Konawaena Ranked in MaxPreps ‘Xcellent 25’

Konawaena High School’s girls basketball team is getting national recognition, not only for its numerous years of continuous success, but also its strong start this season.

For the second consecutive week, Konawaena was ranked in MaxPreps’ “Xcellent 25,” recognizing the top high school girls programs in the country.

Two weeks ago, Konawaena was ranked eleventh on the list. Last Thursday, the Wildcats’ were moved up to ninth place in the rankings, which were released prior to the Wildcats’ appearance at the ‘Iolani Classic. Kona defeated Oregon prep school South Medford and California standout Bishop O’Dowd, along with a rout of Mililani, to claim the tournament title.

Konawaena, under veteran head coach Bobby Awa, has started the year off with a 9-0 record, including wins over several ranked opponents, including Lahainaluna, Honoka’a, Iolani, and Mililani. The Wildcats are beating their foes by an average of 31.1 points per contest.

On the horizon for Awa’s Konawaena squad is the Title IX tournament in Washington, D.C., held Dec. 28-30. The Wildcats will open the tournament against the only team that handed them a loss a season ago, Forestville High School of Maryland.

Before that, however, Konawaena will open Big Island Interscholastic Federation play on Tuesday night against Pahoa.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Rankings (as of Dec. 10)

1. St. Mary’s (CA)
2. Riverdale Baptist (MD)
3. Paul VI (VA)
4. Centennial (LV)
5. Chaminade (CA)
6. St. Francis (GA)
7. Duncanville (TX)
8. Neumann-Goretti (PA)
9. Konawaena (HI)
10. Lakota West (OH)
11. Cumberland Valley (PA)
12. National Christian Academy (MD)
13. Miramonte (CA)
14. North Shore (TX)
15. Homestead (IN)
16. Princess Anne (VA)
17. St. John Vianney (NJ)
18. Blackman (TN)
19. Lynnwood (WA)
20. Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD)
21. Montini (IL)
22. Riverdale (TN)
23. Hopkins (MN)
24. Parkway North (MO)
25. Detroit Country Day (MI)