The ‘Iolani High School girls basketball team arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on December 23, eager to make the most of their dual objectives: exploring Disneyland and competing in the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic. Despite facing heavy rain on December 24 and 25, the young athletes embraced the festive spirit, with freshman Charlotte Galloway reflecting, “It made me feel like a kid again.”
Transitioning from fun to competition, the Raiders showcased their prowess on Saturday, overcoming a slow start to defeat La Costa Canyon 57-41 at Canyon Hills High School. They competed in the WNBA Gold Division of the tournament, significant for featuring 102 teams from across the United States and Canada in 14 divisions.
‘Iolani’s reputation for excellence is well-earned; they have clinched the state championship five times in the last six years, finishing second in the previous year. Junior guard Justice Kekauoha, with multiple Division I offers, stated, “We like to hang banners,” emphasizing the team’s goal-oriented mindset.
Initially, the Raiders struggled, trailing by ten points at the end of the first quarter and entering halftime down 26-23. Head coach Cy Ohta humorously attributed the sluggish performance to the team still being in “too much Disneyland” mode. Kekauoha echoed this sentiment, feeling as though she was still in a “vacation zone.”
However, a resurgence in the third quarter, sparked by a defensive shift, propelled ‘Iolani into the lead. They outscored La Costa Canyon 24-9, an impressive turnaround that allowed them to go from being behind by ten points to leading by 20 in the fourth quarter. Coach Ohta reiterated the team’s emphasis on defense, stating, “We stress defense. That’s our number one thing.”
The standout performance came from 6-foot-4 freshman Charlotte Galloway, who scored a season-high 18 points. This impressive achievement showcased her rapid development; prior to this game, her best was 11 points. Kekauoha contributed 15 points to the Raiders’ efforts, while La Costa Canyon, ranked sixth in San Diego, was led by freshman Keani Brown with 13 points.
In other tournament action, Cathedral Catholic edged out Victory Christian Academy 43-37, with McKinley Hanlon leading the Dons, while Canyon Hills improved to 10-0 with a victory over Menifee Paloma Valley. Redondo Union also claimed a win against La Jolla Country Day, marking a challenging game for the Torreys.
The spirited performances from all teams in the tournament highlight not just the competitive nature of high school athletics but also the dedication and passion these young athletes exhibit as they pursue their basketball dreams.