The Konawaena girls basketball team rode the "Get the ball to Mana" game plan to victory last night over Moanalua.

Hopkins scored 27 points and the Wildcats started the fourth period on a 16-4 run in a 52-48 victory in the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division I State Championships at Farrington.

Hopkins, a 5-foot-9 senior, also had five rebounds and four steals for Konawaena (11-3). Most of her points came on power moves to the hoop.

"When I'm open and when I can," said Hopkins, when asked if she wants the ball in crunch time.

Konawaena, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up, will play No. 1 seed Punahou in the quarterfinals tonight at 8 at Farrington. The Wildcats beat Punahou in last season's Division I state title.

"It'll be fun for our girls," said Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa.

The Wildcats' run gave them a 47-38 advantage with 1:16 remaining. Hopkins scored 10 of the Wildcats' first 12 points of the fourth.

"We got to play with confidence. We ran the floor well, we made our open shots," Hopkins said.

Konawaena made 7 of 8 free-throw attempts over the final 1:42 to seal the victory.

"Sometimes we're shooting 1,000 free throws a week," Awa said. "We had been struggling from the free-throw line."

Moanalua, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's No. 6 team, made only two field goals in the fourth period and committed seven turnovers.

Konawaena spoiled an outstanding performance by Britni Ronolo, who had 21 points, 12 rebounds and four steals.

Ronolo, a 5-9 senior, scored Na Menehune's final nine points of the first period as Moanalua took an 11-8 lead.

Ronolo didn't score in the second period, but came back with 10 in the third as Moanalua (8-9) took a 34-31 lead.

Hopkins scored 11 points in the first half for Konawaena, which led 20-15 at halftime. She also had three rebounds and three steals.

"Mana had to work hard. She worked really hard in the first half," Awa said. "We didn't really give her a breather. In the second half, we needed everybody to be confident in their shot."

Kara Hanato-Smith added 11 points for Konawaena. Hopkins is the only senior on the Wildcats' nine-player roster and Hanato-Smith is one of four juniors. The rest of the team are freshmen.

"Mana and Kara have the most experience on the team. We want the ball in their hands," Awa said. "My teammates are mostly freshman."

MOANALUA (8-9) 11 4 19 14 — 48

KONAWAENA (11-3) 8 12 11 21 — 52

MOANALUA — A.J. Verdida 0, Hoku Dela Cruz 11, Amanda Selvey 0, Janelle Uncangco 0, Qwineysha Wheeler 8, Britni Ronolo 21, Indah Widyakusuma 2, Justine Aguas 4, Joanna Nicolas 2. Totals 16 16-22 48.

KONAWAENA — Staysha Galigo 0, Malia Tanaka 6, Thea Hanato-Smith 0, Kara Hanato-Smith 11, Kimberly Brown 2, Anuhea Wall 2, Mana Hopkins 27, Misilosa U'ulopa 4, Lucy Bown 0. Totals 19 13-17 52.

3-point goals: Konawaena 1 (Hanato-Smith).