When the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division I State Championships seedings were announced Sunday, Punahou was No. 1, Konawaena No. 2, Farrington No. 3 and Lahainaluna No. 4.

But to coaches, players and close observers of this season, they might as well have been labeled Nos. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.

"There is so much parity this year, there really isn't any clear-cut No. 1 or No. 2," said Punahou coach Mike Taylor, whose Buffanblu have won three of the last four titles. "All four teams have got a legitimate (case) to make as the top team."

The top four seeds each received a bye from today's first-round action.

At Farrington, Kalani will play 'Aiea at 5 p.m., followed by Roosevelt vs. Waiakea at 7.

At Kaimuki, Baldwin faces Moanalua at 5 p.m., followed by 'Iolani vs. Kailua at 7.

The tournament continues with quarterfinal action at both sites tomorrow.

The Division II tournament also begins today, with first-round games at Kalani and Radford.

Punahou went 11-1 in the regular season to win its sixth Interscholastic League of Honolulu title in seven years. Konawaena went 12-0 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation. Farrington went 18-1 in O'ahu Interscholastic Association play to win its first league crown since 1991. And Lahainaluna won all 14 of its Maui Interscholastic League games by at least 20 points.

That still wasn't enough for the Lunas to get any better than a No. 4 seed.

"I wasn't surprised, but it's all right; the committee has a hard time, especially this year," Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard said. "It's a proven point that MIL teams have trouble just getting past the quarterfinal round. We gotta prove to ourselves that we deserve (a higher seeding)."

The Lunas defeated ILH contenders Kamehameha and Mid-Pacific during nonleague play in December, and later lost to Konawaena by four points in tournament action in Lahaina.

They also defeated a team from Marist, Ga.

"We played a good schedule, because in the past we've had high hopes coming into the state tournament but had those hopes shattered," Rickard said. "If you look at the competition in the ILH, all those teams are battle-tested because every game they play in the regular season is solid. If you don't come out to play, you're gonna lose."

Rickard said playing the tough nonleague schedule and doing well against the top competition has given his team confidence that it can compete come state tournament time.

"(The No. 4 seed) is a motivational thing, we're just happy to have the opportunity to challenge ourselves against the best teams it the state," Rickard said. "We're excited about our chances."

Following is a closer look at all 12 Division I tournament teams (records are for regular and postseason):

'AIEA

Coach: Mike Yen.

Record: 11-5.

Berth: OIA sixth place.

Notable: Na Ali'i won the OIA Western Division title but went 1-3 in the league tournament, salvaging a state berth by beating East runner-up McKinley. Senior guard Natasha Helsham is a talented open-court threat. Caroline Sio provides an inside presence.

BALDWIN

Coach: Angel Kalehuawehe.

Record: 10-4.

Berth: MIL runner-up.

Notable: The Bears are young, with only two seniors. Senior guard Malia Killiam and freshman center Ariana Newton have helped Baldwin return to the state tournament after a three-year absence.

FARRINGTON

Coach: Caroline Tatupu.

Record: 18-1.

Berth: OIA champion.

Notable: The Governors rambled through the OIA East season undefeated before being upset by Roosevelt in the third round of the league playoffs. But under the tournament's new "modified double-elimination" format, they were able to work their way through the losers bracket and then beat Roosevelt twice in three days for the title. The championship game was Farrington's seventh in 11 days. The Govs have good size in the post with 6-foot Sofia Folaumahina, Kirsten Liana (5-11) and Lusina Otineru (5-10), plus strong backcourt/perimeter offense from Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo, Valerie Lesu and Natalie Mata.

'IOLANI

Coach: Marlene Zeug.

Record: 9-5.

Berth: ILH runner-up.

Notable: The Raiders lost all five starters from last year's state runner-up team, including at least 85 percent of their offense. But this year's youthful team (only two seniors) has made big strides. Freshman guard Kylie Maeda is poised for her age and can score off drives or from beyond the arc. Junior guard Lori Yamashita is another 3-point threat, as is junior forward Georgette Lopes-Liutolo. Sophomore Lahela Usui is an athletic guard, and junior post Mahina Haina has developed into a productive rebounder and shot-blocker. Senior guard Tami Konishi, the only player who was in last year's rotation, is a dangerous 3-point threat off the bench.

