Here are the Big Island teams that are still alive in the upcoming state tournaments and a little bit about each squad.
• Division I girls basketball
Waiakea Warriors
(9-3 BIIF, 1-0 tournament)
Head coach: Brandon Kauhi
Last title: 1986
The road so far: Despite leading at half, the Warriors were trounced by Konawaena in the BIIF D-I final 48-29. However, the young squad bounced back with a first round tournament victory over Campbell, 77-56 on Monday. Being the BIIF runner-up is no knock against Waiakea when Konawaena is the competition. The Warriors have the potential to be the last unseeded team standing.
Players to watch: Kelsie Imai (sophomore, guard); Jazelle Dorser (freshman, guard); Keeli-Jade Smith (sophomore, forward); Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan (junior, guard)
Next up: Quarterfinal vs. No. 4 seed Kalani (11-2), today at 7 p.m.
Konawaena Wildcats
(12-0 BIIF)
Co-head coaches: Bobbie and Dawnyelle Awa
Last title: 2017 (three-time defending champs)
The road so far: A pair of preseason losses to top contenders Maryknoll and Lahainaluna might have tempered expectations around the state for the Wildcats, but there’s not reason to think the Kealakekua squad won’t be in the mix this week for a state title. Konawaena yet again ran through the BIIF unbeaten on the way to a 10th consecutive title, wrapping up a decade of dominance. When it comes to the big stage, experience is key, and the Wildcats have it.
Players to watch: Cherilyn Molina (senior, guard); Mikayla Tablit (senior, guard); Caiyle Kaupu (sophomore, forward/center); Kawena Kaohimaunu (senior, guard)
Next up: Quartefinals vs. Moanalua (10-4)
• Division II girls basketball
Honokaa Dragons (7-4 BIIF, 1-0 tournament)
Head coach: Aaron Tanimoto
Last title: 2015
The road so far: Under first-year head coach Aaron Tanimoto, the Dragons fell just short of upending three-time champion Kamehameha-Hawaii for the BIIF title. Nonetheless, Honokaa enters the state tournament with high hopes. The Dragons did score a 29-28 victory over the private school Warriors during the regular season, which was undoubtedly their biggest W of the year. Honokaa kicked off their state tourney with a 32-13 trouncing of Seabury Hall on Wednesday night.
Players to watch: Bella Fernandez (senior, center); Kui’lei Aikau (senior, guard); Kayla Branco (senior, guard/forward)
Next up: Quarterfinals vs. No. 4 seed Kauai (8-0), today 5 p.m.
Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (8-4 BIIF)
Head coach: Weston Willard
Last title: 2013
The road so far: Behind a core of four senior starters, the Warriors reeled off a third consecutive D-II BIIF crown, downing Honokaa 32-29 in a thrilling BIIF finale. Kamehameha — the No. 2 seed — has some unfinished business in the state tournament, finishing runner-up the last two seasons.
Players to watch: Saydee Aganus (senior, guard); Taylor-James Sullivan (senior, forward); Jordyn Mantz (senior, guard); McKenzie Kalawaia (senior, forward)
Next up: Quarterfinals vs. Le Jardin (10-6), today 5 p.m.
• Division I girls soccer
Konawaena Wildcats (9-3-1 BIIF)
Head coach: Kaua Wall
Last title: N/A
The road so far: Under first-year head coach Kaua Wall, the Wildcats earned a 9-3-1 record playing out of the BIIF’s White Division (the middle of three tiers). Konawaena won a coin-toss to garner the No. 1 seed in the BIIF tournament, knocking off rival Kealakehe 4-0 in the semifinals before falling to Hilo by the same score in a physical title game. The Wildcats are returning to the tournament for the first time since 2014. That year, Konawaena won a quarterfinal match before losing to eventual state champion Mililani in the semis.
