Honolulu, HI
A close championship match in the 2026 OIA D2 Girls Basketball matchup between the Kaiser Cougars and the Pearl City Chargers. The undefeated Chargers looked to finish the season unbeaten and reclaim the title while the Cougars looked to pull the upset and be named champs.
This was the first time in two years that the Chargers made their appearance back in the title game. They beat McKinley back in 2024 to be crowned D2 champs. This time they are back once again and Kaiser stands in front of them.
As for Kaiser, a championship for them would end a 37 year drought. The last time the Lady Cougars won a championship title, was back in 1989.
The two teams met twice. One in the preseason where Pearl City would win 42-30 and one in the regular season where the game would be much closer but still won by Pearl City 48-45. Fast forward two weeks and the two face again in the final match of the OIA season. It’s hard beating the same team twice, let alone trying to make it three times. Both teams know each other well heading into the match. Experience and chemistry always plays a factor where big moments matter.
It was an all defensive battle where the Cougars would lead majorly of the game. Defensive stops and critical shot selection got both teams battling for the lead late in the game. Although shots weren’t falling down for both teams, they had the right selection when needed. Turnovers and fouls were a big impact on both sides. With the game being close, it was only a matter of time that someone would add the spark that was needed to finish through.
The Chargers would tie things up with less than 6 minutes in the match and would take the lead the rest of the way. Lady Chargers, Trinidad Salazar, would come up big with her 3 point shooting having 9 points from beyond the arch.
After only leading once up until that point, the Chargers battled it out to regain momentum on their end. Chargers Freshman, Kyrie Chan, also played a key role for the chargers as she would hit critical shots when needed, especially a dagger of a 3 late in the fourth to pull themselves away from Kaiser.
The Lady Chargers would come out with the win in the end and be named your 2026 OIA D2 Girls Basketball Championship. Congratulations to the Lady Chargers Basketball Program, School, and Community!
Final Score: Pearl City 30 - Kaiser 24
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
