KAILUA-KONA — Saying the Konawaena ’Cats to the Capital Tournament was a booming success based on the turnout on Saturday would a gross understatement.
The two-day event, which will also continue today at Kekuaokalani Gym, drew an unfathomable 80 teams, playing in 12 divisions with players ranging from as young as five years old, to 50-and-over.
A total of 119, 3-on-3, half court games were played on the first day of the tourney and another 109 will be played on the second day.
“This is our first time doing a 3-on-3 tournament and this is a great turnout for us,” said Konawaena head coach Bobbie Awa.
With the outstanding support, the Konawaena girls’ basketball team is well on its way to reaching its fundraising goals to fund their trip to the prestigious Title IX Tournament in Washington D.C., which will be held Dec. 27-30.
The three day Title IX tourney is a great opportunity for the Wildcat girls, allowing them a chance to play against other talented teams with highly recruited players in front of a wide range of college coaches and scouts seeking to award scholarships.
“It is a very exciting trip for the girls and myself, and we are very honored to be invited,” Awa said. “I don’t know how many opportunities these girls will get to travel to the east coast and we are going to make the most of it.”
The Wildcats’ season will be in full swing by time the tournament comes around and Awa’s only concern will be something that very few Hawaii teams have to deal with — cold weather. The average temperature in Washington D.C. in late December is between 30-40 degrees.
“We are going to have several games under our belt by time we get there but the long trip and cold weather is something we are not use to,” Awa said. “But if these girls want to play at the next level it is something they will have to adapt to.”
The 2014 Wildcats gained national prominence during the Iolani Classic by defeating nationally ranked Miramonte and then No. 1 tourney seed Riverdale Baptist. Konawaena finished the season with a 31-1 record and a state title.
A total of 48 teams across the United States were invited to the Title IX tournament. Games will take place at the D.C. Armory.
For more information on the Title IX Classic, visit titleixclassic.com.