HILO – Even when Konawaena looks to be in the smallest bit of trouble on the basketball court, someone — usually Cherilyn Molina — step ups and saves the day and the longest winning streak on record.
The Wildcats had an off-night by their lofty standards but still outlasted Hilo 42-34 in a BIIF Division I girls showdown on Tuesday night at the Vikings Gym, where Konawaena extended it league record to 105-0 by winning its season-opener.
Molina led the way with 14 points and her sparkplug energy. It also helped that Caiyle Kaupu and Kawena Kaohimaunu scored 11 points each for the Wildcats, who shot 48 percent from the field, including 10 of 17 in the second half, diversifying the offense.
“We came out a little overconfident and weren’t ready to play defense. We weren’t communicating,” Konawaena co-coach Dawnyelle Awa said. “Offensively, we weren’t converting.”
Tatiana Rideout scored 10 points while Mele Vaka and Asia Castillo added nine points each for the Vikings, who converted 41 percent from the floor, including 2 of 8 from long distance, and went 2 of 8 on free throws; Konawaena was 1 of 2 from the line.
The nine-time defending BIIF champion and three-time defending HHSAA Division I champ made 5 of 11 from beyond the arc. That helped, too. Kaohimaunu provided breathing room, dropping in three long-range bombs in the fourth quarter.
“She’s been picking it up in the last couple of games,” Awa said. “We need her to stay aggressive.”
But it was Molina, who lit a fire underneath the Wildcats, when they were stuck in an early hole.
Hilo (1-1) opened the game with a 9-0 run, behind a constant dribble-penetration attack, and Konawaena missed its first seven shots.
But the Wildcats didn’t look worried at all. Molina was only getting warmed up.
She scored on a putback and a drive to the cup that drew contact. She buried the free throw to slice the lead to 9-5. The shifty senior guard sank another putback at the buzzer to trim Hilo’s lead to 11-9.
“We’ve got some go-to players and shooters,” Awa said. “Cherilyn not only scores but brings energy as well. When the girls were patient, they relaxed and executed better.”
In the second quarter, Molina swished a 3-ball to tie it 16-16, and Kaupu followed with another 3-pointer for a 19-16 lead with 1:33 remaining. Right before the buzzer, Mikayla Tablit raced in for a layup as Konawaena took a 21-16 lead into halftime.
Hilo senior guard Mandi Kawaha was a dish-assisting machine in the third quarter during a 9-2 run. She handed out two assists to Rideout, who spotted up and sank shots. Rideout capped the run with a 3-pointer.
However, Molina broke a 25-25 tie with a layup with five seconds left. Then the fourth quarter rolled around. And it was time for Konawaena to protect that 27-25 lead with its tenacious defense.
Vaka scored and buried a free throw for a three-point play that cut Konawaena’s lead to 35-34 with 2:51 left. Then the Wildcats committed a turnover. Hilo had a chance to hold the ball and take a last-second shot for the win.
But the Vikings had a turnover with 2:09 left. The Wildcats worked the ball, and Kaohimaunu swished a 3-pointer for a 38-34 lead with 1:55 to go. Hilo couldn’t respond after that punch in the gut.
Konawaena finished with more turnovers than Hilo, 14-10. But the Vikings couldn’t capitalize. In fact, the visitors outscored them 3-2 off giveaways.
It didn’t help that Molina caught fire when the Wildcats needed a spark. Despite a hard-working man defense, Molina found room to make plays.
