island 46, Saint Joseph 43.

ILH
Division I Third-place tournament
Tuesday
No. 9 Maryknoll (5-7 ILH) vs. Mid-Pacific (5-7). March 27, @ Mid-Pacific 33, Maryknoll 28. April 20, Maryknoll 41, Mid-Pacific 40 @ McCabe Gym. ... toss-up? MPI has not played since May 1. Will the rust show for the young Owls? Maryknoll 39, Mid-Pacific 38.

No. 6 Kamehameha-O'ahu (16-6, 8-4 ILH) vs. Saint Francis-Sacred Hearts winner. I'll get back to this later, after the SF-SHA game is done tonight.

Division II championship
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Saint Andrew's (8-5 ILH) vs. Word of Life (8-5 ILH) @ Iolani Gym. WLA won their first matchup, 50-28, on April 2. However, Saint Andrew's won Saturday, 52-43, in overtime, to set up this tiebreaker game. With a state tourney berth at state, who will step up? The bigger team may well come through. Word of Life 49, Saint Andrew's 46.

MIL
Friday, 7 p.m.
Championship
No. 10t Baldwin (13-1 MIL) vs. No. 10t Lahainaluna (12-3 MIL) @ Lahaina Civic Center. Baldwin won the first matchup, 30-28, April 14. The Bears went on the road and beat the Lunas again, 46-36, April 27. With state tournament berths secured for both teams, Lahainaluna finally downed Baldwin, 35-29, Saturday night at Lahaina. Can the Lady Lunas keep momentum going? Having the home court helps, but the Bears thrive in pressure situations. Baldwin 38, Lahainaluna 34. Note: Both teams are tied for No. 10 in the HondaReport.com Top Ten.

OIA
Division I playoffs
Semifinals
At McKinley Student Council Gym
No. 5 Kalaheo (21-3, 10-2 OIA) vs. No. 8 McKinley (14-8, 9-3 OIA), 5 p.m. This is a fascinating matchup. The Lady Mustangs earned the 'grit' award this season, overcoming a myriad of injuries. Kalaheo is a mix of experience and youth, which includes freshman point guard Shanadee Canon. McKinley, a senior-heavy squad, looks to freshman Chelsie Sato for rebounding under the glass. If the Lady Tigers are shooting well, this could be different from the early-season loss on Kalaheo's court. With the game at McKinley's homecourt, shooting well won't be as difficult, but Kalaheo has found all kinds of ways to win this season. Kalaheo 55, McKinley 53.

No. 7 Kaiser (10-2 OIA) vs. No. 2 Kahuku (22-3, 11-1 OIA), 6:30 p.m. The Cougars have played well enough to finish third in the East, but Kahuku comes into the playoffs with a purpose: To go beyond last year's state tourney runner-up finish. Foul trouble has a way of hampering Kaiser, and Kahuku is too deep in the backcourt. Kahuku 61, Kaiser 53.

Division II semifinals
Wednesday
At Nanakuli High School gym
Roosevelt (7-4 OIA) vs. Waipahu (3-7 OIA), 5 p.m. The Rough Riders barely missed the D1 playoffs. Roosevelt 71, Waipahu 50.

Nanakuli (3-7 OIA) vs. Kalani (3-8 OIA). The Golden Hawks may have home court and talented Kaena Apana, but Kalani has too many weapons. Kalani 60, Nanakuli 50.

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Next Article: Girls' Basketball: No. 8 McKinley edges No. 5 Kalaheo in OIA semifinal

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