KAILUA

Coach: Zach Stephens.

Record: 8-9.

Berth: OIA fourth place.

Notable: The Surfriders lost top scorer Ashley Jacobs to a freak injury during PE class on the eve of the OIA tournament, but they rallied anyway to finish fourth in the league. Zsalei Kamaka, Sola Williams, Ka'u Kohatsu and Anu Ah Yun have helped pick up the scoring slack.

KALANI

Coach: George Weeks.

Record: 9-8.

Berth: OIA third place.

Notable: The Falcons started the OIA season 1-3 but got a big boost after the return of senior post Violet Alama, a Cal State Northridge recruit who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in her knee last summer. Alama is an agile scorer and good rebounder and shot-blocker. Her inside presence has opened up a dangerous perimeter game that features several 3-point threats, led by senior guard Ashlyn Onaga. Kalani hit nine 3-pointers — by six different girls — in its OIA playoff opener against Kapolei and then had nine 3s (five by Onaga) two nights later in a second-round upset of West champ 'Aiea. Jamie Higa, Hikaru Kumagai and Corie Kuia are the other outside threats.

KONAWAENA

Coach: Bobbie Awa.

Record: 12-0.

Berth: BIIF champion.

Notable: The Wildcats are young (only three seniors) but went unbeaten in the BIIF behind senior guard Kara Hanato-Smith and three talented freshmen guards/forwards: Lia Galdeira, Dawyelle Awa and Makayla Awa. Konawaena will not be unaccustomed to playing top competition off-island, as the Wildcats traveled to O'ahu for the 'Iolani Prep Classic and participated in Lahainaluna's tournament, beating the Lunas by four points.

LAHAINALUNA

Coach: Todd Rickard.

Record: 14-0.

Berth: MIL champion.

Notable: The Lunas cruised through the MIL season, but faced some tough non-league competition in December and went 8-1, with the only loss coming to Konawaena (by four points). Junior guard Rachel Rickard (5-6) can play all five positions and provides veteran leadership. Junior post Milika Taufa (5-10) gives a strong inside presence with agile scoring and shot-blocking ability. Freshman Maiki Viela has run the offense at point guard, and key reserve Ofa Namoa has returned to the team after spending a couple years in Kentucky.

MOANALUA

Coach: Kristie Morikawa.

Record: 6-11.

Berth: OIA fifth place.

Notable: Na Menehune went 3-9 in the OIA East regular season, but upset East runner-up McKinley in overtime in the second round and then ousted West runner-up Mililani to earn a surprising state tournament berth. Senior Hoku Dela Cruz leads a strong backcourt along with A.J. Verdida, and sophomore Joanna Nicholas (5-9) provides athleticism at forward.

PUNAHOU

Coach: Mike Taylor.

Record: 11-1.

Berth: ILH champion.

Notable: The Buffanblu have relied on their trademark intense pressure defense to win another ILH title and make a run toward their fourth state title in five years. Senior guard Janelle Nomura, who signed with Cal State Northridge, is an explosive scorer and backcourt mate Rebecca Lau also provides veteran leadership. Senior Tressa Torres (5-9) anchors the post and junior Janet Li (5-10) and sophomore Jennifer Ching (5-7) contribute with timely rebounds and putbacks.

ROOSEVELT

Coach: Clint Chikamori.

Record: 11-7.

Berth: OIA runner-up.

Notable: The Rough Riders suffered a rough midseason when junior forward Mikela Thoemmes was out four weeks with a broken right (shooting) hand, but caught fire upon her return and made a surprising run to the OIA championship game after upsetting Farrington in the OIA tournament's third round. Thoemmes, senior Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole and Joshy Noga present a formidable front line, and a young and inexperienced backcourt, led by 3-point threat Nicole Ramirez, has made big strides in the past month.

WAIAKEA

Coach: Grant Kauhi.

Record: 8-4.

Berth: ILH champion.

Notable: The Warriors played their entire nonleague schedule without Advertiser All-State guard Kamie Imai, who underwent minor surgery. They got a boost in the offseason with the addition of guards Kanisha Bello, an all-BIIF selection who transferred from Kamehameha-Hawai'i, and Amanda Hubbell, a transfer from the Mainland.