Kahuku edges Campbell, 33-31, to win 10th OIA league title

PEARL CITY — There is a new champ atop the OIA girls basketball mountain.

Kahuku dethroned Campbell, 33-31, Wednesday night before a capacity crowd in the league’s Division I title game at Pearl City’s gymnasium.

The Red Raiders captured their 10th OIA crown in the process, their first since 2020.

“I’m proud of them, they worked hard” said Kahuku coach Artevia Wily-Ava. “They stayed focused, the energy from our bench carried over. Pretty excited that they got this.”

Junior guard Posia Wily led all scorers and earned ‘Yeah U Player of the Game’ honors with nine points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

“She’s the one, she’s the leader that has to get all the girls refocused,” said Wily-Ava, the older sister of Wily. 

“She’s probably one of our strongest mentally, probably physically as well. She’s not that big, not that tall, but she’s the one that gets everybody refocused. She’ll push the pace and we can always depend on her when she pulls it out to start things over again.”

Wily said defense has been the main focus for the Red Raiders, who held the Sabers to just 23.9 percent shooting from the field (11-for-46). Kahuku also tallied 16 steals and four blocks in the matchup.

“I think especially during these last practices and towards the end of the season we worked on our defense a lot,” said Wily. “Our coaches were telling us to do the small things, the little things, get rebounds, box out, keep your hands up. We just needed to execute those things and it worked out for us.”

Tuisila Wily-Ava was also key with eight points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Leading Campbell in the loss with eight points apiece were Jaynalyn Sotelo and Taysia Molina-Schulte.