KSH 63 – KONAWAENA 62
The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i girls varsity basketball team overcame Konawaena High, winning 63-62 on Monday night in Kea‘au.
The Warriors are now the only undefeated girls’ basketball team on the isle — boasting a 9-0 BIIF record with just four outings remaining on their regular season slate.
The Wildcats took an early lead, outscoring KSH 22-16 in the first quarter — powered by three-point shooting and success at the freethrow line. Konawaena totaled five three-pointers and went five-for-six in free throws during Monday’s opening frame.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats stayed ahead by outscoring KSH 14-11. Konawaena’s strong defense in the paint disabled the Warriors’ layup game, but KSH managed to eke out some success on the outside — as Aubrey Miyasato sank two three-pointers and Baeleigh Luksen made one.
The Warriors began to turn the tide in the second half — and capitalized heavily on free throws. KSH players went 15-for-17 at the free throw stripe between the third and fourth quarters — with Maela Honma going seven-for-eight and Keanu Huihui scoring on all seven of her attempts.
The game went down to the wire, as KSH trailed 62-59 with less than a minute left. Maela Honma hit two straight free throws around the 40-second mark to reduce the Warriors’ deficit to one point.
KSH’s defense locked the Wildcats down during their next possession, forcing a missed shot as the shot clock ran out. As the five-second mark passed, Kacie Febo-Santiago assisted Keanu Huihui for the go-ahead layup.
A timeout was called with four seconds on the clock, then the Wildcats missed an attempted buzzer beater shot from just outside the three-point line.
Huihui led the Warriors with 22 points, followed by Honma with 19. Miyasato scored 11 points, making a trio of threes.
Konawaena was led by Kaanoipua Leilewi with 12 points — followed by Tavina Harris and Haikela Hiraishi, who each scored 11 points.
Monday’s win was the second game and second win of the Warriors’ five-game homestead — which will resume Monday as KSH faces HPA (2-2 BIIF, 4-4 ovr.). KSH’s remaining regular season matchups are against Honoka‘a High (Jan. 17) and Pahoa High (Jan. 22) at home, then away at Waiakea High (Jan. 25) for the regular season finale.
The Wildcats fell to 8-1 in BIIF play, but still lead BIIF Div.-I with a 2-0 division play record.
With just three regular season matchups remaining — two of them against BIIF DI opponents — Konawaena will look to get back to dominating with its next outing, a home match on Friday against Christian Liberty Academy (0-6).
The Wildcats will play Jan. 17 at Kealakehe High, then end the regular season Jan. 24 at home versus Hilo High.
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WAIAKEA 81 – PARKER 20
Waiakea High’s girls varsity basketball team handled business, rolling to a three-win streak with an 81-20 rout of Parker School on Monday in Hilo.
The Warriors took control of the game quickly, and left the Bulls in the dust with a 54-9 halftime lead.
Jolie Mantz led Waiakea with 22 points, followed by Pua‘ena Herrington with 17 and Ava Santos with 16.
Adalyn Ballad led Parker with 12 points.
Now 9-1 in BIIF play, Waiakea played its last DI outing on Thursday, beating Kea‘au High 55-15. Parker was the first DII opponent of three on the end of the Warriors’ regular season slate.
Next, Waiakea will play away at CLA on Jan. 18.
The Jan. 25 matchup against KSH will also be Waiakea’s season finale. Though it is a non-division matchup, it will still be a big game for both teams — especially Waiakea.
Konawaena is Waiakea’s only loss so far. The Wildcats beat the Warriors 60-44 on Dec. 11 in Kealakekua. Because KSH is Konawaena’s only loss, a Waiakea victory over KSH would be a major morale boost for WHS.
Monday’s loss was the second in a row for Parker — which has sunken from a 2-1 BIIF record to 2-3 within the past three days.
The Bulls will have a chance to get back in the saddle on Thursday night — playing their cross-town rivalry match away at Hawaii Prep.
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KOHALA 59 – KEALAKEHE 17
Kohala High’s girls varsity basketball team routed Kealakehe on Monday by a score of 59-17 — earning its second win of 2024 after dropping two consecutive games at the end of December. The Waveriders lost their fifth straight, and scored no more than six points in any quarter.
The Cowgirls exploded out of the gate early, scoring 20 points in the first quarter. Kohala was led by Kalia Marquez, who posted a game-high 14 points. Teammate Mahea Pang added 10.
Kealakehe was led by Chenl Domingo-Felton — scoring 11.
Currently 6-2 in BIIF play, the Cowgirls will seek a third straight win — against Ka‘u at 2 p.m. Saturday. The ‘Riders (1-8) next play Hilo at 6 p.m. Friday at home.