PUKALANI — The outcome was never really in doubt, but it was still significant for the Lahainaluna High School girls basketball team.

The Lunas made the drive from West Maui to King Kekaulike gym on Friday night and beat Na Alii 81-32.

It was 26-5 after one period, 56-15 at halftime, and 76-21 at the end of the third quarter. The 30-point mercy-rule running clock stayed on for the entire second half.

The victory clinched the Maui Interscholastic League Division I regular-season title for the Lunas (10-1) and the state tournament berth that goes with it — the Heide & Cooke/HHSAA D-I state tournament is Jan. 30 and Feb. 1-3.

Ledjan Pahukoa, a two-time MIL D-I All-Star, led Lahainaluna with 22 points. In their first opportunity to clinch the regular-season title a week ago, the Lunas lost 52-51 on a buzzer-beater at Maui High.

“I think winning is a big step for the girls, it’s a big thing confidence-wise,” Pahukoa said. “I think going into states the girls will have that self-confidence.”

Pahukoa said this team is remarkably close, on and off the court.

“It’s really fun, the chemistry is great, we’re super tight,” she said. “I’ve been playing with these girls since like middle school.”

The Lunas were eliminated in the state semifinals last year, and Pahu­koa has just one thing on her mind as she and sisters Mary and Chaland near the end of their senior season: a state title.

“It’s a big thing for Lahainaluna,” Ledjan Pahukoa said. “It’s a community thing.”

Tavina Harris finished with 13 points for the Lunas.

All eight players on Na Alii’s roster return next season. Junior guard Kalena Akinaka led the way on Friday with 16 points.

The loudest cheer from the home crowd came when freshman Kala’ahie Wong scored with less than a minute to play.

“Out of all my seasons here, this is the most fun I’m having so far,” said King Kekaulike coach Cy Peters, who is in his ninth season at the helm. “I have three juniors — they are the only ones who ever played basketball in their life.”

Peters said that he feels Akinaka could play for any team in the MIL.

“Personally, I think she’s the best in the league right now,” Peters said. “She rebounds, blocks shots, points, she does it all, you know?”

Peters is certainly impressed by the Lunas and their dynasty that will be seeking an 18th straight MIL crown when the league tournament rolls around.

“Lunas are the Lunas, great program, but we’re chasing them, we’re going to come after them, we’re going to keep working,” Peters said.

Lahainaluna head coach Iolani Kaniho played basketball with Peters for Lahainaluna several years ago. He smiled when told what his former teammate said and then turned to the matters at hand.

“That’s always your main goal, the first goal is to clinch (a state berth) and then the second goal is to take the title,” Kaniho said. “Hopefully we can do a good job in the MIL tournament and get the seeded berth.”

Kaniho said the chemistry grows with his group every day at practice.

“We’re working toward it, every day we are trying to get better,” he said. “They’ve known each other for a few years now, so they’re starting to get used to playing with each other and it’s starting to show on the court.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com

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LAHAINALUNA (10-1)

Chaland Pahukoa 9, Juseana Rae Delatori 5, Mary Pahukoa 9, Ledjan Pahukoa 22, Alohilani Dudoit 0, Tavina Harris 13, Amaya Tuala 0, Skylyn Fangarang 9, Shaadi Brands 0, Haley Mahoe 6, Kate-Lynn Colipano 8.

KING KEKAULIKE (0-10)

Jonnie Abreu 4, Kalena Akinaka 16, Norah Brown 2, Chalanne Fabunmi 0, Nicole Banaag 0, Kala’ahie Wong 2, Phoenyx Sneddon 0, Taimane Fina’i 8.

Lahainaluna 26 30 20 5–81

King Kekaulike 5 10 6 11–32

LAHAINALUNA BOYS 57, KING KEKAULIKE 54

LAHAINALUNA (7-3)

Kade Cunningham 7, Ian Cabanilla 5, Jayah Bayol 2, Kana’au Castro 11, Ryder Lombardi 2, Jacques Djurberg 12, Noah Flores Alexander 18, Koali Asuela 0.

KING KEKAULIKE (1-9)

Kyson Lacio 3, Keanu Kanekoa 3, Jayden Kupau 3, Kyle Davies 6, Kalil Kubinski 14, Gabriel Lopes 6, Ethan Booker 4, Noah Buford 15, La’akea Mossman 0.

Lahainaluna 12 12 19 14–57

King Kekaulike 14 15 8 17–54

BALDWIN BOYS 67, MAUI HIGH 45

MAUI HIGH (3-7)

Ivan Domingo 2, Zarek Casio 2, Rodney Vaka 5, Jermaine Baguyo 4, Shane Milliet 4, Jaren Butihi 8, Jazz Castro 2, Jovan Butac 1, Isaac Domingo 0, Julius Bueno 12, Patrick Borden 5, DJ Sabas 0, Carlo Bellandi 0.

BALDWIN (7-2)

Kai Shing 0, Jay-Kwon Torres-Leeber 4, Chaz Villados 2, Alex Murata 2, Xyler Nakamura 0, Jaeven Sumper 3, Kona Anderson 8, Ryal Burton 10, Kolt Yarbrough 7, Avery Pauole 8, Trotter Apo 11, Ghesiah Faleafine-Auwae 5, Dylan Kuia 2, Evan Manarpaac 3, Casey Talana 2, Brock Toma 0.

