KAILUA-KONA – Another game, another blowout for the Konawaena girls basketball team.
On Wednesday, the Kealakehe Waveriders became the latest victim of the Wildcats’ high-tempo attack, falling on their home court by a score of 79-9. While it was a tough draw as Kealakehe’s season opener, head coach Shawna-Lei Kuehu hopes her team is able to learn from Wednesday’s loss.
“Seeing what good competition looks like,” said Kuehu when asked what she wants her team to take away from the game. “Being able to come in and work just as hard every day in practice so that one day our program does look like that.”
The Wildcats got off to another blistering start, scoring the games first 24 points. By halftime, Konawaena led 42-2. The big lead allowed Konawaena to again get experience for their bench and JV players.
“Some of them have never played the sport before; some, it’s their first basketball game ever,” said Konawaena co-head coach Dawnyelle Awa. “It’s good for them to get experience before they play a JV team on their own without varsity help.”
The Wildcats’ Kaliana Salazar-Harrell led the way with 30 points, while teammates Braelyn Kauhi (15 points) and Kayla Pak (10) also broke into double-digits on the scoreboard. Kylea Medeiros led Kealakehe with four points.
Both teams will be back on the hardcourt Friday night. Konawaena (2-0 BIIF) will travel to Waiakea (2-0), while Kealakehe (0-1) is scheduled to square off in another home game against Keaau (0-2).
Konawaena 27 15 14 23 – 79
Kealakehe 2 0 2 5 – 9
Scoring
Konawaena: Salazar-Harrell 30 points, Kauhi 15, Pak 10, Hao 9, Losalio-Watson 6, Tuifua 4, James 3, Kihe 2
Kealakehe: Medeiros 4 points, Haleamau 3, Delos Santos 2
Boys basketball
Kamehameha 56, Keaau 26: Kiai Yasso scored 16 points and Kalen Guerrero added 11 as the Warriors opened their season with an easy road win.
Kamehameha, the defending BIIF D-I champion, jumped out to a 27-10 halftime lead after holding the Cougars (0-2) to just two points in the first quarter.
Rayden DeMello scored eight points to lead Keaau.
Ka’u at Waiakea: The teams’ openers were postponed because of COVID-19 protocols
Boys soccer
Kamehameha 8, Parker 0: Elijah Dinkel and Poikeao Roback each netted hat tricks as the Warriors opened their season with a home win.
Kenui Kalaola-Maruquin and Lucas Kay-Wong also scored, and Kenui and Jacob Aiona shared time in goal against the Bulls (0-2).
Kealakehe 10, Keaau 0: Mathew Enriquez recorded his second three-goal game as the Waveriders improved to 2-1 with a win at the Cougars’ stadium.
Duke Becker collected the shutout against Keaau (0-2).
Friday, Jan. 7
Makua Lani 9, Parker 0: Kaelele Fernandez scored four goals in Kailua-Kona to power the Lions.
Nuuhiwa Beatty scored twice for Makua Lani (2-0), and Justice Reid and Owen Sadhra-Corks tacked on goals along with Kawaihua Paikuli Campbell, who tallied his third of the season. Judson Veisauyadra collected his second shutout of the season.
