The Kalani girls’ basketball team finished at the top of the Oahu Interscolastic Association (OIA) Eastern division with a stellar 10-0 regular-season record. Undefeated against all divisional opponents, the Lady Falcons established themselves as the team to beat on the east side. Their most thrilling victory came against Moanalua on the Na Menehune’s senior night, with the game ending 49-46, with Kalani winning.
Senior forward and team leader Isabelle Baker (12) averaged 6.1 points per game during the 2025–26 season and played a crucial role in the OIA semifinals, where she got 6 points and tied for a team-high 10 rebounds to help lead Kalani to the championship game.
“We were down by two points, but one of our guards hit huge free throws that gave us the lead by one point,” Isabelle Baker (12) says. “Then I grabbed the final rebound to secure the win; it was a surreal moment.”
This season’s success helped establish a new legacy for the program, setting a high standard for the years to come. This transformation was fueled not only by the dedication of the players and coaches but also by the unwavering support from the Kalani community.
“I truly believe we helped change the Kalani girls’ basketball program in many ways, and the support we received throughout the season meant so much,” Baker adds.
The culture surrounding the team is unique. The competitiveness and passion required to play at this level are unlike any other experience. Whether it is the internal drive to push toward greatness or the encouragement of supporters along the journey, that collective energy proved important to the team’s success.
Throughout the season, the players learned to channel both positive and negative factors into fuel on the court.
“The haters motivate me because I want to prove them wrong, but I’m mostly playing for my family and for God,” freshman standout Jordin Baker (9) says.
Jordin Baker led the team and OIA D1 in scoring during her freshman season, averaging an impressive 19.4 points per game in league play and totaling 340 points overall with 28 successful three-pointers.
The Lady Falcons’ roster is defined by its versatility; the players are quick to adjust on every play. The postseason brought an even higher level of competition as the team faced the physical powerhouses of the west side.
“My biggest challenge was adjusting to the different physicality we faced during the playoffs,” Angel Stephenson (10) explains (10). Stephenson averaged 6.5 points per game and was a key player in the playoffs.
The Lady Falcons’ hard work carried them all the way to the OIA Division I Championship game, where they faced Campbell High School for the title. They were down by 14 points at the end of the first quarter and by 11 at halftime, but rallied in the second half. They scored 13 points to Campbell’s 8 in the 3rd quarter, and the game became an intense, nerve-wracking battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The Sabers eventually won 39-26, and the Falcons secured an impressive second-place finish in the league.
In the opening round of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) State Championships, they faced Radford again. Stephenson notably recorded 12 rebounds and 4 assists in Kalani’s 47-31 victory, but the team lost to Kamehameha Kapalama in the quarterfinals.
This 2025-26 season, Kalani girls’ basketball cemented its place in the school’s history, earning a reputation as the undefeated “East Side” powerhouse. With many returning underclassmen, the team is already looking forward to an even stronger 2026–2027 season.
“I’m really excited to continue playing at Kalani,” Jordin Baker says. “Next year I just want to go in, play my hardest, and get first place.”
What does the future hold for the Lady Falcons? Only time will tell, but the foundation for greatness has been laid.