Maui High 2 12 16 15–45

Baldwin 21 15 18 13–67

MAUI HIGH GIRLS 58, BALDWIN 45

MAUI HIGH (9-2)

Mareea Casio 2, Jacy Anne Dela Cruz 7, Amane Fukada 0, Kyra Okuyama 6, Lyndee Sabas 12, Jordyn Luna 9, Naiara Bal 8, Macy Fillazar 0, Margie Ruiz-Sana 0, Madelein Milliet 0, Kayla Faye Vergara 0, Abseydee Lizada 0, Kiana Manuel 14, Aaliyah McKim 0.

BALDWIN (2-8)

Kayla Martin 0, Kanoa Gogue-Kahalekai 0, Talo Mafatini 12, Heather Neumann 31, Charlyn Mae Flores 0, Gabrielle Madariaga 0, Alexandra Tupou De La Vara 2.

Maui High 15 14 16 13–58

Baldwin 8 14 8 15–45

SEABURY HALL BOYS 79, LANAI 37

SEABURY HALL (7-0)

Bryce Churchill 3, Ethan Palmer 3, Kobe Garcia 15, Leo McKuin 2, Dylan Stolley 3, Jeaneau Dugied 0, Zack Devane 12, Daniel Arashiro-Garcia 3, Bromo Dorn 24, Keahi Sjostrand 9, Sebastian Peterson 3, Carson Hollifield 2.

LANAI (4-3)

Sam Dimaya III 13, Reese Etrata 0, Makaiah Alboro 3, Jake Barcena 2, Ryan Noble 2, Robert James Sarmiento 2, Spenser Elan 2, Aiden Hough 3, Chase Connor 2, Jeomar Baltero 0, Karell Calso 0, Kristian Kraytchev 4, KJ Kanno 4.

Seabury Hall 23 27 15 14–79

Lanai 6 14 7 10–37

MOLOKAI BOYS 62, MAUI PREP 39

MAUI PREP (3-4)

Flynn Williams 24, Kai Shivery 8, Emerson Flores 4, Kai Godwin 3.

MOLOKAI (3-4)

Heath Lopez 19, Kahakoi Lopez 10, Jericho Adolpho 12, Damare’a Braxton 7, David Kalilikane 6, Brayon Colon 4, Kapono Cabalar 4.

Maui Prep 12 15 7 5–39

Molokai 17 15 12 18–62

MOLOKAI GIRLS 40, SEABURY HALL 11

SEABURY HALL (3-4)

Marley Kokubun 5, Ruby Kofron 4, Kaileigh Cabanilla 2.

MOLOKAI (4-2)

Leila Hooper-Phifer 10, Kailana McGuire-Guerrero 9, Kaia Yamashita 8, Khloe Bicoy 6, Pi’i Victorino 4, Kaui Wright-Jordan 2, Natalia Pastrana 1.

Seabury Hall 2 0 3 6–11

Molokai 13 16 9 3–40

HALEAKALA WALDORF BOYS 56, HANA 23

HANA (0-7)

Buddy Toulouse 0, Irie Mizner 12, Straton McClure 5, Fa’a Moeai 0, Nawahi Lecker-Tolentino 0, Laumana Helekahi-Matsuda 6, Ikua Peters 0.

HALEAKALA WALDORF (4-3)

Keanu Frith 0, Gabe Jeffers 0, Oskar Friedman 6, Tim Walsh 7, Cyris Laurie-Schaefer 17, Jack Hagebak 8, Kyle Kelmerson 18.

Hana 10 2 9 2–23

Haleakala Waldorf 14 11 18 13–56

HANA GIRLS 24

HALEAKALA WALDORF 22, OT

Haleakala Waldorf 5 8 5 2 2–22

Hana 0 7 6 7 4–24

High scorers–Haleakala Waldorf: Linnea Friedman 7, Eliana Yudis 5. Hana: Asa-Praise Kalalau 8, Kawelo Roback 6.

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MIL BASKETBALL STANDINGS

GIRLS

DIVISION I

W L Pct. GB

x-Lahainaluna 10 1 .909 —

Maui High 9 2 .818 1

Kamehameha Maui 5 5 .500 41⁄2

Baldwin 2 8 .200 71⁄2

King Kekaulike 0 10 .000 91⁄2

DIVISION II

W L Pct. GB

x-Lanai 8 0 1.000 —

Molokai 4 2 .667 3

Seabury Hall 3 4 .429 41⁄2

Hana 2 5 .286 51⁄2

Haleakala Waldorf 0 6 .000 7

x-clinched regular-season championship

Friday’s Results

Maui High 58, Baldwin 45

Lahainaluna 81, King Kekaulike 32

Molokai 40, Seabury Hall 11

Hana 24, Haleakala Waldorf 22, OT

Today’s Games

Haleakala Waldorf at Hana, 11 a.m.

Seabury Hall at Molokai, 11:30 a.m.

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MIL BASKETBALL STANDINGS

BOYS

DIVISION I

W L Pct. GB

Baldwin 7 2 .778 —

Lahainaluna 7 3 .700 1⁄2

Kamehameha Maui 6 3 .667 1

Maui High 3 7 .300 4 1⁄2

King Kekaulike 1 9 .100 6 1⁄2

DIVISION II

W L Pct. GB

Seabury Hall 7 0 1.000 —

Haleakala Waldorf 4 3 .571 3

Lanai 4 3 .571 3

Maui Prep 3 4 .429 4

Molokai 3 4 .429 4

Hana 0 7 .000 7

Friday’s Results

Baldwin 67, Maui High 45

Lahainaluna 57, King Kekaulike 54

Molokai 62, Maui Prep 39

Haleakala Waldorf 56, Hana 23

Seabury Hall 79, Lanai 37

Today’s Games

Maui Prep at Molokai, 10 a.m.

Seabury Hall at Lanai, 10 a.m.

Haleakala Waldorf at Hana, 11 a.m.