Honolulu, HI
A new team would be crowned the 2026 OIA D1 Girls Basketball Champions and it would come down to the Campbell Sabers and the Kalani Falcons. With a team that has experience and a team that has a young core, it would be a game bound to have its big moments. Both teams being unbeaten, it would be interesting to see how a team with a freshman phenom in Jordin Baker, who’s been averaging 20 points per game would go up against a team with two 4 years varsity leaders in Jaynalyn Sotelo and Cayden Parado.
it's been a year since the sabers last made the oia championship match. they fell short to the kahuku red raiders last year in the semifinal, where now campbell saber, Makana kamakeeaina, was playing for and became back to back champs. the sabers made a deep run in the 2025 hhsaa state tournament, although falling short in the semifinal to now reigning and defending champs of kamehameha kapalama. with a chance back in the oia title match, the sabers look to bring back the glory days where Julien parado (older sister of Cayden parado) and ALiyah Bantolina (cousin of Jaynalyn Sotelo) led the way to those back to back titles in 2022 and 2023. Jaynalyn aka Jiji and Cayden were just freshman's back then when they last won. both seniors now, they look to finish what they started and end their senior run with a championship win and hopefully a state championship final to play in.
The Falcons knocked off the Mililani Trojans just two nights ago in the OIA semifinal match. A game where it would come down to the wire and a game where freshman guard, Jordin Baker, continued to score above 20 points and woul end the night with 23 points. it was a back and forth battle all the way through 4 quarters. mililani had their moments where they could've got away with the win, but the young core of Kalani never lost sight of what they worked all season for. finishing the regular season undefeated and heading into the oia title still without a loss, it has been something worth being happy and proud for that the Kalani falcons have accomplished.
As for the Sabers, they found themselves playing against the Moanalua Na Menehune again in the semifinal round. The two teams faced off in the consolation round of the 2025 ‘Iolani Classic this past December where they would beat the Na Menehune. The Sabers have been averaging a 30 plus point differential against their opponents and they were looking to do the same in the postseason. Former Kahuku Red Raider and now Campbell Saber, Makana Kamakeeaina, has found her key role with this team. Her presence in the post and outside the arch has made it difficult for teams to stop the reigning back to back OIA champ and is looking to go back to back to back.
The Sabers started off hot from the jump. They would go on a 11-0 run to start the match. The Lady Sabers defense would be too much for the Falcons early on. From the full court press to doubling Kalani main ball handler and scorer, the Sabers were doing everything right. Forcing turnovers and turning them into points and knocking down shots off of set plays, it was looking to be a runaway train for the Sabers.
You can never count out a team in the championship match, especially with a freshman phenom in Jordin Baker. The Falcons would eventually cut the lead down to as little as 6. They had calmed down in the second half and slowly started chipping away the deficit. With the main player in foul trouble for the Sabers, Kalani quickly took the advantage and tried to even the game out.
With everything looking right for the Falcons but bad for the Sabers, it would be the presence of Senior Guard, Makana Kamakeeaina, who would stop the Falcons run. Kamakeeaina would drop 15 points and 9 rebounds to help the Sabers take control of the lead and finish the game with a dub.
They would be crowned champions once again and the Campbell Sabers are your 2026 OIA D1 Girls Basketball Champions. Congratulations to the Lady Sabers Basketball Program, School, and Community!
Final Score: Campbell 39 - Kalani 26
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
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Video by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
