This changes everything.
Pahoa went to Keaau on Tuesday night and altered the playoff picture for both teams in their respective BIIF boys basketball divisions — a pair of win-or-go-home play-in games are a lot more likely now.
Damon Romero scored 26 points Tuesday night and the Daggers delivered in what was likely a must-win scenario, prevailing 55-53 at the Cougars’ gym.
“Win or go home, that was the mentality,” Pahoa coach Robert Clifford said. “We played the way we should have been all season. It’s a young team and they are still learning.”
Playing its final regular-season game, Pahoa (4-8), which also got 10 points from Jaydan Broad-Melander, moved a half-game ahead of Ka’u (3-9) in Division II. With the Trojans finishing with winless St. Joseph on Friday, a loss wasn’t something the Daggers could likely afford.
When the Cougars played man-to-man, Clifford said Romero was proficient when isolated and was effective in a two-man sets with Pahoa forward Paea Taliauli.
“(Damon) can take over if he wants to,” Clifford said, “he just has to have the right mindset, and we have to put him the right situations.
“In my opinion, he’s very hard to guard.”
Honokaa (4-6) beat Parker (2-8) 56-31 on Wednesday night to wrap up the third seed. The Bulls need to win their final two games the road (Keaau and Kamehameha) to remain alive.
A play-in game also could be in the offing in Division I after the Cougars (5-6) — despite 22 points from Patrick Mears — fell into fifth place, a half-game behind Kamehameha (5-5), which won its third in row Tuesday, 56-29 at St. Joe.
On Thursday, in Waimea the Warriors can take control of the No. 4 seed, but it will be tough against undefeated Hawaii Prep, and Kamehameha and Keaau each have home games remaining with Parker and high-scoring guard Conner Brown.
Kohala 56, Konawaena 46: There are no such playoff complications for the Cowboys, who keep on cruising after a road win in Kealakekua.
O’Shen Cazimero scored 19 points and Moses Emeliano and Koby Agbayani each added 10 for Kohala (10-1).
Ethan Neru led the Wildcats (6-4) with 16 points and Seth Mattos had 11. Konawaena is likely headed for a matchup against Hilo in the D-I semifinals.
Kamehameha 56, St. Joseph 29: Kaupena Yasso scored 13 points to lead the visiting Warriors, who led 20-10 at halftime.
Nathan Faletoi scored 10 for the Cardinals.