Honoka'a advanced to its third consecutive Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball Championship quarterfinals last night, holding off Moanalua, 33-25, in first-round action at Stan Sheriff Center.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up Dragons improved to 13-3 in the regular and postseason and will face O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion and No. 1 seed Roosevelt (14-1) at 4 p.m. today.

"We're looking forward to it," said Honoka'a All-State point guard Keisha Kanekoa, who had six points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals last night. "We were nervous again. The first game of the state tournament, there's always lots of jitters. But hopefully we can play our game tomorrow and I can get my shots to fall."

Points were hard to come by for both teams last night, especially in the first half when the Dragons took a 15-7 lead despite 6-of-24 (25 percent) shooting from the field. Na Menehune were even worse, making just 3 of 16 shots.

"I think we were in sync offensively; we just missed shots," Moanalua coach Rick Gonsalves said. "When we missed, we got tentative and then we were just standing around. But we still were in striking distance."

Honoka'a extended its lead to 23-12 after three periods, but Na Menehune closed to 29-21 after Jamie Ronolo's two free throws with 2:24 remaining.

But they could get no closer as the Dragons answered Moanalua's free throws with transition fast-break layups.

Na Menehune also struggled all night to get second shots, as they finished with only three offensive rebounds.

"Blocking out and rebounding is essential for us to survive," Honoka'a coach Shawna Lau Kong said. "In order for us to win, we have to limit the other team's second-chance opportunities."

Jessika Lorenzo scored eight points and added six rebounds for the Dragons.

Ronolo led all scorers with 13 points.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.