By KEVIN JAKAHI Tribune-Herald sports writer ADVERTISING KEAAU — Kamehameha senior Shaylyn Kahawai had a satisfying season-opener on Wednesday night, but there’s still a hunger in her stomach. The 5-foot-6 forward provided a low-post scoring presence and tough interior defense,
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
KEAAU — Kamehameha senior Shaylyn Kahawai had a satisfying season-opener on Wednesday night, but there’s still a hunger in her stomach.
The 5-foot-6 forward provided a low-post scoring presence and tough interior defense, dropping 10 points to spark the Warriors to a 54-32 victory over Hilo in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls basketball game on Wednesday night at Koai’a Gym.
Freshman Riana Arima scored 14 points, including 10 in the second half, and Casey Poe added 11 and Shaila Apele had eight points to lead the Division II Warriors (1-0), the three-time defending BIIF champion and state runner-up to Radford last season.
Aliyah Pana scored 10 points, hitting three 3-pointers, while Chailey Cabalis and Sydnee Yokota had five points each to lead the Division I Vikings (0-1), who had a tough time in the ball-handling department, committing 33 turnovers, which led to 16 Kamehameha points.
Kahawai scored eight points in a dominant first half, which saw the Warriors reel off a 17-0 run bridging the two quarters while holding the shorter Viks scoreless for over 12 minutes.
Kamehameha’s suffocating man defense not only produced a ton of giveaways, but also pushed Hilo’s shooters to 3-point territory. The Vikings shot 23 percent (9 of 40), including 6 of 16 from long distance.
Meanwhile, the Warriors made a conscious effort to work the ball inside, running a high-low offense that found Kahawai and Apele open near the free-throw line. When the home team got fouled, the frequent result was a missed free throw. Kamehameha went 7 of 21 or 33 percent.
However, Kahawai, a four-year starter, saw a lot of positives in the first step of another BIIF and state title chase. She distinctly remembers the empty feeling losing to Radford and to Molokai as a freshman for the Division II state championship.
“I liked that we were patient on offense. We pushed the ball and kept the tempo and we never let up,” she said of Kamehameha’s 42 percent (22 of 52) shooting. “The difference between this team and the others is we’re faster. We can run the ball more and put pressure on the ball.
“Winning the state title is my No. 1 goal. We really want it big time. It’ll take hard work and we have to continue to get better. It’ll take a lot of teamwork and chemistry, so we’re all on the same page. I think we showed that tonight.”
In the junior-varsity game, it was Hilo 57, Kamehameha 27. H—Kayla Okimoto, 26 points, including eight 3-pointers.
Hilo 7 3 11 11 — 32
Kamehameha 13 12 13 16 — 54
In other BIIF season-opening games Wednesday night, it was:
* Konawaena 108, Kealakehe 11: At Kealakekua, Lia Galdeira scored 20 points and Makana Wall 19 to lead the Wildcats (1-0) to a lopsided victory. Hoku Liftee had 13 points, Courtney Kaupu 12, Dawnyelle Awa 11, Makayla Awa 10 and Taylor Awa nine in a balanced attack. Makana and Taylor Wall each had three treys as the hosts drilled eight in the game.
Taylor Mitchell and Anna DeSagun each scored four points to lead the Waveriders (0-1).
JV: Konawaena 29, Kealakehe 17.
Kealakehe 2 7 2 0 — 11
Konawaena 38 30 25 14 — 108
* Honokaa 61, HPA 57: At Waimea, Precious Chong scored 14 points and Hunter Liftee 12 to lead the Dragons (1-0).
Nani Lum scored 14 points a to lead the Ka Makani (0-1).
JV: Honokaa 55, HPA 34. Hon: Halana Makanani, 13. HPA: Tiana Reynolds, 18.
Honokaa 12 19 11 19 — 61
HPA 15 14 14 14 — 57
* Waiakea 60, Pahoa 18: At Waiakea, Alyssa Ferriera and Daven Naamohala-Roloos each scored 12 points to lead the Warriors (1-0).
Randi Berinobis scored 13 points to lead the Daggers (0-1).
Pahoa 4 4 3 7 — 18
Waiakea 20 20 9 11 — 60
* Keaau 47, Ka’u 22: At Keaau, Jacy Pagala scored 20 points and Randi Estrada 17 to lead the Cougars (1-0).
Shaylyn Navarro scored nine points and Taylor Pocock eight to lead the Trojans (0-1).
JV: Keaau 28, Ka’u 22. Keaau: Jasmine Degobia, 10. Ka’u: Danisha Navarro, 12.
Ka’u 6 6 3 7 — 22
Keaau 11 11 13 12 — 47
* Kohala 55, Laupahoehoe 15: At Kapaau, Kristine Antonio (13), Jovi Antonio (12) and Sheana Cazimero (10) scored in double figures to lead the Cowgirls (1-0).
Shyla Anderson scored seven points to lead the Seasiders (0-1).
Laupahoehoe 4 2 7 2 — 15
Kohala 20 8 8 19 — 55
Boys
* Kohala 49, Laupahoehoe 7: At Kapaau, Makani Kualii scored 10 points and Weston Cazimero nine to lead the Cowboys (1-0).
Collin Lodivera scored four points to lead the Seasiders (0-1).
Laupahoehoe 3 0 2 2 — 7
Kohala 22 14 9 4 — 49
Reporting results
Schools may report game results immediately following the boys and girls varsity contest by calling 930-7332, emailing sports@hawaiitribune-herald.com or faxing them to 961-3680.
Information should include varsity score by quarters and final score, high scorers from both teams with the first and last names, and the JV final score and high scorers.
Games that are reported before 9:45 p.m. will be published the following day; late reported games will be run when space is available.
According to the BIIF Handbook, host schools are responsible for reporting scores.
