Lānaʻi Girls Basketball Wins Fourth Straight MIL Championship

Pine Lasses advance to Division II state semifinals, marking deepest tournament run in program history.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Pine Lasses girls basketball team secured their fourth consecutive Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship and advanced to the Division II state semifinals, finishing fourth overall in the state tournament. Despite entering the season without a head coach, the team's championship pedigree and feeder program development carried them through the regular season and postseason.

Why it matters

Lānaʻi's girls basketball program has built a sustained culture of excellence, winning four straight MIL titles and making their deepest state tournament run. This success highlights the importance of strong youth development programs and the ability of a team to maintain high standards even through coaching transitions.

The details

The Pine Lasses entered the season without a head coach, but interim coach AJ Garbin was able to keep the team's championship routines and habits in place. Led by their experienced upperclassmen, Lānaʻi cruised through the MIL regular season schedule, with their only close games coming against rival Molokaʻi High School. In the MIL championship game, the Pine Lasses defeated Molokaʻi 49-38 to secure their fourth straight league title.

  • The Pine Lasses won the MIL championship game on February 25, 2026.
  • Lānaʻi defeated Kohala 49-43 in the Division II state quarterfinals on February 5, 2026.
  • Lānaʻi lost to Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy 43-17 in the Division II state semifinals on February 6, 2026.
  • Lānaʻi lost to Waimea of Kauaʻi 63-32 in the Division II state third-place game on February 7, 2026.

The players

AJ Garbin

The interim head coach who took over the Pine Lasses program this season and maintained the team's championship culture.

MaryLou Kaukeano

The leader of the Haka Kahiki feeder program that has developed players through the middle school ranks and prepared them for the varsity team.

Christian Yumol

The co-leader of the Haka Kahiki feeder program that has developed players through the middle school ranks and prepared them for the varsity team.

Chant'e Sproat

An assistant coach who helped communicate instructions and keep players composed during tight stretches.

Kiona Siliga

An assistant coach who helped communicate instructions and keep players composed during tight stretches.

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What they’re saying

“If you set the standards high, they follow it. They don't slack off.”

— AJ Garbin, Interim Head Coach (lanaitoday.com)

“I think the championship game was our biggest adversity. As a coach, you're on the sideline. You can't play the game for them. You have to give them the right information and trust them to carry it out.”

— AJ Garbin, Interim Head Coach (lanaitoday.com)

“It's a different level at states. The speed, the physical play, the discipline. You have to execute every possession. The girls didn't quit. They kept competing. That's something they can carry with them.”

— AJ Garbin, Interim Head Coach (lanaitoday.com)

What’s next

The Pine Lasses will look to build on their successful season and make another deep run in the 2027 Division II state tournament.

The takeaway

Lānaʻi's girls basketball program has established a culture of excellence through a strong youth development pipeline and the ability to maintain high standards even during coaching transitions. Their fourth straight MIL title and deepest state tournament run in program history demonstrate the power of building a winning tradition.