Once again, the girls Division II basketball trophy will land on the Big Island.

Ashlee Kalauli scored a game-high 14 points, and Kamehameha-Hawai'i used a pressure defense to rout Sacred Hearts, 57-30, last night. It was the Warriors' second Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Division II Basketball State Championships title in three years at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up Kamehameha-Hawai'i (15-3) won in 2005 and finished second last season.

"Our defense is our offense, and since we run a lot, we're all in shape," said junior post Tabitha Eseroma, who had nine points and 11 rebounds, and was named the tournament's most outstanding player. "I practice against my coach (Kalani Silva). I told him, 'Give me a job and I'll do it.' Rebounding is one my strengths, and I just did that."

Unseeded Kamehameha-Hawai'i forced 26 turnovers, including 17 steals, and held the Lancers to 23 percent shooting (8 of 35) for the game.

"Ball pressure, that's No. 1," said Kamehameha-Hawai'i coach Kalani Silva, whose team ran a 1-2-2 press and a matchup zone that trapped in the corners. "We put so much ball pressure, they couldn't run their offense."

Top-seeded Sacred Hearts (15-1) scored just one point in the third quarter. It was the first state tournament appearance for the Interscholastic League of Hono-lulu champions.

"Our team played hard, but Kamehameha played harder," said Sacred Hearts sophomore guard Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua, who scored eight points. "They deserved it. They challenged us. We just fell short."

Kamehameha-Hawai'i broke open a four-point game with a 14-0 run midway through the second quarter. Kozy Toriano, who had 13 points in the game, scored eight points during the surge as the Warriors took a 32-14 lead, and went up 32-16 at intermission.

Kuhina Luis' free throw cut Sacred Hearts' deficit to 41-22 early in the fourth quarter. But Kamehameha-Hawai'i responded with transition baskets off Sacred Hearts' misses, and ran off an 11-4 burst capped by Bryanna DeLima's three-point play that extended the lead to 52-26 with 3:03 to go.

"We knew we had to run a track meet out there today," Kamehameha-Hawai'i's Kalauli said of the uptempo pace. "We knew that these guys were quick."

The Warriors shot 51 percent (23 of 45) from the field. Senior guard Sierra Gacayan had nine points, nine assists and four steals. Nalani Bayne led the Lancers with 10 points.

"They're a physical, well-coached team," Sacred Hearts coach Alan Matsui said of the Warriors. "We haven't had to face that kind of a team all season."

Meanwhile, Matsui said he has yet to decide on his coaching future. He can return to coach the Lancers, who will move up to Division I next season, or coach the boys JV team at his alma mater, Hawai'i Baptist.

Next year, the girls basketball season will be moved to the winter and played concurrently with the boys season.

"I'm not going to panic," said Matsui, who will await final scheduling. "Both schools said they are willing to wait on my decision."

Both Sacred Hearts and Kamehameha-Hawai'i have five seniors and may return up to 11 players apiece.

Junior wing Ashley Ordenstein, Kauahikaua and sophomore center Luis can return for Sacred Hearts, while Kalauli, sophomore wing Kanisha Bello and Eseroma are primed to play for the Warriors next season.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.