KEAAU – First, Kealakehe passed the ball from one side of the cage to the other, then centered it to the 2-meter spot for a score.
Next, the Waveriders connected four clean passes, setting up a point-blank shot on the weak side.
“Two absolutely picture-perfect offensive goals,” coach Derek Monell said.
And his team saved its best work for the defensive end of Naeole Pool on Saturday morning, stonewalling Hilo for the better part of 6-2 victory as the Waveriders clinched a spot in the BIIF water polo playoffs.
Kealakehe (4-4) was thinking shutout until the Vikings (2-7) finally scored midway through the fourth quarter. In sync again and back all alone in third place, Monell was in a much better mood than he was Wednesday after a loss to Konawaena.
“Our defense really worked well as a team and operated as a team, which was real nice,” Monell said.
“It’s great when the goalie releases the ball and you don’t lose it on a silly (play). We played ball-control.”
Skyler Hudson netted two goals for Kealakehe and took an entertaining turn as goalkeeper, and Maiana Villegas, Hannah Tomlinson, Tiara Conn and Vanea Dawson each scored once.
Hilo coach Malia Tallett got vocal as she implored her team to take shots, often to no avail. The Waveriders clogged much of the pool until Lokelani Ferreira and Ashleigh Kahawaiola’a finally scored for the Vikings.
“It’s just a matter of self-confidence,” Tallett said. “That’s the only hiccup. They hold the ball, they do a fabulous job, but they don’t put it away.”
Kealakehe’s defensive game plan left it vulnerable to corner shots, but goalkeepers Helen Remke and Brooke Escamilla proved up to the task, and the Vikings had their share of misfires.
Monell was pleased Kealakehe was only called for two exclusion fouls, though one was on its goalkeeper, so Hudson went to the net to face a 5-meter shot, and by rule she was only able to use one hand. Hilo’s player fired the ball over the net.
“Skyler gets our honorary goalie award,” Monell said.
Back in 2009, Hilo was the last school to win a BIIF title before Kamehameha began its current six-year reign, but the Vikings haven’t been to the HHSAA tournament since.
A game and a half behind Konawaena in the standings, if HPA beats the Wildcats on Wednesday, the Vikings can force a BIIF play-in game with a win against Konawaena next Saturday at Kona Community Aquatic Center on the final day of the regular season.
“I have maybe one of two swimmers,” Tallett said. “It’s fantastic that they can compete with the other teams. To me it’s not about the score, it about the quality of the game, and they get better and better. Once they figure out they deserve to be here and know more than anybody else in the pool, they’ll be unstoppable.”
Kamehameha 17, Konawaena 8
Alyssa Pelanca put home seven goals and Lahela Rosario added five as the Warriors (8-1) tuned up for their showdown next Saturday against HPA.
Aaliyah Butler led the Wildcats (3-5) with four goals.
HPA 14, Waiakea 3
Janelle Laros and Elizabeth Jim each recorded hat tricks as Ka Makani (7-0) remained unbeaten.
The Warriors (1-8) were eliminated from playoff contention.