Players to watch: Nanea Wall (junior, midfield/defense); Nalani Wall (senior, midfield/forward); Kaiya Denis (senior, defense); Kynah Blas (sophomore, goalie)
Next up: First round match against Pearl City, Monday at 3 p.m. at Konawaena
Hilo Vikings (11-1-1 BIIF)
Head coach: Skee Saplan
Last title: N/A
The road so far: The Vikings polished off a stellar season with a third consecutive BIIF title. Hilo’s lone loss came to BIIF D-II juggernaut Hawaii Prep in some wild weather to open the season. The Lady Viks had tied Konawaena 1-1 earlier in the year, but proved to be the superior squad in the championship, coasting to a 4-0 victory. Hilo has had the unfortunate luck of losing to the eventual state champion the past two seasons in the quarterfinals — Iolani in 2017 and Pearl City in ‘16. As the No. 3 seed in the state tournament, the Viks are hoping their luck will change this time around.
Players to watch: Miya Clarke (junior, forward); Saydee Bacdad (junior, goalie); Hollie Saplan (junior, midfield); Jordyn Pacheco (junior, forward); Caneel Corpuz (sophomore, fullback)
Next up: Quarterfinals vs. Moanalua/TBD ILH opponent, Tuesday at 3 p.m. on Oahu
• Division II girls soccer
Makua Lani Lions (4-8-1 BIIF)
Last title: N/A
Head coach: Riley Alcos
The road so far: The Lions roared into the state tournament, defeating Honokaa 4-0 to earn the BIIF’s third berth. Last season, Makua Lani beat OIA foe Kalaheo on PKs to advance to the quarterfinals for a second consecutive year. They will look to improve on that results, but are on the same side of the bracket as a hungry Hawaii Prep squad.
Players to watch: Halle Nottage (senior); Elizabeth Evans (freshman); Witney O’Halloran (junior)
Next up: First round vs. Radford, Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Oahu
Hawaii Prep Ka Makani (11-2 BIIF)
Head coach: Steve Perry
Last title: 2017 (four-time defending champs)
The road so far: Hawaii Prep rolled through the regular season, the only speedbump being a 3-0 loss to Hilo on the east side of the island. That was until Kamehameha shocked Ka Makani in the D-II championship to deny the program its ninth consecutive BIIF title. In the muddy match — which featured a fog filled first 15 minutes — the teams played to a scoreless tie through regulation and two overtime periods. Kamehameha eventually edged Hawaii Prep 5-4 on penalty kicks. Ka Makani still have another streak alive to maintain, however. Hawaii Prep is seeking to becoming the first program to win five consecutive titles, which would break a tie with Punahou, which won four in-a-row from 1983-86. The feat will just take an extra game, as Ka Makani are making a rare unseeded appearance in the tourney.
Players to watch: Emi Higgins (junior, forward); Teah Van Bergen (senior, midfield); Julia Perry (senior, defense); Jordan Zarate (senior, midfield)
Next up: First round vs. Nanakuli, Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Oahu
Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (9-4 BIIF)
Head coach: Joshua Woodard
Last title: 2008
The road so far: After a pair of losses to open the season, the Warriors couldn’t be happier with where they currently sit. Following a thrilling upset victory over Hawaii Prep in the BIIF final, the tournament committee gave the Warriors the top seed in the D-II state tournament. Kamehameha avoided a seventh consecutive BIIF runner-up finish at the hands of Ka Makani, outlasting the defending champs on PKs, avenging a 4-1 regular season loss.
Players to watch: Hevanilea Haunga (senior, forward); Kiani Troy (senior, goalkeeper); Hiilei Wong Yuen (senior); Kailey Aiona (senior)
Next up: Quarterfinals vs. winner of Le Jardin/Leilehua, Thursday at 3 p.m. on Oahu
Notes: The HHSAA Canoe Paddling Championships will be held Saturday at Hilo Bay. The BIIF is sending 10 crews (four boys, three girls, three mixed). The BIIF’s lone gold at states came from Konawaena’s 2008 mixed crew coached by Paul Dauherty … The HHSAA Swimming Championships are Feb 9-10, followed by the boys basketball and soccer championships, which will be held Feb. 12-17… Wrestling wraps up the winter season of state tournaments from Feb. 14-15 on Oahu. An additional primer will run for those tournaments.
