HILO — Ka‘u girls basketball, one of the island’s top teams, had a successful business trip Thursday night in its road matchup at Waiakea High School — routing the Lady Warriors 46-28.
The Lady Trojans set the tone early, winning the first quarter 16-3. The huge early deficit for Waiakea ended up deciding the game, as the remaining quarters were much closer.
Ka‘u’s Jazmyn Navarro, who is averaging 20 points a night in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF), scored a game-high 17 points. Teammate Leahi Kaupu, who averages 11.5 points a night in league play as the Lady Trojans’ No. 2 option, added 11 points.
Lady Warriors star Shaylee Kahauolopua, who averages a team-high 10.2 points per game on the season, added 11 points to lead her group. Teammates Kyra Ganir-Palma and Sadie Calma combined for 10.
Ka‘u is off to a strong start to the season at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league play, averaging 41 points per game while allowing 31.4. The Lady Trojans’ next test will come against Kealakehe on Tuesday in Pahala.
Waiakea fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the BIIF, scoring an average of 36.5 points per game. The Lady Warriors will aim to get back on track against Christian Liberty Academy on Monday in Hilo.
KSH 48, Kea‘au 15
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i girls basketball blasted the visiting Kea‘au Lady Cougars on Thursday night on the Lady Warriors’ home floor. The 48-16 win was KSH’s fifth BIIF win of the season, remaining unbeaten in that category. It was the winners’ third victory in a row.
The Lady Warriors’ stingy defense made it difficult for Kea‘au to find an offensive rhythm early, winning the opening quarter 15-0. KSH kept it up, going into the half leading 27-2. The second half was more of the same, but the Lady Cougars were able to find some juice. Still, the Lady Warriors outscored the visitors 21-13 in the final 16 minutes of action.
KSH star Kacie Febo-Santiago, who leads the team in scoring at 13 points per contest, added a game-high 23 points. Running mate Shailan Benevides added 10 of her own with two 3-pointers, followed by Lady Warrior Melony Urbina with seven points.
No Kea‘au player reached double figures in scoring, but Blessyng Rosario led the Lady Cougars with seven points. Teammate Lenzy Adlawan had four.
KSH moves to 7-3 overall and 5-0 in the BIIF, averaging nearly 48 points per game in the league while allowing an impressive 23.8. The Lady Warriors will look to keep their win streak going in their next matchup against Konawaena on Monday night inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium in Kealakekua.
The Lady Cougars fell to 1-4 overall. Their next test will be held against Parker School on Dec. 21 at Kea‘au High School.
Honoka‘a 85, Parker 32
Honoka‘a boys basketball won its third straight by beating the visiting Parker Bulls in a 53-point rout on Thursday inside the Dragons’ gymnasium. Honoka‘a won 85-32.
The Dragons tied their highest-scoring outburst of the season, which included a 30-point second quarter. Honoka‘a’s Kukia Tagbi, who leads all DII state players in scoring at 32.3 points per game in the BIIF, dropped 29 points. Teammate David Aiona, who has established himself as the Dragons’ No. 2 scorer at 17.3 points per game in conference play, added 14. Teammate Raven Labrador chipped in 12 points.
The Bulls’ Ethan Scmitt, who leads Parker at 10 points per game, scored 10 in the loss — the only player on his team that reached double-scoring figures. Teammate Barry Daoust Jr. added nine.
Honoka‘a improved to 3-0 in the BIIF and 3-4 overall. The Dragons’ offense continues to shine since the team began its BIIF schedule, averaging 78.3 points per game in the conference while allowing just under 50. The team’s impressive +29.3 net rating in the BIIF leads the island.
Honoka‘a will next host Ka‘u on Dec. 27 at home.
Parker is still in search of win No. 1 of the season at 0-4 in the BIIF and 0-6 overall. The Bulls will next host Kealakehe on Wednesday in Waimea.
Kalani 48, Kohala 39
In a Thursday non-conference matchup, Kohala boys basketball traveled to Honolulu to play the Kalani Falcons, ultimately falling 48-39.
The Cowboys’ Royden Tabiolo led with a game-high 14 points and four 3-pointers made. Teammate Isaiah Antonio added nine.
On Kalani’s side, Kevin Wu and Sylan Kobayashi combined for 26 points. Teammate Keisen Takamiya added six.
Kohala (2-4 overall, 1-0 BIIF) will return to Kapa‘au for their home opener on Tuesday night against Laupahoehoe inside King Kamehameha Park Gymnasium. The team’s ring ceremony and banner reveal from the 2023-24 DII state title will take place prior to tipoff. See next week’s paper to read up on the exciting evening.
