Moloka'i senior point guard Danna Lynn Hooper-Juario put up 33 points and five assists against a suffocating Kahuku defense that pressured her all game long.

The defending state champion Lady Farmers defeated the Red Raiders, 79-69, last night in a semifinal of the Hawaiian Airlines Division II Girls Basketball State Championships at Kalani High School.

Top-seeded Moloka'i (12-0), the Maui Interscholastic League champion, plays Kaimukī, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion, tonight for the championship at 5 at the Blaisdell Arena.

Hooper-Juario was at times double-teamed to prevent her from creating offensive chances for the Lady Farmers.

"It was a lot of running," said Hooper-Juario, who had to leave the game with cramps with three minutes remaining, but returned to make 9 of 10 free throws in the final two minutes.

"The trainer said it was dehydration," she said. "I just tried my hardest to get back in there and help my team and try to pull out this victory to get back to where we were last year."

Junior forward Joshlyn Noga had 27 points and 11 rebounds for Kahuku (14-3), the OIA runner-up.

The Lady Farmers appeared to be well prepared for the Red Raiders' smothering defense with their multiple ball-handlers, led by Hooper-Juario.

Moloka'i led by as much as 27-15 early in the second quarter, but the Red Raiders would climb back into it in the fourth quarter.

Noga brought the Red Raiders within 58-55 with 5:40 to play after converting a one-and-one free-throw opportunity.

But the Lady Farmers, led by Hooper-Juario's clutch free-throw shooting, outscored Kahuku 13-7 down the stretch despite pressure from Kahuku's platoon system all game long.

"It was hard for us, but luckily we have timeouts and can drink water," Hooper-Juario said.

KAHUKU (14-4) 13 19 16 21—69

MOLOKA'I (12-0) 25 18 10 26—79

KAHUKU — Fia Tailele-Latu 2, Kawelina Gilman 0, Hi'ilei Cummings 7, Malia Tonga 0, Jessica Falemalu 8, Temutisa Te'o 4, Rachel Tailele 4, Mata Tonga 5, Natallia Cravens 6, Joshlyn Noga 27, Uhi Naeole 0, Amanda Tonga 2, Leina Faleolo 4. Totals 23 20-27 69.

MOLOKA'I — Danna Lynn Hooper-Juario 33, Jolenta Duvauchelle 8, Jamie Duvauchelle 16, Puna Kawamae 6, Kalei Adolpho 6, Kaira Kaulia-Makaiwi 2, Camile Broden 0, Kyli Joe Mawae 6, Marissa Sterner 2. Totals 29 20-26 79.

3-point goals — Kahuku 3 (Cummings, Falemalu, M. Tonga). Moloka'i 1 (Hooper-Juario).