Kamehameha has come to expect big efforts from senior Nalu Kahapea, and going forward the same might be said of freshman Koby Tabuyo-Kahele.
Both players came up big Saturday as the Warriors survived a game effort from Hawaii Prep to remain undefeated. Kahapea scored 18 points and Tabuyo-Kahele added 14 as Kamehameha broke open a BIIF boys basketball game that was tied after three quarters at Koaia Gym in Keaau to win 62-49 and improve to 5-0 heading into its game at Hilo on Tuesday.
“I think we were more patient in our half-court sets and we limited them to one contested shot,” coach Mea Wong said. “I don’t think we gave up one contested shot in the fourth quarter.”
Spurred by Tabuyo-Kahele, Kamehameha outscored Ka Makani (1-2) 24-11 during the final eight minutes. Wong said Tabuyo-Kahele came up with a big steal and fed Kahapea for layup and also put back an offensive rebound to help the Warriors pull away.
“He does what he did last night in practice, so we knew he had it in him,” Wong said. “Last night he played with more confidence.
“We tell him just be aggressive and good things will come.”
Entering the second full week of the season, five of the six teams in Division I feature winning records. Kamehameha is game ahead of Keaau (4-1), while the Vikings are 3-1.
Kamehameha and Hilo didn’t play during the preseason, but Wong got an upclose look at the Vikings and point guard Kekaukahi Alameda at the Punahou Invitational, where Alameda hit a pair of game-winning jumpers.
“Good point guard who is smart, quick and really aggressive,” Wong said. “If you get into their pace and get up and down with them, it could be a long night.
“We definitely want to take advantage of half-court sets.”
HPA, which led 24-23 at halftime, has a big week as well as it looks to make up ground in the Division II race. It hosts Kohala (3-1) on Monday, travels to face Hilo on Thursday, then heads to Honokaa (3-1) on Saturday in a rematch of last season’s D-II title game.
“HPA is really good,” Wong said, “and really well coached. It was a really good basketball team between two good teams.”
Honokaa 53, Pahoa 34: Kamuela Spencer-Herring scored 15 points and Kolten Carvalho finished 12 with as the visiting Dragons won their third consecutive game.
Damon Romero led the Daggers (2-2) with 16 points and Lansen Aranaydo had 14.
Honokaa led 11-4 after the first quarter and finished strong, outscoring Pahoa 20-10 in the fourth.
Waiakea 79, St. Joseph 35: Rekky Prudencio scored 23 points at Hilo Civic, and Kiai Apele (13) and Peter Suiaunoa (11) also reached double figures as the Warriors (3-2) rolled.
Siam Thomas led the Cardinals (0-2) with 12.
Ka’u 60, Laupahoehoe 10: Masen Dacalio scored 13 points in Pahala and Janslae Badua had 10 as the Trojans (1-3) outscored the Seasiders (0-5) 30-5 in each half.
Girls
Kohala 57, Kealakehe 35: Kiana Kauka scored 15 points in Kapaau and the Cowgirls ended a three-game losing streak.
Kohala (4-3) took control early, leading 38-16 at halftime, to solidify their playoff status in Division II.
Sira-Claire Hauanio scored 10 points for the Waveriders (0-4).
Boys – Friday
Kohala 65, Parker 47: Maui Hook scored 16 in Kapaau for the Cowboys (3-1), who are tied for first place with Honokaa entering their game Monday at HPA.
After trailing 30-25 at halftime, Kohala did it with offense in the third quarter (26 points), then the Cowboys shut out the Bulls (0-4) in the fourth quarter.
One night after leaving a game against HPA with an injury, Conner Brown led all scorers with 23 for Parker.
Soccer
Hawaii Prep boys 2, Hilo 1: Ka Makani remained the BIIF’s last unbeaten, getting a go-ahead goal from Conor Hunt with about 10 minutes remaining Saturday.
Jack Mann scored for the Vikings (4-3), while David Welch-Keliihoomalu scored for HPA (7-0-0), which hadn’t played a match since Dec. 20.
“We’ve been missing a big portion of our team for a while, so different guys are stepping up,” HPA coach Rich Braithwaite said.
Kamehameha 8, Makua Lani 0: David Erskine recorded a hat trick andJonathan DeMotta tallied two goals and three assists as the Warriors overwhelmed the visiting Lions.
Nainoa Kalaola Maruquin and Rylan Respicio each had a goal and an assist. Logan Waltjen also scored and Tyler Waltjen registered two assists.
Keaau 7, Pahoa 0: Daniel Vierra, Rico Handy and Zane Von Guilder scored two goals apiece to power the host Cougars.
Christian Mamone also scored and Alex Castro collected the shutout.
Girls
Kamehameha 8, Makua Lani 0: Nanea Delestrico, Chenoa Frederick and Hevani Haunga each scored two goals for the host Warriors, who also got goals from Hiwa Brown and Hiilei Wong Yuen.