Going up against one of the state’s best, Honokaa coach Daphne Honma saw the competitive side of her team that she cherishes — in the second half, anyway. The first half belonged to Chanelle Molina and Konawaena.
Molina scored 34 points Saturday night to pace the Wildcats to a 72-48 victory at the Dragons’ preseason girls basketball tournament at Honokaa Armory.
“She just had her way,” Honma said of Molina, a sophomore. “I think the girls got caught up with playing Konawaena.
“The first quarter was terrible. In the second half, we were able to compete.”
Ihi Victor scored 17 points for the defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Wildcats.
Hunter Liftee led the way with 12 points for Honokaa, and Eliyah Fernandez added 10.
Konawaena 51, Waiakea 38: Ihi Victor scored 20 points and Chanelle Molina added 18 for Konawaena.
The Warriors got 12 points from Shaila Apele and 10 from Kaydee Rapozo.
Kamehameha-Hawaii 52, Kealakehe 19: Casey Poe powered the Warriors with 20 points and Riana Arima chipped in with 19.
Kamehameha-Hawaii 59, Waiakea 50: Casey Poe’s 25 points along with Riana Arima’s 17 and 11 from Makamae Gabriel led Kamehameha.
Kaydee Rapozo finished with 21 for Waiakea and Nicole Antonio had 11.
Molokai 68, Kealakehe 34: Leihiwa Pevro paced the Farmers with 20 points.
Tiffany Kurozawa had eight points for the Waveriders.
Waiakea 73, Molokai 39: Kaydee Rapozo (18 points) and Nicole Antonio (12) led the way for the Warriors.
Leihiwa Pevro had 10 for the Farmers.