Two-time defending girls basketball state champion Punahou will get a chance to go for a three-peat after all.

Janelle Nomura scored a team-high 17 points and Punahou defeated Kamehameha, 50-47, in overtime last night to win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I girls basketball tournament at McCabe Gym.

Punahou (9-5) earned one of two ILH berths in the state tournament. 'Iolani won the other berth.

"This victory means the world to us," Nomura said. "We made this game an all-out game, a do-or-die game, and we just came out to play tonight."

Despite a slew of injuries, the Buffanblu proved they are still the team to beat in the state. Punahou is missing Shawna-Lei Kuehu, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu and Ciana Aiwohi with knee injuries. Also, Rebecca Lau returned last week from an ankle injury.

"I'm pretty sure the whole state was doubting our team right now," Nomura said. "No one on our team doubted us. Our team knows we can make it to states, and win states. We're positive."

Chelsea Deptula hit the go-ahead free throw and Dara Tompkison added two more to give Punahou a 44-41 lead with 1:32 remaining in overtime against Kamehameha (11-3).

Moments later, Kamehameha's Alex Akana scored on a putback and was fouled with 1:09 to go. Her free throw bounced off the back rim and Punahou sealed the game by making 6 of 8 free throws.

"Free throws were a factor," Akana said. "It just so happened that their free throw shooting was a little better than ours."

The Buffanblu outscored the Warriors 9-6 in the four-minute overtime. Punahou made 9 of 14 foul shots in the extra period; the Warriors sank 4 of 5.

"Every game in the ILH is tough," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "This was a battle because of the adverse situations we had to overcome."

Ana Viena-Lota's 3-pointer from the right wing and 18-foot jumper from the right baseline gave Kamehameha a 38-30 lead early in the final quarter.

But Nomura responded with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and two free throws, and Tompkison drained a crucial 3-pointer from the left baseline to tie it at 38.

"They did a good job of swinging the ball on the court," Tompkison said. "I just happened to be open. I just knew it was going in."

Moments later, Tompkison hit a pair of go-ahead free throws and Nomura added a free throw to make it 41-39.

However, Akana hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 41 with 17.6 ticks to go. Nomura had a chance to win the game on the final play but her putback rimmed out.

"We got lucky tonight," Punahou's Taylor said. "Kamehameha, I think, is one of the top three teams in the entire state. 'Iolani is already there. It's unfortunate they only take two (ILH teams)."

Akana finished with a team-high 17 points, including 10 in the first half. Viena-Lota added 13.

"Alex, we couldn't get around her," Nomura said of Akana. "She took advantage of us not boxing her out, and she had easy putbacks."

KAMEHAMEHA (11-3) 13 12 8 8 6 — 47

PUNAHOU (9-5) 15 6 9 11 9 — 50

KAMEHAMEHA — Alexis Furtado 4, Ana Viena-Lota 13, Pomaikai Kalakau 0, Shaleese Javillo 4, Lindsey Wong 2, Tiana Abbley 0, Pualani Kalakau 0, Piikea Kalakau 0, Rhani Kaneaiakala 0, Alex Akana 17, Kylle Roy 2, Casey Lum 5, Johanna Sai 0. Totals 15 15-22 47.

PUNAHOU — Ciana Aiwohi 0, Melanie Feldman 6, Rebecca Lau 2, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane 2, Dara Tompkison 13, Erin Moon 0, Ashley Satterwhite 0, Janelle Nomura 17, Anna Merrifield 0, Chelsea Deptula 5, Devon Yamauchi 0, Taj'a Wong 0, Kysa Ludviksen 0, Tressa Torres 3, Tiera Jenson 2. Totals 11 25-34 50.

3-point goals: Kamehameha 2 (Viena-Lota 2). Punahou 3 (Tompkison 2, Nomura).

OIA RED

MOANALUA 45, KAHUKU 39

Jamie Ronolo poured in 23 points and Na Menehune (5-10) used a 13-4 third quarter to pull away from the Red Raiders (5-10) last night at McKinley gym. Both teams have already clinched O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference berths in the state tournament.

KAHUKU (5-10) 7 16 4 12 — 39

MOANALUA (5-10) 12 10 13 10 — 45

KAHUKU — Taeja Afalava 6, Brittney Fesolai 5, Krystle Magunba-Glover 0, McZeen Alae 9, Vaimalama Tito 2, Keisha Moeai 2, Alayna Galeai 5, Kenra Moe 2, Nicholle Nautu 8. Totals 17 1-2 39.

MOANALUA — Brianna Lagat-Ramos 2, Deena Dela Cruz 9, Michelle Hardy 4, Janelle Uncango 0, Jamie Ronolo 23, Indah Widyakusuma 2, Britni Ronolo 5. Totals 17 9-18 45. 3-point goals: Kahuku 4 (Ale 3, Fesolai). Moanalua 2 (J. Ronolo 2).

Reported by Kaylee Chang

OIA WHITE

KAILUA 54, WAIALUA 45

Ashley Jacobs hit three 3-pointers an route to 21 points, Zsalei Kamaka added 13 and the Surfriders raced to a 31-17 halftime lead in beating the Bulldogs to clinch the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference's third and final state tournament berth.

KAILUA (10-5) 13 18 10 13 — 54

WAIALUA (7-7) 9 8 15 13 — 45

KAILUA — Kristen Corrales 10, Tawny Kiko 6, Tianna McKeague 0, Zsalei Kamaka 13, Jarrish Mauhili-Kaneakua 0, Netia Ulugaono 2, Ashley Jacobs 21, Kahea Chang 2. Totals 19 13-17 54.

WAIALUA — Klleirr Tuyay 0, Misty Maxwell 0, Chelsey Ramirez 16, Brittney Basillo 9, Ashley Carillo 5, Noe Dela Pena-Ho'opai 2, Kimberley Meyerowitz 13, Mikiala Leslie 0. Totals 18 6-11 45. 3-point goals: Kailua 3 (Jacobs 3). Waialua 3 (Ramirez 2, Basillo).

Reported by Roz Ching

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.