Kealakehe got the wins it needed to secure the third seed in the BIIF water polo playoffs.
Then the Waveriders got a chance for a preview against their upcoming playoff opponent.
Kealakehe’s girls put in a hard day’s work Saturday at Naeole Pool in Keaau, playing a rare three-match marathon stretch. In their final contest, Kamehameha tagged the ‘Riders 15-4 behind Emma Kanao’s five goals. The teams will meet up again Friday at Kona Community Aquatic Center in a 5 p.m. league semifinal, and the Warriors (11-1) are searching for an eighth consecutive title.
The 3 p.m. semifinal will match top-seeded Hawaii Prep (11-1) and Konawaena (5-7). The Wildcats grabbed the final playoff spot in the morning, getting eight goals from Jalen Gambee in a 21-6 win against Keaau.
Hilo and Waiakea entered the day with playoff aspirations, but both lost. Waiakea (4-8) gave HPA a good run before losing 8-5. Janelle Laros scored four times for Ka Makani.
The Waveriders (7-5) beat the Vikings (4-8) 9-5, Skylar Hudson scored four goals and Maiana Villegas recorded a hat trick, then they handled the Cougars (0-12) 9-4 as Villegas scored four more.
Kamehameha also tuned up by beating Konawaena 20-6 Lahela Rosario scored six goals and Aubrey Michele Carter added five.
Both of the BIIF’s berths to the HHSAA tournament will be decided in the semifinals, and Saturday’s championship match is scheduled for 10 a.m. at KCAC.
Results
Konawaena 21, Keaau 6
Goal scorers: Konawaena (Jalen Gambee 8, Payton Walters 4, Bailey Walters 3, Riley Walters 2, Hannah Parker, Amara Ascuncion, Sydney Suzuki); Keaau (Callie Pettijohn 2, Genesis Andrewson-Aitogi 2, Liana Prudholm 2)
Kealakehe 9, Hilo 5
Goal scorers: Kealakehe (Skylar Hudson 4, Maiana Villegas 3, Hannah Tomlinson 2); Hilo (Amy Patterson 2, Laurie McGrath, Mahala Kaapuni, Emma Laliberte
HAWAII PREP 8, Waiakea 5
Goal scorers: HPA (Janelle Larson 4, Ava Jean Johnston 2, Kira Parker, Jackie Payne); Waiakea (Kelee Shimizu 2, Cassie Emnase, Reina Kuwahe-Tamanaha, Ashley Rynkewicz)
KAMEHAMEHA 20, KONAWAENA 6
Goal scorers: Kamehameha (Lahela Rosario 6, Aubrey Michele Carter 5, Seizen Alameda 3, Cassidy Farias 2, Emma Kanoa 2, Chianti Motta, Kaua Kane-Kalua); Konawaena (Jalen Gambee 3, Payton Walters 2, Nicole Demers)
Kealakehe 9, Keaau 4
Goal scorers: Kealakehe (Maiana Villegas 4, Faith Hernandez 2, Hannah Tomlinson 2, Tegan Harrs); Keaau (Faith West 2, Tiara Halama, Callie Pettijohn)
KAMEHAMEHA 15, Kealakehe 4
Goal scorers: Kamehameha (Emma Kanoa 5, Cassidy Farias 3, Lahela Rosario 3, Aubrey Michele Carter 2, Seizen Alameda 2); Kealakehe (Hailey Yessis 2, Skylar Hudson, Maiana Villegas)