Despite a double-double from senior guard Brandon Awa, the Big Island Interscholastic champion Konawaena Wildcats (11-3) were unable to overcome a dismal team shooting performance, falling to Campbell 58-53 in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I quarterfinals Thursday night at McKinley High School on Oahu.
The Wildcats hit on just 16 of 67 (23.9 percent) shots from the field, and were 4 of 23 (17.5 percent) from beyond the arc against the Sabers.
Awa finished the game with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Jonah Bredeson added seven points and 11 rebounds.
On the way to a second consecutive BIIF title, the senior duo carried the load, but could not get more shots to fall against the Sabers.
Campbell (13-2) used a balance attack to take down the Wildcats, who were looking to make a second consecutive trip to the HHSAA semifinals. Senior guard Gilbert Dayanan scored 14 points, and Lamart Dudley added 10 points. It is the first time since 2005 that Campbell has advanced to the tournament’s semifinal round.
The Wildcats nearly overcame the horrible night from the field in the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands four times in the final two minutes, but two clutch 3-pointers by Dayanan in the final minute and a four-point play from Michael Merchant clinched the game for the Sabers.
Konawaena racked up 27 points to Campbell’s 19 in the final quarter. The Wildcats had scored only 26 points in the previous three quarters combined.
Campbell made the tournament as the OIA runner-up, losing to Farrington in the OIA playoffs last week. The Sabers advanced to play the Wildcats after upending Leilehua 46-35 in the opening round.
Konawaena earned a bye to the quarterfinals and the No. 4 seed as the BIIF champion. The meeting was the first of the season between the two teams, despite both playing in the Kalaheo tournament in December.
Campbell advances to play No. 1 seed Iolani in the semifinals today.
Konawaena plays Lahainaluna in the consolation bracket at 1 p.m.
Campbell 7 16 16 19 — 58
Konawaena 10 8 8 27 — 53
Waiakea 52, Moanalua 49
The BIIF runner-up Warriors (11-4) rebounded from a 70-62 loss to Mililani in the opening round with a tight win against Na Menehune in the consolation bracket.
Lucas St. George led Waiakea with 16 points, and Maikai Gahan and Dillon Rellez each added 8 points.
Aaron Stuart led Moanalua with 19 points.
Waiakea is out of contention for any of the top spots, but have a final game to play before ending the season. Waiakea will take on Kalaheo, who defeated Leilehua 41-38 on Thursday, at 11 a.m. today.
Waiakea 14 17 11 10 — 52
Moanalua 11 14 12 12 — 49