The team includes (from left): Mary Pahukoa, Shaadi Brands, Kate Lynn Colipano, Amaya Tuala, Haley Mahoe, Tavina Harris, Ledjan Pahukoa, Alohilani Dudoit, Juseana Rae Delatori, Chaland Pahukoa and Skylynn Fangarang.

LAHAINA — For the Lahainaluna High School girls basketball team, the 2023 stretch run for supremacy at the Maui Interscholastic League and state levels begins now.

Indeed, the final games of the regular season and the MIL tournament that will determine the league’s two seedings to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships carry crucial implications for the Lady Lunas.

Going into the final match-ups of the MIL regular season, the Lady Lunas are 8-1 and hold a one game lead over Maui High, as well as a 2-1 margin over the Sabers in head to head competition.

The MIL playoffs will take place at the end of this month, and the state tournament will be held in early February in Honolulu. Second-year head coach Iolani Kaniho, assisted by Todd Rickard, Kayjan Pahukoa, Kai Pahukoa and Edgar Brands, describes the team as a dedicated and determined group.

“We’re a veteran team with experience from last year with the third place finish at states. We have size in the post and good shooters from outside. We play an up-tempo game with full-court, man to man and half-court zone, and multiple zone presses.”

The Lady Lunas’ golden era — that includes 17 consecutive MIL titles from 2005 to the present, and a state championship in 2010, continues with a lineup led by senior team captains Chaland Pahukoa, Ledjan Pahukoa and Mary Pahukoa, as well as classmate Haley Mahoe.

They are joined by returning juniors Tavian Harris and Skylynn Fangarang; sophomores Juseana Rey Delatori, Kate Lynn Colipano, Shaadi Brands, and Alohilani Dudoit. First-year athlete Amaya Tuala rounds out the Lahainaluna roster.

“We have a good shot at success at the state level — we’ll be competitive. It all depends on whoever peaks at the right time. It all looks pretty even at this point of the season,” Iolani said. As is the norm across the board at Lahainaluna, the true grit effort of the team and the support of the school community is what separates the Red Tide from the rest of the MIL.

“Our mahalo goes out to the school administration, AD Jon Conrad, the trainers, coaches and the community for their support. Plenty of guidance from Coach Todd as well. It really takes a village, and this is a great example of that,” said Coach Iolani.