Inexperience was nothing but small potatoes for Hilo, which put the defensive clamps on Honokaa in the girlschampionship of the Hilo High Holiday Prep Classic on Saturday night.
Inexperience was nothing but small potatoes for Hilo, which put the defensive clamps on Honokaa in the girlschampionship of the Hilo High Holiday Prep Classic on Saturday night.
In what felt more like a BIIF championship or HHSAA tournament game, the Vikings hammered the Dragons 38-22 atAfook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, earning a nice trophy for first-year coach Cliff Kawaha.
His niece Mandi Kawaha and Cherish Quiocho scored nine points each, Jamila Collins-Ebanez added seven, and SharryPagan had six points for the Vikings, who forced 18 turnovers and scored 15 points off giveaways.
Kawena Kaohimaunu scored eight points, and Apreal Ansagay added five points for the Dragons, who created 11 turnoversbut scored just six points off free gifts.
In the first half, both teams played tenacious defense, worked the clock for high-percentage shots, and refused to allow anytransition layups. Hilo led 12-8 at the break.
The Vikings squeezed the Dragon ball-handlers even harder in the second half and scored six layups in transition. Hiloraced back on defense and allowed zero layups for easy points.
Hilo reeled off a 14-0 run to start the fourth quarter, dropping in three straight layups (one by Kawaha and two by Pagan) tocap the scoring spurt.
“In the second half, we played tougher defense, created turnovers and got easy fastbreak buckets,” Cliff Kawaha said.“We’ve been pushing that, to work harder on defense.”
In their other preseason meeting, Hilo ran past Honokaa 40-23 at the Waiakea Invitational last month, scoring in transition,allowing few open looks, and showing smooth team chemistry despite being a new lineup.
Last season, Hilo relied on its veteran experience to wallop Honokaa 48-28 in the BIIF Division I semifinals but latergraduated four senior starters, leaving Mandi Kawaha to fend for herself under the first-year direction of Uncle Cliff.
Instead of rebuilding, it’s a reloading job for the Vikings, who welcomed their next wave of club players with two strongfreshmen in Mandi’s sister Mindy and Collins-Ebanez, a pair of Wahine Ryders. Senior starters Pagan and Quiocho are alsoWahine Ryders.
Hilo shot just 36 percent (13 of 36), including 50 percent (10 of 20) in the second half. Honokaa never found a rhythm witha hand in a shooter’s face all night and converted just 36 percent (8 of 22).
It was a nice moment when uncle Cliff and his nieces Mandi and Mindy, who went scoreless, held the first-place trophy.
“It felt good,” Mandi said. “But it’s only the preseason. We have to work harder to win the BIIF title.”
Uncle Cliff echoed the same blue-collar sentiment.
“It’s a good start,” he said.
Honokaa 3 5 8 6 — 22
Hilo 2 10 11 15 — 38
Third place
Waiakea 61, Kamehameha 22: This outcome was the surprise of the three-day tournament. Kamehameha has been aperennial BIIF Division II powerhouse, reaching states every year since 2005 and finishing second to Hawaii Baptist for thetitle last season.
In the BIIF Division I semifinals, Konawaena dominated Waiakea 60-19 last season. The Warriors haven’t been to statessince 2012 because the school’s surrounding feeder programs haven’t matched Hilo’s crop. (The Vikings have reachedstates the last four years.)
It was an encouraging sign for Waiakea first-year coach Brandon Kauhi that a couple of youngsters sparked the victory. Freshman Keeli-Jade Smith scored 11 points, sophomore Madison Hwang had eight, and senior Kryssie Okinaka addedseven points.
Saydee Aganus scored eight points, Jordyn Mantz added seven points (both junior guards are returning starters), and freshman guard Juliana Pakele had four points for Kamehameha, which missed a few starters due to the school’s winter ball.
Kamehameha 6 6 6 4 — 22
Waiakea 9 23 22 7 — 61
Fifth: Sacred Hearts 40, Keaau 23
Seventh: Waimea 42, Ka‘u 12
Boys championship
Kamehameha 51, Hilo 49: with 32.2 seconds left, the Vikings had three shots on two possession to tie or take the lead.They took a 3-pointer each time and missed all three attempts.
Solomon Escalante scored 16 points, Cullen Cariaga 13, and Cody Cook added 10 points for the Warriors, who shot 46percent (14 of 46) from the field and made 16 of 31 free throws.
Isaac Liu scored nine points, Lawrence Padasdao, Liko Medeiros and Kekaukahi Alameda each had seven points for the Vikings, who also converted 46 percent (14 of 46) from the floor and sank 18 of 25 free throws.
Kamehameha 9 10 15 17 — 51
Hilo 11 15 15 8 — 49
Third place
Kealakehe 69, Kohala 44: Bryton Lewi scored 21 points for the Waveriders, who finished 4-6 last season. Mark Franciscoscored 11 points, all on free throws, for the Cowboys.
Kealakehe 19 16 16 18 — 69
Kohala 7 12 9 16 — 44
Fifth: Honokaa 45, Keaau 39
Seventh: St. Joseph 55, Ka‘u 36