Ms. Basketball: Strong will helped Malia Nawahine lead team to perfect season

“They’d only won six games over three years,” he said of that San Diego team. “They could have two eighth-graders and they took her and her cousin. They moved her to point guard. ... And that year they went undefeated. She’s had two undefeated seasons — that year and this year.”

He watched his daughter inspire those around her to work harder, compete with more intensity and take care of each other.

“I saw elements of that this year,” Nawahine said.

Warner said she’d have a hard time singling out what Nawahine’s greatest strength is athletically.

“I don’t know if you can pinpoint just one athletic strength,” Warner said. “She does everything. She’s so versatile. She can shoot, get to the basket, jump out of the gym, get rebounds — she just overall is a great athlete.”

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