Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Girls Basketball All-State Fab 15
2024-25
Player of the Year: Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha
Coach of the Year: Pua Straight, Kamehameha
Fab 15
1. Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha, F/C, 6-1, Jr.
>> She averaged 19/10 at states. 25/7 against CIF powerhouse Bishop Montgomery. Her unique role in the offense, equal parts scorer and key distributor allowed Kamehameha’s perimeter scorers to become efficient and trusted. Had Dunn played old-school ball and muscled her way to 30 points per game against double and triple teams, it’s uncertain if her team would have evolved into a state champion.
2. Pua‘ena Herrington, Maryknoll, G/F, 5-11, Jr.
>> 21 ppg in ILH play, top scorer in state. Herrington grew more physical and willing to attack the paint as the season wore on. An excellent decision maker, free-throw shooter and three-level scorer with range to the logo. The former Waiakea standout is now a three-time Star-Advertiser All-State selection.
3. Justice Kekauoha, ‘Iolani, G, 5-7, So.
>> 18.3 ppg in ILH/HHSAA, led state in FT pct (.865). Kekauoha’s ability to hit the 3 was balanced out by her toughness going to the basket. She was a bucket getter driving to her left for and-1 finishes. Defensively, stronger each year in on-ball pressure and crashing the boards.
4. Ellana Klemp, Hanalani, G/F, 5-9, Sr.
>> 16 ppg in ILH/HHSAA D-II play. Averaged 25/10 at states. A point forward with no hesitation going to the rack for points and free throws, excellent 3-point marksmanship. In a tough nonconference schedule, Klemp had some of her best individual scoring against Top 10 and elite mainland competition, including 21 against Moanalua, 18 against Pinewood (Calif.), 16 against Punahou and 20 against Mililani. She wished a halfcourt buzzer-beater to beat Punahou at the ‘Iolani Classic, where was named to the all-tournament team. She closed out her career with 33 points and 15 boards in the D-II state final against Hawaii Baptist.
5. Posia Wily, Kahuku, G, 5-6, Sr.
>> 13 ppg in OIA/HHSAA play. Wily’s savvy and outstanding blend of patience and aggressiveness when running Kahuku’s offense were very difficult to stop. A three-level scorer who rarely settled for long-range shots and usually got easy buckets in the paint for herself and her teammates. A true throwback player in the Kahuku tradition, a two-time OIA champion.
6. Makana Kamakeeaina, Kahuku, F, 5-11, Jr.
>> 14 ppg to lead Lady Raiders to OIA title. Since transferring back to her hometown team, Kamakeeaina has provided consistent, high-IQ offense and steady defense in the paint. She has the corner 3 down, but is also tough on the offensive and defensive boards and runs the floor well.
7. Mia Frye, ‘Iolani, G, 5-7, Sr.
>> Versatile playmaker, scored 8 ppg, and was No. 1 in All-Defense voting. Frye battled through ankle and thumb injuries, never 100 percent healthy, but rarely missed a game. Her court vision and passing ability made her a threat from the high post, which was invaluable for a relatively small Raiders squad. Her ability to explode to the basket was crucial for a team that didn’t have a consistent low-post scorer.
8. Rylee Paranada, Kamehameha, G, 5-6, Jr.
>> Clutch PG, second in scoring (9 ppg) for the state champions. On a team of talented guards, Paranada was consistent on both ends of the floor, tough-nosed and able to control the pace. Her chemistry with POY Nihoa Dunn was a key factor in the Warriors’ rise to the state title.
9. Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell, G/F, 5-9, Jr.
>> 15 ppg in OIA/HHSAA, No. 4 in All-Defense voting. Long and lanky, but tough in the paint and on the perimeter defensively. A rare athlete who can cover 1 through 5.
10. Rayah Soriano, ‘Iolani, G/F, 5-7, Fr.
>> Voted Top Newcomer. 12 ppg in ILH/HHSAA play, led state with 42 3-pointers. A deadly long-range shooter on the catch-and-shoot. Soriano was a major headache for opposing coaches who lacked a persistent defender who could deny her the ball.
11. Tailele Wily-Ava, Kahuku, G, 5-10, So.
>> 13 ppg in OIA/HHSAA play. Extremely talented with the ball, possibly nobody quicker to the bucket from the wing aside from Justice Kekauoha. Wily-Ava’s ability to finish left or right, or drive and dish, separates her from most elite guards. Capable of hitting 30 footers, but far more effective attacking the paint and creating points for herself and teammates.
12. Pomai Nakakura, Kamehameha, G, 5-2, Sr.
>> Clutched up with 12 points (3 treys) in state-title win over ‘Iolani. A defensive menace her entire career, Nakakura’s perimeter shooting was a big plus for a Warrior offense that needed to step up when defenses smothered Nihoa Dunn.
