12:54 amBy now the Molina sisters are used to hoarding the postseason awards. On Sunday, Konawaena junior Cherilyn Molina was named the 2016-17 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
12:54 amBy now the Molina sisters are used to hoarding the postseason awards. On Sunday, Konawaena junior Cherilyn Molina was named the 2016-17 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Molina is the third Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Konawaena High. She joins sister and three time winner of the award Chanelle Molina (2015-16, 2014-15, & 2013-14), as well as Dawnyelle Awa (2011-12) as school winners.
She also joins Aliyah Pana (2012-13, Hilo High School) and Kanisha Bello (2008-09, Waiakea High School) as Big Island winners.
Now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month, Molina joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners, including Maya Moore (2005-06, Collins Hill HS, Georgia), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Illinois) and Lisa Leslie (1988-89, Morningside HS, California).
The 5-foot-5 junior guard led the Wildcats to a 28-3 record and their third straight Division I state title this past season. Molina averaged 15 points, 6.1 assists and 4.3 steals per game, including a team-high 14 points in a 53-48, title-clinching win over Maryknoll.
A First Team All-State selection and the Most Outstanding Player of the Division I state tournament, she has boosted Konawaena to a record 104 consecutive wins in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.
Molina has volunteered locally on behalf of her school’s student-leadership program and as a youth basketball coach and scorekeeper.
“Cherilyn Molina definitely was instrumental in helping her team win the state tournament with her individual and leadership skills,” said Angel Kalehuawehe, head coach at Baldwin High. “Being poised on the court under different pressured situations is an asset she possesses with confidence.”
Molina has maintained a 3.81 GPA in the classroom.
Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support.