The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i boys varsity basketball team secured its No. 1 spot in BIIF Division I — emerging victorious, 49-46, from a scrappy and fast-paced showdown against home standing Hilo High on Saturday night.
The matchup saw the isle’s top two DI teams duke it out in front of an overflowing, packed house. Hundreds of spectators filled the stands, and even stood along the walls of the sweltering HHS gym to watch the pair of athletic powerhouses battle for the top playoff seed and bragging rights of leeward-side dominance.
KSH got the upper hand early, ending the first quarter with a 15-10 lead. Neither team had trouble scoring inside the key, but the Warriors’ control of the game’s pace and success outside the arc kept them ahead — thanks in part to a pair of three-pointers by Kiai Yasso.
Hilo managed to slow things down in the second quarter and work its bread and butter — physicality inside the paint. Peyton Pana, Ikena Leao and Kaiwalya Kaneta played big inside the arc to put up points while the Vikings’ defense kept a tighter grip on the outside. Hilo outscored KSH 14-10 to enter halftime trailing by just 25-24.
Things remained neck-and-neck through the third frame, as each team scored 13 points. KSH’s Kawohi Huihui repeatedly scored layups in transition to add to his already high personal score.
The final frame was frantic, characterized by turnovers and a seemingly endless cycle of transitions. With three minutes left in the game, the Warriors and Vikings were tied 41-41. Yasso hit another three-pointer for KSH — then, 30 game seconds later, Hilo’s Jared Fuerte responded with a three. Around 1:14, Huihui got a board and raced across the court for another transition layup.
After a timeout, Hilo’s Xarren Jose drove to the paint for a layup, tying the score again at 46-46. As the last 40 seconds ran out, Huihui scored on yet another layup to put the Warriors back in the lead. Another timeout was called with 19 seconds left. Hilo got into foul trouble while trying to slow the game down, and gave Yasso a trip to the free throw line — where he sank his second attempt.
A narrowly-missed buzzer beater from the three-point line was the Vikings’ last act, as the emotional outing came to a close.
Huihui scored a game high 23 points to lead KSH, followed by Yasso with 16 points. Pana lead Hilo with 15 points and went five-for-seven at the free throw line. Kaneta scored eight points, while Leao scored seven and went four-for-four at the charity stripe.
Now 10-0, the Warriors have two tests left on their regular season slate — both at home. On Tuesday, KSH will host cross-town rival Kea‘au High (4-7).
The Warriors’ senior night will be another marquee matchup — Saturday against defending DII state champion Kohala High (9-0), the only other undefeated boys squad on the isle.
The Cowboys and Warriors are the only teams that beat Hilo this season, as Kohala downed the Vikings 54-46 in late December.
Hilo fell to 9-2, and has one game remaining — Friday at home against Christian Liberty Academy (1-7).