It took a half, but Hilo once again looked every bit the Hawaii High School Athletic Association contender.
Aliyah Pana and Shalyn Guthier each scored 11 points Saturday as the Vikings raced past Iolani 58-48 to finish 3-0 at their preseason girls basketball tournament at Kawananakoa Gym.
Chailey Cabalis and Cierra Kelii added 10 points apiece for Hilo, which overcame a seven-point halftime deficit in a battle of tourney unbeatens. Kelii was named tournament MVP for Hilo, which also beat the Raiders last season in the third-place game at the state tournament in Honolulu.
Kelsi Ikeda led Iolani with 11 points.
Next up for the Vikings, who earlier in the prese ason went 3-0 at Waiakea’s tournament, is their Big Island Interscholastic Federation opener Tuesday against Division II Hawaii Prep in Waimea.
This year, all BIIF D-I and II teams will each other in the islandwide schedule.
Waiakea 60, Kau 15
Nicole Antonio scored 14 points and Shaila Apele added 10 to pace the Warriors, who led 49-9 at halftime.
Lie Aipia-Dolan led the Trojans with six points.
Kamehameha 64,
Pahoa 30
Makamae Gabriel gave her team the third scoring option it was looking for, tallying 27 points as the Warriors won a mat chup of BIIF Division II teams.
Riana Arima added 16 points and Casey Poe finished with 14 for Kamehameha.
Randi Berinobis had 12 for the Daggers.