KEAAU – Ava Jean Johnston gushed about Hawaii Prep’s past, and she’s raved about Ka Makani’s future.
She didn’t cover the present, but with players like her around, its certainly praiseworthy as well.
HPA’s water polo team got in several dry runs during a preseason tournament on Oahu, and it looked in midseason form Saturday for the season-opening slate of BIIF games. Johnston scored five of her six goals in the first half and Ka Makani coasted past Hilo 18-3.
“Every year, we start with an emphasis on skills and tactics and see what we can do with it,” coach Greg McKenna said.
Against the Vikings, Ka Makani turned it into a surge of counter-attacking to create quality scoring chances.
Goalkeeper Chloe Lautalo played admirably for Hilo, but she was lucky when it was only one HPA player breaking in all alone on her. Sometimes, Lautalo faced two or three HPA attackers by herself.
“A lot of us are varsity swimmers,” said Johnston, a senior co-captain. “I think our speed and swim ethic has helped us a lot.
“It was just great to hop back in the season and be with all of our new players.”
Janelle Laros scored two early goals on her way to a hat trick, and Sarah Houser also netted three goals for Hawaii Prep, which was back at Naeole Pool after ending the 2016 BIIF season there on a sour note.
Usually BIIF runner-up is good enough considering Kamehameha’s prowess, but HPA was the dominant team last year. It swept the Warriors during the regular season, entered the league final undefeated and jumped out to an early lead. One thing led to another, and HPA was left staring at a double-overtime loss as Kamehameha celebrated its seventh title in a row.
But there is no looking back for Ka Makani. Or, as Johnston said, “There is no future in the past.”
As for the present?
“We’re lucky this year in that we have a lot of returning players,” McKenna said, “but we’ve got a lot of young players who are rising up to fill roles and others who are chomping at the bit.
“It’s an exiting time.”
Three starters are back, and Ka Makani is bolstered by enthusiastic new contributors
“Their drive is crazy,” Johnston said. “They have so much fire under the butts.”
HPA is more than covered in the speed department, thanks in part to a pair of decorated BIIF swimmers, Kira Parker (two goals Saturday) and Taylor Doherty (one).
Nyah Lacro’s goal for Hilo early in the second quarter broke HPA’s six-goal spurt to start the game and drew a nice cheer from the crowd. Lokelani Ferreira and Emma Laliberte also found the net as Hilo trailed 12-3 at halftime.
Every player on Ka Makani’ bench got into the match. Angelique Allison, Jazzy Buereno and Sammy Sponer also had goals.
Along with Johnston, the other senior co-captains – Allison, Doherty and Laros – will try to fill the leadership void left by the graduation of Louisa Duggan.
‘We’re kind of catching up to Louisa, because all of our seniors last year were amazing and really paved the way for us,” Johnston said. “All of the girls are working so hard this season to be at the level we are all striving for.”
For HPA, that can only mean a BIIF title.
Waiakea 8, Konawaena 6
In one of the best games of the day, Jhante Iga scored her third goal of the match late in the third quarter to provide the go-ahead score for the Warriors, who also got two tallies from Reina Kuwaye-Tamahana (1-1).
After spoiling Keaau’s first pool party, the Wildcats also dropped to 1-1. Jalen Gambee notched three goals.
Kealakehe 10, Waiakea 7
Skyler Hudson found the net four times as the Waveriders (1-1) scored the last six goals of the match. Chloe Smith scored two of her three goals in the fourth quarter.
Kelee Shimizu recorded a hat trick for Waiakea.
Kamehameha 15, Kealakehe 6
Emma Kanoa and Lehala Rosario each poured in four goals for the Warriors (2-0), and Cassidy Farias and Aubrey Carter added three apiece.
Maiana Villegas led the Waveriders with three goals.
Konawaena 23, Keaau 2
The Wildcats gave the Cougars a tough debut in the sport, with Jalen Gambee scoring five times. Konawaena got goals from 12 different players, including three by Riley Walters.
Kamehameha 16, Keaau 1
Emma Kanoa posted her second four-goal match as the Warriors put a wrap on the day. Kaysha Kahai-Enos scored a hat trick.
