Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Kamehameha took care of business in the pool during Friday’s BIIF semifinals, setting up a juggernaut of a finale for the title.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Kamehameha took care of business in the pool during Friday’s BIIF semifinals, setting up a juggernaut of a finale for the title.
The top seeded Ka Makani dispatched No. 4 seed Konawaena 16-5 to advance to the title game. Hawaii Prep got goals from eight different players in the win and five from Janelle Laros.
Hawaii Prep opened up a 15-1 lead before Konawaena scored four late goals to narrow the margin of defeat. Aaliyah Butler and Porsha Brandt each had two goals for the Wildcats.
Kamehameha hasn’t missed a state tournament in over a decade, and assured a trip back with a 13-4 victory over No. 3 seed Kealakehe.
The Waveriders hung with the Warriors through two quarters — entering the break down only 3-2 — but the six-time defending champions picked up the pace in the second half, outscoring Kealakehe 10-2 the rest of the way.
Katelyn Kubo and Alyssa Pelanca each had four goals for Kamehameha.
The HHSAA tournament will be held at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Oahu from May 4-7.
Since the state tournament started in 2004, a team from the BIIF has never won a title. Hawaii Prep (2007) and Hilo (2005) each have third place finishes on their resumes — a best among Big Island squads. Kamehameha-Hawaii has had the most recent success, finishing fourth in 2011.
The ILH has been the golden standard for girls high school water polo in Hawaii, with the state crown never leaving the league. Punahou has won 10 times — including eight straight — while Kamehameha-Kapalama and Iolani each have a single state banner.
But the state tournament will have to wait, for now. Hawaii Prep and Kamehameha square off today at 10 a.m. at Kamehameha’s pool with the BIIF championship on the line.
Ka Makani went undefeated in the regular season and are seeking their first title since 2007. Kamehameha has won the last six, and seven of the last eight.
When the teams met in the regular season, Hawaii Prep took both games by a combined score of 35-14.