Cowboys reign supreme, defeat KS-Hawai‘i

Kohala High’s boys varsity basketball team ended the regular season as the only undefeated team on the isle — dealing KS-Hawai‘i its first loss of the season, 57-49, on Saturday night in Kea‘au.

The Cowboys set the game’s rapid pace early, scoring on nearly every possession while keeping the Warriors away from the basket and holding them to a low shooting percentage.

Kohala’s Layden Kauka was on fire, scoring 18 points during the first half of the game — four three-pointers, two field goals and two free throws.

By halftime, the frustrated Warriors sat behind their steepest deficit of the season — 38-20.

KSH entered the third frame with composure and intensity, stifled the Cowboys’ distance shooting and outscored them 14-11.

Kiai Yasso dropped ten points in the fourth quarter to lead KSH over Kohala 15-10, but the Warriors’ second half surge was ultimately not strong enough to erase their early deficit.

Layden Kauka led Kohala, notching a double-double with 23 points and 11 boards. His brother, Landon, scored 12 points and Jayden Hook scored ten. Collectively, the Cowboys notched five steals and a block.

Yasso was the only KSH player to reach double digits, scoring 22 points.

Saturday’s game was ultimately for bragging rights, as both teams already secured playoff berths last week and will enter their respective BIIF tournaments as top seeds.

KSH, now 11-1, will host No. 4 Waiakea High on Tuesday for the semifinals of the KTA/BIIF DI playoffs.

Kohala (12-0) will play its BIIF DII semifinal match on Wednesday in Kapa‘au against No. 4 Hawaii Prep.