All BIIF athletes and coaches have had to remain patient while navigating their seasons amid a pandemic, but extra credit goes out to Ka’u’s boys basketball team. It had been waiting around to play the longest.
The Trojans finally hit the court for the first time Monday night in Pahala, hanging with Hawaii Prep for three quarters before the Ka Makani pulled away for a 64-46 victory.
Tre Walker scored 21 points and Bear Wawner added 12 for HPA (2-1), which watched a six-point first-quarter lead cut to three by halftime. Leading by seven entering the fourth quarter, Ka Makani finished with a 19-8 flurry. Braeden Samura finished with 10 points and Sam Landers had eight.
After a series of COVID-19 postponements, Kaimana Kaupu-Manini and Jonah Beck made the most of their wait, scoring 12 points and 10, respectively for Ka’u. Jocyiah Mukini, Cyrus Eder and Jensen Villa had six apiece.
Hilo 65, Pahoa 23: Peyton Pana 13 scored 13 points and Rayson Padilla has 10 as the Vikings (4-1) coasted at home.
Kukui Ahin-Ganir led the Daggers (1-2) with seven points.
Girls
Hawaii Prep 51, Honokaa 21: Kyana Brucelas scored 15 points and Brooke Samura added 13 asKa Makani went down the road to beat the rival Dragons, improving to 5-0.
Kristen Ragasa led Honokaa (1-2) with nine points, but HPA thrived with balance. Kaila Kaahu chipped in nine points and Ali Wawner had eight.
All seven teams from Division II will make the postseason. HPA has a first-round bye and will host a semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 8. Honokaa is vying with Kohala (2-4) for the West’s second seed, which would host a playoff game Monday, Feb. 7.
Saturday
Boys
Hawaii Prep 43, Honokaa 35: Tre Walker scored 24 points in Waimea as Ka Makani went on a 10-4 third-quarter run to win a game that was tied 21-21 at the half.
Kinohi Lindsey scored 19 points for the Dragons (0-2), who led 12-7 after the first quarter.
Waiakea 47, Kealakehe 38: The Warriors (2-1) won on the road as the Waveriders fell to 0-3.
Girls
Ka’u 39, Pahoa 36: Heidi Vidal scored 16 points and Tyra Wong-Yuen added 10 in Pahala as the Trojans rallied in the fourth quarter for their first win.
Florie Mei Tagabi scored 26 for the Daggers (2-4), who put up 20 points in the second quarter and led 27-20 at the break. But Ka’u (1-6) allowed just nine points in the second half and outscored Pahoa 11-4 in the fourth.
Grace Smith had six for the Trojans.