KAPAAU — From the opening tip, No. 23 Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i girls basketball never let up.
In the Warriors’ sixth Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) matchup Thursday against Kohala, the group routed the Cowgirls 63-20 in Kamehameha Park Gymnasium to remain unbeaten in island play.
KSH overwhelmed Kohala with its aggressive full-court defense and team-oriented offense, spearheaded by senior stars Maela Honma and Keanu Huihui. The majority of damage was done in the opening half, when the Warriors outscored the Cowgirls 25-5 in the first quarter and 19-3 in the second.
Honma, a two-sport star who recently signed with Western Oregon volleyball, finished with a game-high 26 points — shooting 12-for-17 from the free-throw line. The 5-foot-9 forward averages 20.5 points per game on the season.
Huihui, a 6-foot point guard slated to play for UH-Hilo next fall, collected 24 points and 7-for-10 shooting from the charity stripe. The star currently leads her team at 26.5 points per game — good enough for second-highest in the BIIF behind Hawaii Prep’s Brooke Samura (32.9).
Behind the star pair was Baeleigh Lukzen, who scored six with two 3-pointers.
On Kohala’s side, no Cowgirl reached double figures — led by senior Jayline Salvador with a team-high five points followed by junior Mahea Pang and sophomore Adriana Soriano with four each. Salavador leads the squad in scoring at five points a night.
KSH (8-4 overall, 6-0 BIIF) continues to roll over BIIF competition, averaging 64.2 (third overall) points per game and shooting 66% from the field in the conference. Its next test will be up against Pahoa at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 — facing the Daggers on the road.
Kohala (4-3 overall, 2-2 BIIF) next hosts the island’s best in Konawaena at 7 p.m. Thursday in Kapaau.
JV score: Kohala 49, KS-Hawai‘i 19
Waiakea splits Thursday games
No. 7 Waiakea girls basketball made quick work of Honoka‘a on Thursday night on the road — winning 79-38 to climb to 7-1 in the BIIF.
The Warriors’ second-highest scoring offense in the BIIF at 67.5 points per game continued its dominance on the Dragons, led by Jolie Mantz with 22 points and Puaena Harrington with 20. The duo leads the team in season scoring, with Mantz at 18.6 points per game and Harrington at 16.5.
Honoka‘a’s leading scorer was Rylee Velazquez (12.8 points per game), who tallied 22 points — the only Dragon in double figures. Teammate Telia Iaeli (10 points per game) had nine.
Next up, Waiakea (11-3 overall, 7-1 BIIF) will host Kea‘au at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 in Hilo. Honoka‘a (4-4 overall, 2-2 BIIF) will travel down to the Kona proper to play Kealakehe at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Waveriders’ gymnasium.
The Warriors boys team additionally suited up Thursday evening, falling to No. 15 KS-Hawai‘i 68-36 in Kea‘au.
KSH was led by a well-balanced scoring approach, having six players score in double digits. Sophomore Kawohi Huihui posted a game-high 17 points — continuing to lead the team at 19 points per game in the BIIF. Teammates Kolten Tabuyo-Kahele and Justin Ondo (three 3s) had 11 each while Kiai Yasso scored 10.
Dylan Nakamoto-Baltazr scored a team-high 10 points with two 3-pointers for Waiakea, followed by Tayden Sweat with eight, Josiah Amuimula with seven and Noah Tyrin with six.
KSH (6-1 overall, 4-0 BIIF) next plays Christian Liberty Academy at 6 p.m. Jan 3 in Kea‘au. Waiakea (2-5 overall, 2-2 BIIF) will look to redeem itself against Kea‘au at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the road.