KAILUA-KONA — With the BIIF season knocking and a limited preseason schedule, Konawaena needed a learning experience for its remarkably young roster.
On Friday night at the Konawaena Invitational, the Wildcats got that and a little bit more against Lahainaluna, falling 61-52 in four overtimes, but exiting the instant classic against one of the state’s best with a lot to build on.
The final two minutes of regulation featured three lead changes before a late 3-pointer from Lahainaluna standout Susitina Namoa tied the game and a block by Konawaena’s Cailye Kaupu with one second left sent it to overtime.
That was just the start of the drama during a game that made everyone at Ellison Onizuka Gym miss their bedtimes.
Heroes weren’t hard to find during the four overtime periods, but the biggest buckets of the night belonged to Namoa, who hit a couple of 3-pointers that kept the game going and played most of the overtime periods with four fouls.
Namoa finished the contest with 41 points and went 23-of-28 from the free throw line. No other Luna was in double figures.
Konawaena freshman Kaliana Salazar-Harrell (14 points) was a close second in the clutch department. The freshman drilled a Steph Curry range 3-pointer with just seconds left to send the game to a third overtime and even guarded Namoa down the stretch, forcing a key turnover despite giving up a good chunk of size to the senior.
The game pitted two of the best bigs in the state against each other in Kaupu and Namoa — who coincidentally both wear the No. 33.
Kaupu fouled out in the third overtime, but scored a team-high 20 points for Konawaena and hauled in a horde of rebounds. She was also a perfect 9-for-9 on the night at the charity stripe.
Konawaena was not scared one bit to play its triplets lineup, which included freshmen Kayla Pak (4 points), Juliana Losalio-Watson (6 points) and Salazar-Harrell. They were on the floor for nearly the entire game and shined at different times.
The game adds another chapter to the friendly rivalry between the outerisland foes. The programs try to meet up in the preseason most years and faced off for the Division I state title in 2010 and ’15, with each team winning one.
Last year, the teams needed overtime to decide their preseason matchup, with the Lunas winning 44-42.
After clawing out of a first half hole, the Wildcats started to shift momentum late. In the fourth quarter, Jayla Medeiros hit a layup to pull the Wildcats within a point at 30-29, and shortly after, Kaupu stole a pass and layed the ball in to give Konawaena its first lead of the game with 2:29 left in regulation.
On the other end, Medeiros drew a charge on Namoa and momentum seemed to be on Konawaena’s side. But the Luna senior wasn’t ready to go home. Namoa got an open look off a screen and drilled a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to tie the game.
Konawaena turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, but Namoa’s potential game-winner was blocked by Kaupu with no time on the clock.
The overtimes were played like a chess match, each possession key. But with Kaupu and Medeiros fouling out, Lahainaluna simply had a little more left in the tank, pulling away in the fourth overtime period.
The final game of the tournament will serve as an unplanned championship of sorts, pitting Lahainaluna and Kalani against each other. Both teams are 2-0 at the tournament.
Konawaena and Hilo decided not to play at the preseason tourney, with the BIIF contenders scheduled to meet on Dec. 10 in the regular season.
In the opening game on Friday, Kalani beat Hilo 60-51.
The Wildcats have a bit of down time before the BIIF season begins on Monday against Ka‘u.