13. Brooke Kurasaki, Mililani, G, 5-5, Sr.
>> Floor general led Trojans in scoring at 13 ppg. She was a marksman from the perimeter while commanding the offense. Tough defender and the biggest reason Mililani reached the state tournament.
14. Rheanna Nobleza, Moanalua, G, 5-6, Sr.
>> >> Despite injury, sparked Na Menehune with 14 ppg. When she was healthy, Nobleza was a threat from the arc and off the dribble, too quick for most guards. Moanalua was not the same after Nobleza suffered a concussion against Kahuku in the OIA final.
15. Makelah Richardson, Roosevelt, G, 5-9, Sr.
>> >> The resilient swingman averaged 21 ppg despite being the focal point of every opponent’s defensive game plan. Richardson is a guard who had savvy skills in the paint. Against eventual OIA D-I finalists Moanalua and Kahuku, she averaged 17.5 points.
Honorable mention
Hailey Fernandez, ‘Iolani, Jr.
>> In the sub-category (unofficial) of standout players who were clearly worthy of the Fab 15, Fernandez is certainly in that realm. Excellent on both ends. All-Defense. Offensively uber-quick off the dribble. If and when the junior’s 3-point shot becomes a strength, that will open doors, I believe, to the next level. Meaning, higher next level, because the athleticism, speed and toughness are there already.
Juseana Delatori, Lahainaluna, Sr.
>> The sharpshooting guard exploded in senior year with 19 points per game on a team that is several rungs down from the dynasty era of Lady Lunas basketball. Seeing Delatori in previous years have strong first-half performances, only to fade in fatigue after halftime, something triggered after junior year. She was relentless this season, playing with a motor not seen before. She couldn’t do it all for the Lady Lunas, but she clearly tried her best. The Menehune program in Lahaina was in a decline before the pandemic, and talk was that it had been gaining momentum. I would be surprised if the program doesn’t return to championship form. Delatori would be in group similar to former Konawaena standout Mana Hopkins, who was athletic and productive on a team that lacked depth and couldn’t get past the quarterfinal round. No fault of Hopkins, and the goes for Delatori.
Aubrey Pak, Konawaena
>> Struggled with injury, but recovered and gave the Wildcats a big boost at the state tournament. She poured in 21 points (five 3-pointers) to help them stay close in a 43-40 semifinal loss to ‘Iolani. Her precision and cold-blooded marksmanship against a relentless ‘Iolani defense was a definite eye-opener for a young Konawaena program.
Hailey Perez, Maryknoll, Sr.
>> The senior point guard battled through an injury all season, scoring 6 ppg and solidifying the Spartans’ offensive attack.
Rylee Cabuyado-Caswell, Kamehameha, Jr.
>> Every team needs a go-to defensive stopper. A lockdown artist. The junior became the best at her craft, voted No. 2 on the All-Defensive team. Her offense took a hit as she became less of a shooter volume-wise, but her sacrifice is a big reason why the Warriors got over the hump this season to become state champions for the first time since 2013.
Kiilei Leleiwi, Konawaena, Jr.
>> The junior has a nifty arsenal of 3-point range, bully-ball low-post footwork and scoring, and is a good passer. At 10 ppg in league play, her production was streaky most nights, but if her endurance increases, Leleiwi could become a three-level weapon and double her scoring average. She scored 13 against ‘Iolani in preseason.
Haikela Hiraishi, Konawaena, Jr.
>> Savvy and skilled, Hiraishi averaged 8 ppg on a team loaded with scoring options.
Mikela Salazar-Harrell, Konawaena, Jr.
>> Averaged 8 ppg in league play. Skilled and athletic like many of the Wildcats, and like all of them, it is difficult to gauge their value individually when they are greater than the sum of their statistics. It’s not unreasonable to imagine a Konawaena team that remains smart, unselfish and aggressive, playing faster, stronger and suiting up four or five players who average double-digits in scoring.
Piha‘eu Akiona, Hanalani, Sr.
>> A pure basketball player. Able to play guard, shoot 3s, crash the offensive glass like a big, defend multiple positions. High IQ, great shot selection, aggressive and tough defensively. Her top scoring game was 23 points in Hanalani’s 55-52 win over Punahou. The Royals’ state-title run in Division II was epic, but the hoops fan in me will always wonder what Akiona would have done against a full slate of ILH and state-tourney D-I competition. Looking forward to tracking her college career.
Shailoh Liilii, Moanalua, Sr.
