Kohala exploded for 23 points in the fourth quarter to erase a five-point deficit and defeated Kealakehe 65-55 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation basketball game Monday night at Kealakehe Gymnasium.
Kealakehe led 47-42 following a jump shot by Arthur Freddy in the starting moments of the fourth quarter, but the Cowboys (6-2) went on shooting spree from there on out. Mikala Jordan and Ryan Caravalho took the reins for Kohala, combining to score 21 of the Cowboys’ fourth-quarter points. Jordan and Caravalho finished the night with 18 points apiece.
“We knew we just had to keep running, wear them out,” Jordan said. “We kept pressing the ball and didn’t let (up). We didn’t get too worried when we were down early; we just waited for our time.”
Said Caravalho: “We struggled a little in the beginning, but played with our heart and came out strong in the end.”
Keanu Tilfas led the Waveriders (2-5) with 18 points, while Freddy had 11, including three 3-pointers.
Kealakehe got the tip and went up 6-0 after Malu Akiona scored the game’s first three baskets. Kohala shrugged off its slow start and eventually got on the board with a pair free throws by Shawn Ray Ramos, but the Waveriders’ offense patiently worked ball around on the other end before finding Freddy wide open for a three to put Kealakehe up 9-2.
Kohala didn’t get its first field goal until Jordan nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with 3:12 left in the first quarter, which seemed to spark the team. The Cowboys closed out the opening quarter on a 11-2 run, capped by Bronson Fuertes’s steal and basket in the waning seconds to tie the game at 15-15.
The Waveriders then quickly jumped back up by five after a Tilfas basket underneath and another 3-pointer by Freddy, but the Cowboys came charging right back and took its first lead when Caravalho’s layup to made it 21-20. From there, the lead changed another five times in the next five minutes before the haltime buzzer sounded, and Kohala entered the locker room with a 32-30 advantage.
Kealakehe had the advantage in the third quarter, but Kohala had the final answer.
Kealakehe won the JV game 43-16.
Konawaena 55, St. Joseph 29
Kevin Medeiros led three scorers in double-figures with 13 points and the Wildcats took control from the start to win on the road and remained the undefeated front-runner in Division I.
Brandon Awa and Jonah Bredeson each posted 10 points for Konawaena (8-0), which led 30-7 at halftime.
Michael Silva finished with 13 points for the Cardinals (0-7) and Cole DeSilva had eight.
HPA 61, Kamehameha 50
Kalan Camero powered a balanced scoring attack in Waimea that helped Ka Makani stay perfect in league play.
Camero led all scorers with 19 points, while David Ovbagbedia and Justas Gecas each finished with 17. HPA (8-0) started to pull away in the third quarter after leading 29-26 at halftime.
Micah Carter paced the Warriors (4-4), losers of two in a row, with 18 points and Pukana Vincent had 12.
Kamehameha won the JV game 58-36.
Waiakea 64, Hilo 45
Lucas St. George scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the host Warriors dominated their rival en route to their third straight victory.
Waiakea (6-2) featured better balance and rebounding, holding a 40-25 edge on the boards.
Dillon Rellez finished with 15 points and Calvin Mattos chipped in with 11 for the Warriors, who have the inside track on the No. 2 seed in the BIIF Division I semifinals.
Hilo (4-4) managed only three third-quarter points and trailed 44-27 entering the fourth. Jalen Carvalho (27 points) and Austin Dante (13) combined for all but five of the Vikings’ points.
In JV, Waiakea won 56-35.
Pahoa 66, Ka‘u 56
Joel Rosario scored 20 points to power four Daggers in double figures as Pahoa prevailed in Pahala.
Tolby Saito (18 points), Keinan Agonias (14) and Kili Oliveira (10) also helped the cause for the Daggers (3-5), who owned the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 16-4, to win their second consecutive game.
Chance Emmsley-Ah Yee finished with 15 points for the Trojans (0-8).
In JV, Ka‘u won 64-48.
Keaau 66, Honokaa 64, 2OT
Edgar Ventura scored 24 points and Isiah Segobia added 17, including a 3-pointer to tie the game late in regulation that saved the visiting Cougars, who went on to win in double overtime.
Keaau (4-4), which moved into a three-way tie for third place in Division I, was trailing by five points with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter before it mounted a comeback.
Wayne Vaoga led the Dragons (2-6) with 16 points. The senior came up with a steal late in the second overtime, missing on a game-winning 3-point attempt. Kysen Datuin (nine) couldn’t get a 3-pointer to fall for the Dragons near the end of the first overtime.
Shyrome Batin scored 15 points for Honokaa and Cjay Carvalho had 14. Coach Jayme Carvalho felt his team was in control of the game early in the fourth quarter when Cjay Carvalho had to leave with an ankle injury.
The JV game also went to an extra session, with Keaau winning 56-50.