The intangibles of discipline and patience don’t score any points, but the two valuable traits win games for Konawaena, which like any champion routinely finds a way to victory.
The Wildcats survived a loud, energized crowd on the road and a plague of fourth-quarter turnovers to topple Hilo 46-39 in a pivotal BIIF Division I basketball game on Friday night at the Vikings Gym.
Cherilyn Molina scored 20 points, Ihi Victor 13 and Chanelle Molina added seven points to lead the Wildcats (10-0), who shot 37 percent (14 of 38) from the field.
It was the first game back for Chanelle Molina, who sprained her left ankle during the Title IX tournament in Washington, D.C. over the winter break.
The senior guard came off the bench, but her sophomore sister carried the scoring load, dropping in a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter and five layups, either beating a defender off the dribble or in transition off a turnover.
“We were patient on offense. We settled down and didn’t rush any shots,” Cherilyn said. “I didn’t make anything in the first quarter, but I kept attacking (the basket) and if we were open we’d take a 3-pointer.
“When Chanelle came out, we were clapping. We feel more comfortable when she’s on the court.”
Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa noticed that, too. When Chanelle Molina is on the court, she makes everyone better, and she doesn’t necessarily need to score.
“We played with patience. When we got rattled, we settled down and when Chanelle is on the court the girls can feel it, and they’re more comfortable,” Awa said.
Lexi Pana scored 13 points and Sharlei Graham-Bernisto added 11 points to lead the Vikings (9-1), who converted 34 percent (13 of 38) from the floor.
Pana and Graham-Bernisto each had three treys. Mandi Kawaha and Katie Loeak had one each. Kona had two 3-pointers, both by Cherilyn Molina.
With the win, Kona clinched the league’s automatic berth to the HHSAA state tournament, which will be held Feb. 9-12 on Oahu.
The other state spot is available at the four-team BIIF tournament, which will be held next Friday and Saturday.
No. 1 seed Kona will play No. 4 Waiakea (6-4), and No. Hilo will play No. 3 (8-2) Honokaa in the BIIF semifinals.
The seven-time defending BIIF champion Wildcats also extended their league record winning streak to 90-0. They last lost to Waiakea for the BIIF title in 2008.
“What a game. We never gave up, and we live and die with the 3-pointer,” said Hilo coach Henry Miranda, whose team made eight 3-balls. “We kept fighting and kept fighting. We want to be on Kona’s level.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board and fix our mistakes, and come back strong for the playoffs. We’re not taking Honokaa for granted (Hilo won 46-25 on Tuesday). They’re a tough team.”
Konawaena attacked the rim, got fouled repeatedly, and went a whopping 15 of 25 from the line. Hilo made 1 of 4 free throws.
Hilo, with better depth, was the team with foul problems. Graham-Bernisto picked up her fourth foul with 2:35 left; Pana got her fourth with 4:58 to play in the third quarter.
The Vikings had 16 turnovers while the Wildcats had 14 giveaways. With all that foul trouble, Hilo couldn’t go full blast on defense, but still outscored Kona off turnovers, 10-8.
Let’s fast-forward to the fourth quarter, where most of the entertainment was crammed in the final eight minutes.
Konawaena had eight turnovers; Hilo had half that total. The Wildcats drilled just 1 of 8 field goals; the Viks went 4 of 10 from the floor.
Pana’s 3-pointer, from a good three feet behind the arc, tied it 37-37 with 4:40 left. The Viking Gym packed house crowd of 700 exploded, well, except for the Wildcat faithful.
Then Pana beat a defender off the dribble for a pretty scoop layup. That pushed Hilo’s lead to 39-37 with 3:03 remaining.
Konawaena ran the clock, and Mikayla Tablit got a clean look, but her 3-pointer rimmed out with under two minutes.
Hilo got the rebound, spread the court, and took a quick shot. Kona got the board, and Chanelle Molina was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws.
The reigning two-time BIIF player of the year noted that the Wildcats fed off the crowd’s energy, even though the vocal support was lopsided. Besides, Molina and Co. are used to pressure games. It comes with being the defending state champion.
“We knew it was Hilo’s Senior night and they would be amped up,” she said. “We were amped up, too. And we were expecting a big crowd.”
After Molina’s free throw, the Viks went down the court and took another early shot.
Kona rebounded, and Victor raced down the floor and scored from two feet. She was fouled and completed the three-point play for a 41-39 lead with 1:24 left.
Hilo’s next two times down the court resulted in turnovers.
Then Cherilyn Molina, who has the same smooth shoulder shot as Chanelle, swished four straight free throws, the last for a 45-39 lead with 12.1 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats have advanced to states the last 14 years. Make it 15 with Friday’s victory. The Vikings have qualified for states the last three years, each time as the BIIF runner-up.
The Viks get a shot to change that part of their history next week as they chase their first BIIF championship since 1996.
Of course, Konawaena also gets the opportunity to extend its tree branch of history, too. And more than likely, when the Wildcats make the drive over to Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, they’ll be taking their two most valuable weapons: discipline and patience.
Konawaena 10 17 8 11 — 46
Hilo 7 11 11 10 — 39