Ka’ena Tagabi got Honokaa’s girls basketball team over the hump after a lot of heavy lifting was put in by Saige Tabac and Kristen Ragasa.
Tagabi scored 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter Monday night as the Dragons made up a seven-point deficit to edge Christian Liberty 58-57 at Honokaa Armory.
Tabac added 17 points and Ragasa had 14 as the Dragons (3-3) retained their hold on second place in BIIF Division II.
“Kristin and Saige kept us in the game,” coach Domanic Tagabi said. “(Ka’ena) stepped up big.”
It wasn’t the firsst time.
Ka’ena Tagabi has scored 69 points in her team’s three wins, reaching 20 points five times overall.
The Canefire (1-6) continue to be competitive in their first varsity season. Kassey Hanoa led the way with 20 points, and Brooke Perreira and Kamille-Febo Santiago added 15 and 14, respectively.
Honokaa built its lead to four in the final minute before Christian Liberty hit a late 3-pointer.
“They came out very strong,” Domanic Tagabi said. “Quick, good shooters.”
Christian Liberty plays at Hawaii Prep (1-4) on Thursday in Waimea in a game that will help determine which team draws the fourth and final playoff spot.
Waiakea 68, Kamehameha 25: Kelsie Imai scored 16 points and Keeli-Jade Smith and Jazelle Dorser each had 10 as Waiakea coasted to victory Monday at Koaia Gym.
Sarah Schubert scored 16 points for Kamehameha (5-2), which trailed 29-15 at halftime and scored only four points in the third to fall behind by 32.
Hilo 63, Keaau 19: Kiani Midel led the way with 16 points, and Keirstyn Agonias and Tatiana Rideout each tallied 11 in an easy home win for the Vikings (6-2).
Anela Gonzalez-Tremaine led the Cougars (4-3) with seven points.
Tuesday
Konawaena 99, Ka’u 5: Kaliana Salazar-Harrell scored 27 points in Pahala as the unbeaten Wildcats came within a point of their second triple-digit game.
Four other players reached double figures for Konawaena (7-0): Jayla Medeiros (18 points), Caiyle Kaupu (16), Kayla Pak (15) and Braelyn Kauhi (10).
It’s the third time this season the Wildcats have reached 90 points, and it’s also the third time they’ve held an opponent in single figures.