Updated at 9:03 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2007
State girls basketball: Kalani beats Kahuku, 64-37
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
They took the first step today, racing past O'ahu Interscholastic Association rival Kahuku, 64-37, in Division I first-round action at Stan Sheriff Center.
Kalani improved to 13-3 in the regular and postseason and will play No. 2 seed and Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Konawaena (14-0) in tomorrow's feature quarterfinal.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be televised live statewide on OC-16.
"It's been my dream to play here (at SSC), at least one time," said Falcons senior wing Courtney Gaddis, who scored 14 points, grabbed three rebounds and made three steals yesterday. "It feels great."
Today's victory came as smoothly as could be expected, especially since the Red Raiders (6-11) had given Kalani fits in their two regular-season meetings. In the OIA Eastern Division first round, Kahuku led going into the fourth period before falling, 68-51, and in the rematch, the Falcons pulled out a 49-47 win only after Megan Kamehiro's last-second shot.
Today, the Red Raiders made a run early in the third quarter to cut Kalani's lead to 23-20, but the Falcons then exploded with a 19-2 barrage fueled mostly by full-court pressure forcing several turnovers that were converted into transition baskets.
