WAIMEA — After a late start, Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Konawaena battled until near darkness in the final game of the inaugural Big Island high school lacrosse season on Friday.
If it wasn’t for the time on the scoreboard, they probably would have played until it was pitch black.
Ka Makani edged the Wildcats 4-2 in the season finale, but the camaraderie and passion for the sport by both teams was evident as the final buzzer rang. Players from both teams sprinted from their sidelines to mob their respective goalies, celebrating the end of a successful year.
“The fact we have two teams, playing each other that understand the basic rules of the sport on the Big Island is amazing,” Hawaii Prep head coach Will Zucker said. “We talked about this a year ago and to see it become a reality has been incredible.”
Hawaii Prep started its lacrosse club two years ago — with many players joining at various points since. This was the first season for Konawaena.
Hawaii Prep swept the four-game season-series between the Big Island schools, but Konawaena head coach Dan Curran was thrilled with the way his team progressed through the season.
“Some kids have only been playing three weeks. Other just a few months,” Curran said. “These kids really love this game. I’ve never questioned our heart or hustle.”
The teams got a test at the Founder’s Cup tournament last week, when Punahou and the Honolulu Sharks club team came to the Big Island. The more experienced Oahu squads proved to be in a different tier of play, but the live-game action proved invaluable for Konawaena and Hawaii Prep.
“It takes more than one or two seasons to become a really good lacrosse player,” Zucker said. “You can tell the kids know where they need to go and what to do, but it will take some time to get to that next level.”
The Wildcats struck first Friday with a goal at the midway mark of the first quarter. But Ka Makani quickly responded, scoring less than a minute later to tie the game.
Hawaii Prep netted another goal before the half, and added two more after the break to go up 4-1. Konawaena managed a goal late, but the deficit was too much to overcome.
While the game marked the end of the season, it is really just the start for the sport, which hopes too add more teams next season and in the years to come.
“This is only the beginning,” Zucker said. “Like I have said before, if any other school is interested in joining, we will get them what they need. We really want to see this sport grow.”