Punahou's Shawna-Lei Kuehu might be the most talented girls basketball player in state history.

But it doesn't mean she doesn't get nervous.

Kuehu scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half and Dara Tompkison made two free throws with 20 seconds remaining as Punahou beat Konawaena, 45-41, in the quarterfinals of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division I State Championships at Farrington.

"I haven't played in a state tournament in two years," said Kuehu, who missed last season with a knee injury. "I was a little nervous. I kept telling my coach I'm nervous. I just needed to get those first-time jitters out like when I was a freshman, but the game just came to me."

The contest was a rematch of last year's state title game won by Konawaena.

Punahou, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion and No. 1 seed, will play Radford tonight in the semifinals at 8 at Farrington.

Punahou went on a 10-2 run to take its largest lead at 31-22 with 1:18 left in the third. Kuehu scored four points during the rally and Tompkison capped it with a 3-pointer from the left baseline.

The Buffanblu led 42-34 with 1:48 left, but a couple of miscues allowed Konawaena to get back in it.

A technical foul against a Punahou player and a foul against the Buffanblu on Kara Hanato-Smith's 3-point attempt allowed Konawaena to make five free throws to get within 43-39 with 52 seconds left.

Mana Hopkins' steal near half court and layup with 30 seconds remaining got Konawaena within 43-41.

Tompkison was then fouled and nailed both free throws.

In the fourth period, Punahou (12-1) made 10 of 12 free-throws attempts.

"I credit our team for hanging in there, getting stops when we needed to, making free throws when we had to," said Punahou coach Mike Taylor said.

Konawaena, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up, made 12 of 37 field-goal attempt and committed 24 turnovers.

"They played great defense and we had a hard time getting shots off" said Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa.

Hopkins scored 15 points for Konawaena (11-4).

KONAWAENA (11-4) 6 9 9 17 — 41

PUNAHOU (12-1) 10 9 12 14 — 45

KONAWAENA — Malia Tanaka 2, Thea Hanato-Smith 3, Kara Hanato-Smith 10, Kimberly Brown 2, Anuhea Wall 5, Mana Hopkins 15, Misilosa U'ulopa 4, Lucy Brown 0. Totals 12 16-19 41.

PUNAHOU — Rebecca Lau 3, Julianne Nomura 0, Dara Tompkison 9, Anna Merrifield 2, Shawna-Lei Kuehu 16, Ashley Satterwhite 2, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 6, Janelle Nomura 1, Tressa Torres 6, Tiera Jenson 0. Totals 15 12-23 45. 3-point goals: Konawaena 1 (K. Hanato-Smith). Punahou 3 (Hopkinson 2, Lau 1).