Kamehameha’s 34-game girls basketball winning streak quietly ended on March 4 when the Warriors were stopped by ‘Aiea, 48-41, in the final game of the Imua Challenge at Kamehameha’s Kekuhaupi’o Gym.
Kamehameha had gone 24-0 last season, becoming Hawai‘i’s first unbeaten girls basketball team in 22 years in winning its second straight state championship. The Warriors won their first five games this season, three of them by 30 points or more.
Their last loss was to Punahou, 45-43, on April 30, 1999. They had not lost to an O‘ahu Interscholastic Association team since at least 1997.
Six-foot-one Keesha Aldrige and 5-11 Aritta Lane led ‘Aiea with 20 and 18 points and point guard Kylee Nakamura added 10. Joelle Sugai, Noelani Colburn and Jasmine Dias were other key contributors, coach Fran Villarmia-Kahawai said. "They all played good," she added.
‘Aiea is 7-1 this season, not counting two victories over club teams in Las Vegas last weekend. ‘Aiea has lost only to Punahou, 52-48, at Punahou.
‘Aiea opens its OIA Western Division season March 23 at home against Campbell. The rest of the OIA West opens next Tuesday. The OIA East opens March 21. The OIA will be previewed in next Tuesday’s Advertiser High School Report.
"We still have a long way to go, but the preseason has been a good experience," Villarmia-Kahawai said.