>> Grit, heart, blue blooded to the end. Liilii battled a knee issue going back to last year, playing and running the floor, blocking shots, sometimes dominating the paint. Her mid-range jump shot was more consistent as a junior, but her defense and rebounding were crucial factors in Moanalua’s turnaround and run to the OIA final. It’s debatable whether the time she spent playing volleyball the past two fall seasons cut into time that she could’ve spent working on her game. In the end, Liilii has no regrets. She loves both sports and more than that, she loves wearing the blue and white, boosting her teammates regardless of the sport.
Makenzie Alapai, Kamehameha, Sr.
>> Absolute dawg in the best definition. There’s a finesse element to her offensive game, hitting the occasional 3, making the smooth pass to an open teammate for a better shot. But Alapai brought a willingness to battle anybody regardless of size. Too strong for most guards. Too quick and tough for bigs. Her value isn’t measure by basic offensive statistics. Originally from Kona, she would have brought big value to the Wildcats if she had never attended Kamehameha, but fate brought her to play for the Princess.
Tuisila Wily-Ava, Kahuku, Sr.
>> In spurts, Wily-Ava could be unstoppable. Too big and tall as a passer against smaller foes. Too strong in the post. Too rugged on the boards. 3-point range and court vision, essentially a genetic gift from her bloodline of hoopsters. If she can stay healthy, her deep skill set is an asset at the next level.
Serenity Tacgere, Moanalua, So.
>> Relentless, tough, twitchy, unselfish. Tacgere’s bounce and boundless energy were huge for Na Menehune this season. If she wants it, the door is open to a 20/10 junior year. Just scratching the surface of her potential. If she gets her free-throw percentage up from 47 percent to 60, combined with 8-10 FT attempts per game, that should turn her 11-point scoring average to 15-18 ppg without a hitch. Tacgere is as close to a hustling, rebounding female version of Dennis Rodman that I’ve seen in ages.
Lilyanah-Tiare Tavale, Kapolei, So.
>> She was a revelation for the Hurricanes, scoring 13 ppg in regular season and (Division II) state-tournament play. A three-level scorer who is more than ready in the event that Kapolei is bumped up to D-I in the near future.
Myah Galdeira, Kailua, Sr.
>> She was a key factor in the Lady Surfriders 10-4 season in OIA play. Galdeira averaged 17 ppg for the year, shooting 75 percent from the foul line. Phenomenal against D-I foes with 20 points on Moanalua, 25 on Campbell, and 23 on Moanalua in a rematch.
Ahnastaziah Wright, Punahou, Jr.,
>> We will never know the ceiling for Punahou’s 2024-25 team because of the season-ending injury to Wright’s freshman sister, Zaraiyah. Ahnastaziah and the Buffanblu carried on, upsetting Maryknoll late in the ILH season. At 5-9, her guard skills and strength are imposing for most opposing guards. She clearly passes the eye test as a potential college player. Developing a consistent 3-point shot and a reliable post move would make Wright, arguably, the most imposing three-position playmaker in the state not named Nihoa Dunn. After averaging 10 ppg this season, there’s no reason she can’t near 18-20 ppg next season.
Pua Saole, Punahou, Jr.
>> Always active and nimble with the ball, the 5-10 post averaged 10 ppg. Saole shot 82 percent from the foul line. She had a season-high 24 points in a 58-48 loss to ‘Iolani on Jan. 25.
Taylor Schnitzer, Kamehameha-Maui, Jr.
>> A steady double-digit scorer to lead the Warriors. Schnitzer scored at least 10 points in 11 of KS-Maui’s 12 MIL games. She shot 34 percent from the foul line. If she gets that up to 50 percent, it could be the difference between staying home and going to states. If she gets that up to 70 percent, that’s easily an extra 2-3 points per game for the Warriors, and likely much more as she becomes more dominant in senior year.
Leila Paraoan, Kapolei, Sr.
>> The Hurricanes’ volleyball-basketball standout was a persistent low-post weapon. It was intriguing to see a smooth, spiking outside hitter in volleyball transform into a scoring machine who rarely left the paint in Kapolei’s offense. The 5-9 forward averaged 14 ppg and shot 45 percent from the FT line.
Cayden Parado, Campbell, Jr.
>> A dangerous long-distance shooter, Parado had her best scoring output against Kamehameha in the state tournament with 16 points. She shot 79 percent from the foul line for the season, but averaged less than one FT attempt per game.
Alina Stephenson, Kalani, Jr.
>> The active forward averaged 14 points per game, shooting 66 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Falcons’ resurgence was built on tough defense and scrappy rebounding despite the relative lack of size. Stephenson provided 17.3 points per game in Kalani’s final six games. The season ended in the OIA playoffs with a loss at Nanakuli on a night when Stephenson was a very uncharacteristic 9-for-19 at the charity stripe.
Sophia Moniz, Pahoa, Fr.
