Hilo High’s boys varsity basketball team handled business with ease, crushing St. Joseph School 67-9 on Monday night at UH-Hilo’s Vulcan Gymnasium.
Hilo High’s boys varsity basketball team handled business with ease, crushing St. Joseph School 67-9 on Monday night at UH-Hilo’s Vulcan Gymnasium.
The Vikings got off to a tremendous start, outscoring the Cardinals 31-3 in the first quarter. Hilo’s Peyton Pana and Ikena Leao led the way — scoring 13 points and eight points, repectively, during the first quarter. Pana is the top scorer in BIIF DI, averaging 19.6 points per game in BIIF play.
The huge lead allowed the Vikings to pull their starters before the first frame ended. Amari Weidemeier led SJS with six points on the outing.
Each team has two more matchups before the end of the calendar year.
St. Jo (0-4) will next host Pahoa (3-1), tipping off 6 p.m. Saturday at the Vulcan gym. The Cardinals will cap off 2023 with a road test at Kealakehe High (0-3) on Dec. 30. They will return to action Jan. 6 with another west-side visit at Konawaena High (0-2 BIIF, 2-6 ovr.).
Currently riding a six-game win streak, Hilo (5-0 BIIF, 7-1 ovr.) will next face reigning DII state champion Kohala High (2-0 BIIF, 7-2 ovr.) on Dec. 27 in Kapa‘au. The Vikings will bring in the new year with a Dec. 30 home stand against Ka‘u High (1-2). On Jan. 5, Hilo and Waiakea High (2-1 BIIF, 2-4 ovr.) will face off for the first time in BIIF action this season. The pair last met in November during a preseason tournament, at which the Vikings defeated the Warriors 45-28.
