KAILUA-KONA — Kealakehe head coach Chris Chang had a simple message for his team before the BIIF semifinals on Friday at Kona Aquatic Center — anyone is beatable.
Simple, indeed, but facing Kamehameha-Hawaii — a program that has been largely unbeatable on the Big Island for the better part of a decade — it was a useful reminder, and one that would pay off.
The Waveriders stunned the seven-time defending champion Warriors 11-9, securing a spot in the BIIF championship and the program’s first HHSAA state tournament berth since 2014.
“The girls came together, worked together and believed,” Chang said. “That’s what made the difference today.”
Senior Skyler Hudson ignited the Waverider offense with six goals, including two game-changing tallies in the fourth quarter. On the other side of the pool, goalkeeper Helen Remke kept the Warriors attack at bay with a slew of big saves, especially down the stretch.
“We are so stoked,” Hudson said. “Coming in we were really hoping for the best, and this was the best outcome we could have imagined.”
Kealakehe will face Hawaii Preparatory Academy for the BIIF title, which walloped Konawaena 20-5 in the other semifinal matchup.
Kamehameha’s loss assured there will be a new champion for the first time in seven years. The Waveriders have never won a league title in water polo, while Ka Makani are seeking their first since 2007.
“It’s not the end of an era — it’s more the continuation of the story,” Kamehameha head coach Dan Lyons said. “Will the girls play with a chip on their shoulder next time — I’m sure they will. Maybe they needed that today. But this is the kind of game that becomes that chip on your shoulder. We are very young, so a lot of these girls will be back.”
Kamehameha had outscored Kealakehe 30-10 in two regular season matchups, but Lyons assured they had no reason to sleep on the Waveriders, which had showed glimpses of greatness during the year.
“Our girls played hard and played well, but the best team won today,” Lyons said. “They are disappointed, but in the end, it’s just a game. I don’t think there is anything for our girls to hang their heads about.”
Kealakehe grabbed the early momentum with a 4-1 first quarter lead. However, the Warriors responded with a 5-1 run, taking a 6-5 lead into the half. It remained a one-goal game until the fourth quarter, where three consecutive Waveriders tallies — two from Hudson — gave them a four-goal cushion with just a tick over three minutes remaining.
But even with the late lead, Kealakehe never counted the champs out. Kamehameha made a run, scoring twice, but it wasn’t enough, as the final buzzer set off a frenzied celebration for the Waveriders.
“We didn’t want to get pumped up and then lose,” Kealakehe junior Hannah Tomlinson said. “I don’t think it was until the final seconds that we relaxed and felt like we had actually done it.”
“We were trying to stay calm,” Remke added. “Relaxed and steady.”
Kamehameha had its chances, including a bunch of shots that bounced off the post. But Remke did her best impression of a brick wall, making more than a few tide-turning stops, including an athletic diving save in the third quarter that looked destined for the back of the net.
“I thought that ball was going in,” Chang said. “Somehow she got over and saved it. She’s incredible.”
The modest Kealakehe keeper didn’t take too much credit, instead focusing on the efforts of her teammates.
”I try to do my best for these girls,” Remke said. “They make me want to be a better goalie.”
Hawaii Prep rolls past Wildcats, into title game
The strong-armed duo of Janelle Laros and Ava Jean Johnston combined for a dozen goals — six apiece — as Ka Makani defeated Konawaena 20-5.
With the win, Ka Makani earned a second consecutive trip to the state tournament.
For most of the season, Hawaii Prep looked to be on a collision course with rival Kamehameha. The teams split the regular season series, and the Warriors extinguished Ka Makani’s title hopes in overtime of the championship game last season.
But instead, Hawaii Prep’s path to a championship unexpectedly runs through Kealakehe, a team that pushed them to overtime in a regular season matchup.
“They always challenge us,” Hawaii Prep head coach Greg McKenna said. “We feel our programs have grown along side each other. We had always been chasing Kamehameha, but with a little motivation, you can do a lot. I know it’s going to be a battle.”