>> The Lady Daggers relied on a mix of veterans and young talent like Moniz, who averaged 17 points per game. She has the potential as a guard to be one of the best players out of Pahoa since Vicky Tagalicod, who grew up there, but played for the Hilo Vikings in the 1990s and was recruited by USC.
All-Defense
1. Mia Frye, ‘Iolani
>> Despite injuries and lingering pain, Frye was always everywhere at once defensively. Crashing the boards against bigger foes. Hitting the floor for loose balls. One of the best on-ball defenders in school history. Her impact as a leader is immeasurable. If your teammate is playing like this every day through multiple injuries, there is no lower standard for an entire team.
2. Rylee Cabuyado-Caswell, Kamehameha
>> Sacrificed much of her offense to put all her energy into being the Warriors’ lockdown defender. Coach Pua Straight trusted Cabuyado-Caswell’s versatility, strength and, most of all, determination to take on every opposing team’s top scorer/playmaker.
3. Shailoh Liilii, Moanalua
>> Liilii got through the season with a lingering injury, but still provided Na Menehune with a shot-blocking force at the rim, contesting shots with her 6-foot frame and length.
4. Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha
>> Always physical and smart on both ends, Dunn was a reliable rebounder and defender.
5. Serenity Tacgere, Moanalua
>> Tacgere’s quickness, toughness and ability to guard all five positions was invaluable for Na Menehune. The sophomore has the potential to average a double double for the rest of her career.
6. Justice Kekauoha, ‘Iolani
>> Arguably one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, and one of the top rebounding guards to boot. It is rare for a leading scorer to exert energy on defense as much as Kekauoha does.
7. Hailey Fernandez, ‘Iolani
>> On-ball defense by Fernandez is always a threat to opposing point guards. Relentless from start to finish every game. Dynamic, explosive and physical.
8. Pua‘ena Herrington, Maryknoll
>> A tough rebounder and difficult to get open looks against even when the Spartans were in a 2-3 matchup zone. Herrington’s length and IQ were huge for Maryknoll. As she gains more strength, her dominance on the boards will surface even more so.
9. Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell
>> A long, tough-nosed defender who can cover all five positions. Playing guard and still being a consistent rebounder can take a toll, but Sotelo was strong from the beginning of the season to the end.
10. Makenzie Alapai, Kamehameha
>> A consummate basketball player willing to do anything to help her team win a state title. Her versatility as a perimeter and post defender, using quickness and strength, was a classic example of the Warriors’ unselfish, rugged approach to defense.
Most Improved
1. Pomai Nakakura, Kamehameha
>> The senior guard came up big for the Warriors with 12 points in the state final against ‘Iolani, With defenses collapsing on POY Nihoa Dunn, the perimeter shooting and passing of Nakakura and her teammates was vital to the title run.
2. Pua Saole, Punahou
>> The sophomore’s versatility was a big part of Punahou’s improvement in 2024-25. Saole averaged 9 ppg, including a season-high 24 in a loss to ‘Iolani. She also shot 82 percent from the foul line. The return of Saole, Ahnastaziah Wright, Jaedyn Koshiba and Zaraiyah Wright is a talented core for next season’s Punahou squad.
3. Rheanna Nobleza, Moanalua
>> The speedy, electrifying senior guard dealt with an early-season injury to average 14 ppg. Nobleza was playing her best basketball late in the season when a concussion injury suffered in the OIA final against Kahuku ended the promise of a Moanalua run at states.
Top Newcomer
1. Mayah Soriano, ‘Iolani
>> The 5-7 freshman was a long-distance sniper for the Raiders, the best catch-and-shoot 3-pointer sharpshooter in the ILH. Soriano averaged 12 points per game and sank 76 treys in ILH and post-season play.. Though Justice Kekauoha was a matchup nightmare, every opponent’s defensive game plan began with “Do not let Soriano have open looks.”
2. Serenity Tacgere, Moanalua
>> The 5-11 sophomore was a relentless source of energy and toughness in the paint for Na Menehune, averaging 10 ppg with a number of double-double performances.
3. Sophia Moniz, Pahoa
>> The freshman averaged 16 points per game in BIIF play, including a season-high 28 against Kohala, sparking the Daggers to a state-tournament berth.
4. Grace Pak, Konawaena
>> The freshman guard missed a chunk of the season due to injury, but returned late in the season and scored 21 points (five 3-pointers) in a state semifinal loss to ‘Iolani.
5. Shaileia Hookahi-Bannister, Konawaena
>> The versatile freshman forward had a stellar season (9 ppg) before injuring her knee against ‘Iolani at the state tournament.
2025-26 Top 4
Division I
1. Kamehameha
2. Konawaena
3. ‘Iolani
4. Punahou
Division II
1. Hanalani
2. Hawaii Baptist
3. Waimea
4. Pahoa
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