KEALAKEKUA — It was defense, defense and more defense for Konawaena girls basketball on Friday afternoon against the visiting Ka‘u Lady Trojans inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
The Lady Wildcats deployed an agressive, full-court-press defensive scheme on Ka‘u that included double teams and traps in the 66-9 rout — forcing the visitors to make quick decisions, which led to a plethora of turnovers and Kona points in transition.
Mikela Salazar-Harrell (16 points), Kayzia James (14 points) and Shaileia Hookahi-Bannister (12 points) led the Lady Wildcats’ offensive charge by pushing the team’s pace after forcing turnovers. The Lady Trojans couldn’t find a counter by the time the final buzzer sounded.
Ka‘u’s scorers were Sky Pritchard, Leahi Kaupu, Jazmyn Navarro and Tenielle Jade Blanco, who all scored two points each.
Kona soared to 9-2 overall and 4-0 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF), winning its eighth consecutive. The Lady Wildcats have scored 50-or-more points in eight games thus far, averaging an impressive 60.6 points per game overall. Salazar-Harrell is Kona’s top scorer in BIIF play, averaging 14 points a night. Hookahi-Bannister averages 12.
The Lady Wildcats will next face Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i on Monday inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
The Lady Trojans moved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in league play. Navarro has been the group’s leading scorer with 14 points per game in the BIIF and 11.3 overall. They’ll next host Kealakehe on Tuesday inside Ka‘u District Gymnasium in Pahala.
Immediately following the girls win, Kona and Ka‘u boys matched up, with the Wildcats winning 87-54.
Kona’s Joven Young led the winners with 19 points, followed by teammate Alex Martinez with 12. On the Trojans’ side, Daeten Castillo reached a game-high 31 points, along with teammate Excel Bonoan with 16.
The Wildcats moved to 4-1 in the BIIF and 5-5 overall, led by Riley Asakura — who averages 20 points per game in league play and 10.2 overall. Kona averages 68 points per game while allowing 49.6 in the BIIF. The green and white will next face Kohala on Jan. 6 in Kapa‘au.
Ka‘u (2-6 overall, 1-4 BIIF) has lost five straight, and will look to redeem itself in its next matchup against Honoka‘a, slated for Dec. 27 in Honoka‘a town.
JV: Girls — Kona 70, Ka‘u 16; Boys — Kona 68, Ka‘u 34
KSH 70, Pahoa 39
KSH boys basketball had a successful road trip Saturday night down to Pahoa town, routing the hosting Daggers 70-39 to earn its fifth BIIF win of the early season.
The Warriors came out strong against the 0-3 Daggers, opening with two 20-point quarters. Pahoa was unable to counter down the stretch, allowing seven 3-pointers.
KSH (5-1 overall, 3-0 BIIF) was led by Kiai Yasso with 28 points and five 3-point makes. Yasso leads the team in scoring at 19.5 points per game.
Running mate Kaikuakea Kanana-Rowe finished with 14 points, followed by Kawaohi Huihui with 12. The Daggers’ lone double-digit scorer was Kyran Canete, who added 21. Canete had led the struggling Daggers with 23 points per game.
The Warriors have been on a roll to start their BIIF slate, averaging 69.7 points per game while allowing 44. Their next test will be against defending DII state champion Kohala, scheduled to tip off Thursday night in Kapa‘au.
Pahoa will try to get its first win tonight at Kealakehe High School against the Waveriders.
Pahoa 72, CLA 35
Pahoa girls basketball rebounded big after falling to Konawaena earlier in the week, routing Christian Liberty Academy 72-35 in a Saturday night showdown in Kea‘au.
The 5-1 Lady Daggers started out hot against the Canefire, scoring 24 points. CLA (1-5) couldn’t recover from there, and Pahoa cruised to victory.
Lady Daggers star Sophia Moniz, who leads the group in scoring at 16.8 points per game, finished with a game-high 25 points and two 3-pointers. Teammates Kaiawe Sione, Jill Shipp and Azariyah Brown combined for 38 points.
Mikaili Banetto-Payomo, CLA’s only scorer in double figures, added 17 points. Teammate Taylor Jackson had four.
Pahoa averages 46.7 points per game and allows 26.5. Now back in the win column, the Daggers will have another upcoming big test in Kohala — scheduled to tip off Tuesday at home.
The Canefire have now dropped two straight, and will seek redemption in its next matchup against Waiakea tonight in Hilo.
