Punahou girls basketball coach Mike Taylor says he wants "playmakers, not robots" on his team.

Yesterday, one of his players made plays, and played with the precision of a fine-tuned machine against Iolani in a playoff for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title.

Shawna-Lei Kuehu, a sophomore forward, scored 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Punahou rallied past Iolani, 46-40, at McCabe Gym.

Punahou (9-2) earned the right to defend its state tournament, while Iolani (8-3) will play in a league tournament for a second state berth.

The Raiders led 35-28 entering the fourth period, but Kuehu scored six points during an 8-0 run to give the Buffanblu a one-point lead with 2:23 left.

"Basically, he said to play basketball," said Kuehu of what Taylor told the team during the break between quarters. "We were focusing too much on our plays. He wants us to go out there and have fun and do what we love doing."

During the rally, Kuehu's twin sister, forward Shaena-Lyn, picked up her fourth and fifth fouls one second apart and headed to the bench with 2:54 remaining after scoring five points.

"It was kind of a downer. We had to step up and that's what we did," Shawna-Lei Kuehu said.

Jamie Smith hit an inside basket to give the Raiders a 37-36 lead, but Kuehu put the Buffanblu up for good with a layup while being fouled with 1:39 left.

The Buffanblu's final eight points came from the free-throw line.

Kuehu, one of four team captains (the others are seniors), scored 19 points in the second half, including 12 in the fourth period.

She out-muscled defenders in the paint and also stepped out and knocked down a couple of 15-foot jumpers.

"Shawna-Lei can do everything," Taylor said. "She can go inside, she can go outside. It's just a matter of getting her the ball in key situations."

He added she also did a good job of finding open teammates.

"Shawna plays well beyond her years, she's very mature, she's humble and she draws so much attention to herself, but she'll be the first one to kick the ball out," Taylor said.

Iolani guard Hennasea Tokumura scored 18 points during the first three period, but was only able to hit three free throws in the fourth and finished with 21.

"She was on fire in that third quarter and we needed people to step up and play defense and we did that," Taylor said.

Iolani was 1 of 5 from the field and committed seven turnovers in the fourth period.

Meanwhile, the Buffanblu went 4 of 8 from the field, 10 of 14 from the line and committed zero turnovers in the fourth.

"They just executed what they had to do offensively and defensively," Iolani coach Glenn Takara said.

The Raiders finished 7 of 20 from the free-throw line, including six consecutive misses in the second half.

"Usually we shoot well at the line," Takara said.

On Wednesday, Punahou defeated Iolani, 50-43, to force yesterday's playoff game.

PUNAHOU (9-2) 9 7 12 18—46

IOLANI (8-3) 7 13 15 5—40

IOLANI—Kaz Masutani 0, Hennasea Tokumura 21, Alana Matayoshi 0, Marci Kang 0, Alana Wall 2, Jamie Smith 13, Meilin Akamu 2, Sarah Turgeon 0, Keilyn Fujioka 2. Totals 15 7-20 40.

PUNAHOU—Ciana Aiwohi 4, Elizabeth Abe 5, Rebecca Lau 0, Melanie Feldman 0, Lauren Tompkison 0, Dara Tompkison 0, Cristen Aona 0, Shawna-Lei Kuehu 28, Mahina Macfarlane 0, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 5, Janelle Nomura 0, Sophie Merrifield 4, Chelsea Deptula 0, Devon Yamauchi 0. Totals 15 15-21 46. 3-point goals—Iolani 3 (Tokumura 3). Punahou 1 (Abe).

ILH DIVISION II

PUNAHOU 52, ST. FRANCIS 49

Arielle Daniels scored 16 points and Taila Autele added 12 as the Buffanblu beat the Troubadours in a playoff game. Punahou will play La Pietra at 3 p.m. today at Hanalani for the ILH DII title.

PUNAHOU (12-1) 14 10 13 15—52

ST. FRANCIS (11-2) 12 12 9 16—49

PUNAHOU—Megan Akamine 6, Aubrie Lau 0, Carly Wachi 1, Taila Autele 12, Sarah Aratani 0, Erin Moon 4, Erin Nagata 3, Pomai Stone 0, Yuree Nam 10, Arielle Daniels 16. Totals 22 7-15 52.

ST. FRANCIS—Nicole Perry 2, Kanani Perry 12, Danielle Tanaka 4, Bryanna Batts 11, Maile Kimura 6, Jaimie Iwashita 0, Kacee Coito 2, Siutiti Takai 12. Totals 21 6-9 49.

3-point goals—Punahou 1 (Nagata). St. Francis 1 (Tanaka).

Reported by Stu Matsunami

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.