BIIF basketball: Wildcats win again, Dragons handle Ka Makani

Swipe left for more photos

Konawaena sophomore Mikela Salazar-Harrell (No. 3, white) brings the ball up the floor against Honoka‘a’s Rylee Velazquez (No. 21, green) on Wednesday at Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. Salazar-Harrell finished with a game-high 16 points in the win. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)
Wildcats senior Tavina Harris attempts to lay the ball in Wednesday against the Dragons in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. Konawaena won 67-15. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)
Dragons sophomore ‘Ilima Napoleon lines up for free throws against the Wildcats on Wednesday in Kealakekua. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)
Konawaena sophomore Kaylie Yamasaki pushes the pace against Honoka‘a on Wednesday in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)
Wildcats tenth grader Joey Hiraishi attempts a layup in Konawaena’s 67-15 win over Honoka‘a on Wednesday in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. Hiraishi scored 10 points. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)
Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

KEALAKEKUA — Even on back-to-backs, Konawaena girls basketball’s offense fails to slow down.

The Wildcats routed their opposition for the second straight night on Wednesday, beating Honoka‘a 67-15 in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.

Konawaena’s ball movement, depth and aggressive inside scoring proved to be too much for the Dragons, as the Wildcats had three players score in double figures — Mikela Salazar-Harrell with 15 points, Tavina Harris with 13 and Joey Hiraishi with 10. Kona has averaged an impressive 76.7 points per game thus far in the season, making them the island’s highest-scoring team.

Honoka‘a’s top scorers were Rylee Velazquez with six points and ‘Ilina Napoleon with five.

The Wildcats (9-2 overall, 3-0 Big Island Interscholastic Federation) will next take the court against Waiakea at 7 p.m. Monday in Kealakekua. The Dragons (3-3 overall, 1-2 BIIF) will travel to face Pahoa at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the road.

Dragons edge Ka Makani in BIIF opener

Honoka‘a boys basketball beat Hawaii Prep 57-52 Wednesday, earning their first win of the season against BIIF competition.

Ka Makani led at halftime, but the Dragons exploded in the second half, including a 25-point third quarter that set the stage for victory. Mauloa Tagabi scored a game-high 18 points, while teammate Chance Flavin-Kahookaulana chipped in 17 of his own.

HPA was led by Bruce Lee, who dropped 13 points.

Honoka‘a (2-2 overall, 1-0 BIIF) will take a few days off before hitting the road to play Waiakea at 7 p.m. Monday in Hilo. Ka Makani (0-3 overall, 0-2 BIIF) will aim to right the ship against Waiakea at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Hilo.

Kohala vs. Parker cancelled

The Cowgirls’ home matchup against Parker girls was postponed Wednesday due to a referee shortage. A make-up date is to be determined.