Only a few members of the Konawaena girls basketball team have state tournament experience, including seniors Kaliana Salazar-Harrell, Kayla Pak, and Juliana Losalio-Watson and junior Braelyn Kauhi.
That core four Wildcats fell to Iolani by nine points for the Division I state title in 2020, and they still play with that same type of championship intensity two years later. Konawaena relied on that experience and 3-point shooting to defeat Waiakea 47-32 in a BIIF showdown Friday night at the Warriors Gym.
Salazar-Harrell sank four 3-pointers and scored 20 points, Pak swished three 3-balls and had 13 points, and Kauhi added 10 points for the Wildcats (3-0), who finished with 16 turnovers and led 20-14 at halftime.
No one could stop Waiakea’s Avery Snyder on her drives to the basket. The 5-foot-7 sophomore forward scored 15 points and sophomore guard Jolie Mantz hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points for the Warriors (4-1), who had 17 turnovers and often broke Kona’s press and scored.
“We did a lot of good things,” Waiakea coach Alika Smith said. “That’s a good team over there. They play year-round, but we showed signs of resilience, and we cut it to 28-24. But we couldn’t get those 50-50 balls, and when they hit 3s that’s devastating. Four losses balls they kicked it out. Those six 3s that’s a huge advantage.”
The Warriors – who ended Konawaena’s 10-year BIIF reign in 2019 – are still in good shape to claim the league’s second spot to states after beating depleted Kamehameha 35-26 on Tuesday. Kamehameha, who had no bench players, figures to get significantly better.
Waiakea’s next big test is against Hilo on Friday, Jan, 28 at home. The Vikings play at Konawaena on Saturday, Jan. 22.
In a turtle-like first quarter pace, Kona outscored Waiakea 7-3, behind 3-pointers from Pak and Salazar-Harrell.
The Warriors outscored the Wildcats 8-7 in the second quarter, behind Mantz’ second 3-ball. Snyder followed with a bucket to get Waiakea within 20-14.
In the third quarter, Snyder dominated the paint. She raced to the rim in transition, and either scored or got fouled. She scored seven straight points to cut Kona’s lead to 28-24 with 3:15 left.
Snyder hit 2 of 2 free throws, beat the defense down the court and scored and drew a foul. She buried the free throw for a three-point play, and followed with two more free throws. Snyder went 5 of 6 on free throws.
“When we’re under control and making the correct pass, we’re pretty good at breaking presses,” Smith said. “We played hard, and I’m proud of that, and fought to the end. We’re trying to get better for the next game. What better way than to play them? We have to highlight the things we did well and work on the things we didn’t.”
Salazar-Harrell hit back-to-back 3-pointers to sandwich Ava Santos’ bucket on a putback. Then Salazar-Harrell stuck another dagger in Waiakea with a 3-ball for a 38-26 lead with five seconds left.
Snyder dismantled Kona’s press with a layup in transition to start the fourth quarter, where the Wildcats buried 6 of 6 free throws to ice the game.