By KEVIN JAKAHI By KEVIN JAKAHI ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald sports writer HONOLULU — Kamehameha-Hawaii was hanging around against its bigger sister, trailing by one goal with seven minutes remaining. Then Kamehameha-Kapalama relied on its experience, scoring four times in the fourth
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
HONOLULU — Kamehameha-Hawaii was hanging around against its bigger sister, trailing by one goal with seven minutes remaining.
Then Kamehameha-Kapalama relied on its experience, scoring four times in the fourth quarter to topple the Big Island Warriors 11-6 in the quarterfinals of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association water polo championships on Thursday at UH’s Duke Kahanamoku pool.
Sydney Plunkett scored four goals and Kiana Krzyska and Paula Imoto had one each for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Warriors (12-1).
Brittney Garrigan scored four goals, Cierra Hill two and Madison Kauahi, Hiipoi Lee, Kiana Yamashiro, Chelsea Apo, Kayla Ganir and Kawena Bikle one each for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Warriors (5-5).
Plunkett and Garrigan matched each other. Both scored one goal in the first quarter and three in the second. Kamehameha is undefeated in BIIF play over the last three seasons. But that didn’t mean all that much, especially when the fourth quarter rolled around.
Krzyska got her goal in the third, cutting the score to 7-6. Then the offense dried up in the final seven minutes. It was a long and lonely fourth period for the BIIF Warriors’ offense.
Garrigan was shut down, but four different Kapalama players stepped up. Bikle, Apo, Kauahi and Hill took turns extinguishing the hopes of little sister.
“It’s all about experience. In the BIIFs we don’t have games where we have to pull it out in the fourth quarter,” Kamehameha-Hawaii coach Dan Lyons said. “That’s our weakness and it showed. We played our best and I feel proud. But it’s not on the players. We have to figure out a way to get the required experience to play at this level.”
It was a fast-paced game and the Oahu Warriors had the type of depth that not only showed in the team scoring, but also in racing back on defense to plug shooting lanes. Big sister didn’t give an inch.
“We got tired and they got everybody back on defense,” Lyons said. “They’re experienced and took advantage of every mistake.
“But I’m proud of where the girls have brought the program. We lose great players and play stronger the next year. We just have to figure out how to get more experience.”
In consolation games today, Waiakea plays Baldwin at 3 p.m. and Kamehameha-Hawaii plays Kaiser at 4:30 p.m.
