Honokaa has a break coming, and girls basketball coach Daphne Honma says that gives her team plenty of time to work on issues that need fixing.
Nevertheless, the Dragons head to the holidays looking like the team to beat in Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II. Honokaa proved as much Tuesday night in a 42-35 victory against six-time league champion Kamehameha at Honokaa Armory.
“We did OK,” Honma said. “They gave us some problems, but we played well enough to win.”
Chancis Fernandez typified the night for the Dragons (3-0), according to Honma, scoring a “quiet” 15 points, while Shayla Ignacio added seven.
“Chancis had to work hard for her points,” Honma said. “She’s our workhorse and brings a lot of intangibles to the court.”
Honokaa got some breathing room with a spurt in the fourth quarter and, in doing so, gained a measure of revenge against the team it came up short against last season in the finals of both the BIIF and Hawaii High School Athletic Association tournaments. However, Honma said the Dragons weren’t looking to make a statement.
“Our players discussed playing Kamehameha and it was in the back of their heads, but they didn’t harp on it,” Honma said. “They knew they had to execute.
“I still see a lot of room to grow and a lot of room for improvement. We missed a lot of open looks.”
Casey Poe paced the Warriors (2-1) with 13 points.
In junior varsity, Honokaa prevailed 65-22.
Konawaena 62, Kealakehe 8
Led by sophomore Chanelle Molina’s 21 points, the Wildcats (3-0) cruised by the Waveriders at home. Jasmine Perea and Zoe Acdal also reached double-figures and the stifling Wildcat defense held Kealakehe without a basket in the second half.
Senior Tiffany Kurozawa led the Waveriders (1-2) with three points.
Kohala 65, Pahoa 59
Brittany Shimono and Tezrah Antonio led the way with 17 points apiece as the Cowgirls won on the road to remain unbeaten.
Hauoli Sproat-Lancaster added 10 points for Kohala (3-0).
Randi Berinobis scored 22 points for the Daggers (0-2). Erleen Oguma contributed 12 and Ranchell Berinobis chipped in with 10.
Pahoa won the JV game 32-28.
Waiakea 64, HPA 42
Shaila Apele tallied 19 points to lead four players in double figures for the host Warriors, who picked up their first victory of the season.
Nicole Antonio and Kryssie Okinaka each added 11 points and Kaydee Rapozo had 10 for Waiakea (1-2).
Ula Brostek led Ka Makani (0-2) with 22 points and Tiana Bertelmann-Tabac had 10.
Keaau 62, Ka‘u 40
Taylor Pocock starred with 35 points in Pahala and Ann Padasdao added 16 for the Cougars (1-2).
Denisha Navarroa (11 points) and Kerri Domondon (nine) carried the Trojans (0-3).
In JV, the Trojans won 31-27.
Hilo 53, Laupahoehoe 8
Aliyah Pana scored 15 points as the visiting Vikings improved to 3-0.
Kailyn Requelman-Ancheta and Shyla Anderson each had three points for the Seasiders (0-3).
By Stephens Media Hawaii sources
