By KEVIN JAKAHI Tribune-Herald sports writer ADVERTISING Despite another loss to its downtown neighbor and nemesis, visiting Kamehameha had something to feel good about — playing with the type of intensity usually reserved for February. But Waiakea is fundamentally solid,
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Despite another loss to its downtown neighbor and nemesis, visiting Kamehameha had something to feel good about — playing with the type of intensity usually reserved for February.
But Waiakea is fundamentally solid, even when rather sloppy play makes an appearance, and prevailed over Kamehameha 44-39 in a thrilling Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls basketball game Wednesday night.
Like the first showdown, a 38-27 Waiakea win, Ciera Pacheco led the way with 17 points, scoring a half-dozen layups. Tricia Amuimuia added seven points, and Keani Shirai, Sefulu Faavae and Daven Namohala-Roloos had six points each for the Division I Warriors (6-0).
Senior point guard Chelsea Poe and her sophomore sister, forward Casey Poe, each had 11 points to lead the Division II Warriors (4-2), who struggled with 30 percent (13 of 44) shooting but closed within 40-39 on Chelsea Poe’s 3-pointer with 53 seconds left.
“We stepped it up at the end. It’s a learning lesson. The goal is to make us and prepare us for a Division II state title run in February,” Kamehameha coach Garrett Arima said. “In this game, we learned that we need to value possessions and I told the girls it’ll come down to turnovers and free throws. We worked so hard on defense to create turnovers, but we gave the ball back on layups. We’ve been working on our rotation and getting back on defense. We have to stay focused.”
Kamehameha made a spirited run in the fourth quarter, pressuring Waiakea’s ball-handlers (Pacheco’s point guard partner Alyssa Ferreira was out with a cold) and forcing an ugly 13 turnovers. The home team finished with 19 giveaways; the Division II Warriors had 18, just one in the final period.
The guests opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, capped by the front end of a Chelsea Poe free throw that cut Waiakea’s lead to 35-32 with 3:42 to go.
“Chelsea played a great game on both ends of the floor. She controlled the tempo and kept the girls composed,” Arima said. “She hit some big shots in the end. She’s our senior leader and we want the ball in her hands at the end. She’s a four-year starter and as a senior she has an urgency to win.”
That missed back-end free throw was one point of many not capitalized by Kamehameha, which converted only 7 of 19 or 37 percent. Waiakea went 12 of 18 from the line and shot 42 percent (16 of 38) from the floor.
And despite its sloppy ball security, especially in the frantic fourth quarter, Waiakea built enough of a cushion with a layup clinic in the third quarter, scoring 10 straight points near the end, all while breaking the press and outhustling defenders down the floor.
After Poe sank her 3 to get her team within a point, Pacheco raced out, ripped to the basket and almost scored. But she was fouled and buried both free throws.
Then after Kamehameha missed, she did it again. After her layup attempt rolled wide right, she nailed one of two free throws, giving the crowd a chance to catch its breath.
The Division II Warriors are 0-2 against Waiakea and came close in the rematch. It was an exciting battle all the way to the end, great for the fans but better for Kamehameha, despite falling short.
“We have a lot of work to do. Half the season is gone,” said Arima, who then looked at the big picture mindful that the Warriors lost 43-40 to Radford for the Division II state title last season. “But we’re not playing for this game. We’re playing for February. These games will get us better.”
Kamehameha 9 5 9 16 — 39
Waiakea 14 8 13 9 — 44
Hilo 33, Keaau 25: Sophomore Aliyah Pana scored 10 points as the host Vikings rallied to improve to 4-2.
The Division I matchup was tied 22-22 after three quarters.
Maedina Ongais-Kilaulani scored nine points for the Cougars (1-5).
In junior varsity, Kayla Okimoto scored 15 points in Hilo’s 44-28 win. Sisilia Masima had 12 points for Keaau.
Keaau 3 9 10 3 —25
Hilo 5 8 9 11 —33
Konawaena 65, Honokaa 26: Lia Galdeira scored 24 points and Makayla Awa chipped in with 21 at Honokaa Armory as the Wildcats improved to 6-0.
Hunter Liftee led the Dragons (4-2) with 17 points.
In JV, Makana Wall’s 18 points paced Kona to a 37-32 victory. Kayla Requelman scored 10 points for Honokaa.
Kona 14 12 27 12 —65
Honokaa 3 13 7 3 —26
Ka’u 67, Pahoa 35: Joyce Ibasan scored 15 points in Pahala as the Trojans moved ahead of the Daggers in the Division II standings.
Shaylin Navarro added 13 points and Janessa Jara had 12 for Ka’u (2-4), which jumped out to a 41-22 halftime lead en route to its second win against the Daggers (1-5) this season.
Randi Berinobis and Ranchelle Berinobis each scored 13 points for the Daggers.
Pahoa 8 14 6 7—35
Ka’u 20 21 19 7—67
Hawaii Prep 52, Kohala 24: Senior guard Leahi Lindsey scored a game-high 18 points, while senior guard Nani Lum and sophomore guard Chancis Fernandez added 13 apiece for visiting HPA (4-2).
Junior Sheana Cazimero and senior Kristine Antonio each scored seven points for the Cowgirls (2-4).
In the JV game, HPA beat Kohala 43-20, getting 15 points from Ula Brostek and 12 from Tiana Reynolds.
Mohala Kaholoaa Kumukoa scored a game-high 19 points for the Cowgirls.
Kohala 8 5 6 5 — 24
HPA 11 10 15 16 — 52
Kealakehe 43, Laupahoehoe 16: Anna deSagun scored eight points for the host Waveriders, who improved to 2-4.
Junior Vanistie Batin and freshman Shyla Anderson led the Seasiders (0-6) with eight points apiece.
Laupahoehoe 1 7 2 6 — 16
Kealakehe 17 4 10 12 — 43
Boys
Kealakehe 67, Laupahoehoe 17: Senior guard Jacob Ontiveros scored a game-high 17 points for the host Waveriders (2-3).
Junior Jordan Salboro paced the Seasiders (0-6) with eight points.
Laupahoehoe 5 6 2 4 — 17
Kealakehe 24 22 11 10 — 67
