Completing a rare Big Island state title sweep, Konawaena raced past Punahou, 59-47, last night to win its second Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball Championship in four years.

The Wildcats finished the regular and postseason with a 17-0 record before a vocal crowd of 3,063 at the Stan Sheriff Center, their title victory coming two hours after Kamehameha-Hawai'i captured the Division II state crown.

"This is a night for Big Island winners," said Konawaena senior forward Jazzmin Awa-Williams, who finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals last night. "It feels awesome. We all support each other."

Awa-Williams, a four-year starter and two-time Advertiser All-State first team selection, got lots of support from her teammates last night.

Junior forward Mana Hopkins scored a game-high 26 points and added nine rebounds and one block, and senior guard Liana Hanato-Smith contributed 14 points — including 4 of 6 shooting from 3-point range — and two steals.

Sophomore guard Kara Hanato-Smith and senior center Marissa Minor also played all but nine seconds without substitutions.

"They all stepped up," Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa said. "We have a good supporting cast, and it takes the load off of Jazz. Kara handled Punahou's pressure, and Marissa is a beast on defense."

The Wildcats led from wire-to-wire, starting with Liana Hanato-Smith's 3-pointer from the right wing just 21 seconds into the game. Konawaena began the second period with a 12-4 run to stretch the lead to 27-14 with 1:02 remaining in the half.

Janelle Nomura swished a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to cut it to 27-17, but Hopkins answered with a layup to put the Wildcats up 29-17 at the break.

Hopkins finished the first half with 13 points and six rebounds, and Liana Hanato-Smith added 12 points on four 3-pointers.

"Mana was terrific, she's improved a lot," Buffanblu coach Mike Taylor said. "And Liana — it's hard when you don't get out on a great shooter like her."

Punahou (12-6) got as close as 37-33 after Melanie Feldman's free throws with 3:34 remaining in the third period, but Hopkins responded with two straight transition layups to push the lead to 41-33.

The Buffanblu made one last run to cut it to 54-47 after Chelsea Deptula's free throws with 53.5 seconds left, but Hopkins sealed it with two free throws eight seconds later.

"We already knew they were gonna guard Jazz, so we all had to step up," Hopkins said. "We had to show that there was more to this team than just her."

Kamehameha-Hawai'i and Honoka'a (which edged 'Iolani for third place in Division I) showed that there is more to Big Island girls basketball than just Konawaena. Kamehameha-Hawai'i also won the DII state title in 2005, and Honoka'a has taken third place in Division I three years in a row.

"That's so awesome," Awa said. "There are so many tough games on the Big Island. I think (the strong state finishes) says a lot about our league."

DIVISION I THIRD PLACE

HONOKA'A 49, 'IOLANI 48

All-State point guard Keisha Kanekoa hit a jumper with 7 seconds left to carry Honoka'a past 'Iolani for third place in the girls Division I state basketball tournament.

Kanekoa finished with 26 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a fourth-quarter to remember.

Down 37-31 entering the fourth period, Kanekoa had a hand in all 18 of the Dragon points.

She scored 13 points, had two rebounds, blocked a shot and dished out two assists that turned into a 3-pointer by Jessika Lorenzo and layup by Kawehi Correa.

In four state tournament games, Kanekoa averaged more than 23 points a game. She had back-to-back 30-point games against Roosevelt (31) and Punahou (32).

Jamie Smith had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Sarah Turgeon added 12 for 'Iolani.

NOTES

RADFORD COACH LANE RESIGNS AFTER 6 YEARS

David Lane has resigned as Radford's girls basketball coach after six successful seasons, citing recurring health issues.

Lane guided the Rams to a 63-20 record in the regular and postseason since 2001, including four O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division championships.

Radford was the OIA runner-up this past season.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.