By KEVIN JAKAHI Tribune-Herald sports writer ADVERTISING KEAAU — The only thing Waiakea senior Ciera Pacheco and her teammates didn’t do well was shoot free throws. Other than that, everything else was all golden, especially a tenacious defense that dominated
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
KEAAU — The only thing Waiakea senior Ciera Pacheco and her teammates didn’t do well was shoot free throws. Other than that, everything else was all golden, especially a tenacious defense that dominated the night.
The Warriors put on a defensive clinic with 1-2-2 and 2-3 zones, shackling Kamehameha into 21 percent shooting in a 38-27 victory in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls basketball game Tuesday night at Koai’a Gym.
Waiakea’s defense pitched a shutout in the first quarter and allowed a single free throw in the third period in a showdown between two teams with the same nickname. The two also share similar weapons, mostly quickness and athleticism, particularly the ability to turn on the jets in transition.
Pacheco scored 15 points, most on weaving layups, and Daven Namohala-Roloos added eight, Sefulu Faavae six and Alyssa Ferreira five to lead the Division I Warriors (3-0), who worked hard for good looks to finish with 46 percent (17 of 37) shooting.
Casey Poe finished with 11 points and Keana Kaohimaunu had five and Chelsea Poe and Riana Arima added four each to lead the Division II Warriors (2-1), who went 1 of 12 from 3-point territory.
Both teams had a tough time at the free-throw line. Waiakea was 7 of 20, and Kamehameha went 9 of 17. But that mattered little because defense took center stage with both teams pressing ball-handlers and looking for turnovers. Waiakea had 20 giveaways and the home team had 16 turnovers.
Waiakea took a 16-14 halftime lead, built on 12 Kamehameha turnovers, which were converted into eight points. The host team’s ball-handling was much better in the second half with just five giveaways. But the Division II Warriors just couldn’t hit shots, despite putting an emphasis on working the ball inside for high-percentage looks.
Then the Division I Warriors opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run, showcasing their transition game. In the middle of the spurt, Ferreira outhustled the defense for a layup. On the next play, she outraced everyone again then fed Namohala-Roloos for a layup and a 24-14 lead.
Timeout, Kamehameha. But the Warriors were already red-hot and rolling.
“I thought we started slow, but in the second half we came out with a little bit more heart and teamwork,” Pacheco said. “We were talking on defense. That’s the main thing. This year our main thing is we want to get up the court as quick as we can. I think we’re getting better at that.”
Waiakea 8 8 11 11 — 38
Kamehameha 0 14 1 12 —27
* Hilo 47, Keaau 26: At Keaau, Chaley Cabalis scored 19 points and Sidney Yokota 11 to lead the Division I Vikings (1-1).
Randi Estrada scored 13 points to lead the Division I Cougars (0-2).
JV: Hilo 51, Keaau 11. Hilo: Kanoe Brickwood, 24; Kayla Okimoto, 10; Shawn Mori, 10. Keaau: Sisilia Masima, 7.
Hilo 16 14 11 6 — 47
Keaau 7 4 7 9 — 26
* Konawaena 58, Honokaa 23: At Kealakekua, Lia Galdeira scored 15 points, Courtney Kaupu 13 and Dawnyelle Awa nine to lead the Division I Wildcats (3-0).
Shemika Frazier scored seven points to lead the Division II Dragons (2-1).
JV: Honokaa 55, Konawaena 35. Hon: Wynnie Vaoga, 16; Chasity Mickel, 14; Halana Bertelmann-Makanani, 11. Kona: Zoe Acdal, 13; Mikela Mercier, 10.
Honokaa 4 5 5 9 — 23
Konawaena 20 18 12 8 — 58
* Kealakehe 51, Laupahoehoe 30: At Laupahoehoe, Anna DeSagun scored 14 points to lead the Division I Waveriders (0-2).
Vanistie Batin scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the Division II Seasiders (0-2).
Kealakehe 13 12 9 17 — 51
Laupahoehoe 12 3 10 5 — 30
* Hawaii Prep 47, Kohala 38: At Waimea, Leahi Lindsey scored 18 points and Nani Lum and Chancis Fernandez 11 apiece to lead the Division II Ka Makani (2-1).
Kristine Antonio scored 15 points to lead the Division II Cowgirls (1-1).
JV: HPA 44, Kohala 24. HPA: Tiana Reynolds, 18; Ula Brostek, 10. Koh: Eloisa Viernes-Obero, 10.
Kohala 9 16 1 12 — 38
HPA 11 17 11 8 — 47
Boys
* Kealakehe 59, Laupahoehoe 19: At Laupahoehoe, Psalm Wooching scored 12 points and Jacob Ontiveros 10 to lead the Division I Waveriders (1-2).
Lexton Silva scored seven points to lead the Division II Seasiders (0-3).
Kealakehe 16 20 14 9 — 59
Laupahoehoe 4 6 3 6 — 19
