Hilo 54 – Kea‘au 15
The Vikings’ boys varsity basketball squad dusted the home standing Cougars 54-15 on Thursday night at the Kea‘au High gymnasium.
This was Hilo’s fifth straight win, advancing their regular-season BIIF record to 4-0 and overall record to 6-1.
The Vikings held Kea‘au to no more than five points per frame, outscoring the Cougars 19-5 in the first quarter, 16-2 in the second, 10-4 in the third and 9-4 in the fourth.
Peyton Pana led the way for Hilo — as usual — with 17 points. Ikena Leao put up nine points, and nine other Vikings were able to score points throughout the outing.
Thayne Nakoa led Kea‘au with six points.
Hilo will be back in action at 6 p.m. Monday, with a cross-town matchup against St. Joseph School (0-2) at the UH-Hilo gymnasium.
Now 1-1 in BIIF play and 2-2 overall, the Cougars will have nearly two weeks of down time before their next matchup — a road test on Dec. 27 at Konawaena High (currently 0-1 BIIF, 2-5 ovr.).
JV Score: Hilo wins 40-31. Top scorers: Tre Palmerston (Hilo) 21 points, Nyson Cabreros (Kea‘au) six points.
KS-Hawai‘i 72 –
Honoka‘a 66
The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i boys varsity basketball team kept just ahead of Honoka‘a High to end a close contest with a 72-66 victory Thursday night in Honoka‘a.
The Warriors built their lead slowly, narrowly outscoring the Dragons in each quarter — 17-16
in the first, 13-11 in the second, 24-23 in the third and 18-16 in the fourth.
Kawohi Huihui led KSH with 22 points, followed by teammate Kiai Yasso with 17 points — including two three-pointers.
Honoka‘a’s scoring was well rounded. Mauloa Tagabi led the way with 17 points, David Aiona and Kukia Tagabi each scored 13 points and Elijah Kaupu-Alip posted 12 points.
Tagabi capitalized on free throws, sinking seven of ten. KSH’s Davedon Cabreros was immaculate at the free throw line — completing six of six.
The win moved KSH to 1-0 in BIIF play and 3-1 overall, following a Saturday homestand against Kealakehe (results will be published soon), the Warriors will close out the calendar year with a road test at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Ka‘u High (1-2) and a homestand against Waiakea High (2-1 BIIF, 2-4 ovr.) on Thursday.
The loss to KSH halted the Dragons’ two-game BIIF play win streak. Honoka‘a (2-1 BIIF, 3-3 ovr.) will look to get back on track – and end 2023 on a high note — with a 6 p.m. Tuesday home game against Christian Liberty Academy (0-1).
JV Score: KSH wins 57-46.
