Basketball Game Preview: Hanalani Royals vs. Mid-Pacific Institute Owls

Hanalani and Mid-Pacific Institute are an even 5-5 against one another since January of 2016, but not for long. The Hanalani Royals will welcome the Mid-Pacific Institute Owls at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Hanalani is coming into the match hot, having won their last eight games.

Hanalani saw some tournament action on Monday. They walked away with a 50-41 victory over Maria Carrillo. Given the Royals' advantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked fifth in Hawaii, while the Pumas are ranked 254th in California), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Hanalani got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Ellana Klemp out in front who dropped a double-double on 17 points and 11 boards. That makes it three consecutive games in which Klemp has scored at least a third of Hanalani's points. Another player making a difference was Jayda Okuhara, who posted 11 points and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, Mid-Pacific Institute was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap last Saturday as they fell 48-43 to Damien. The Owls have struggled against the Monarchs recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost matchup.

Mid-Pacific Institute's defeat dropped their record down to 2-9. As for Hanalani, their victory bumped their record up to 14-4.

Hanalani took their win against Mid-Pacific Institute in their previous meeting back in December of 2023 by a conclusive 39-17. Does Hanalani have another victory up their sleeve, or will Mid-Pacific Institute turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.