The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) basketball season continued Thursday night on the island. Girls playoffs begin this weekend, with the finals being held Wednesday night. Location of the championship matchups is to be determined (as of Friday afternoon). See the paper in the coming days for updates and coverage.
KSH 48, Pahoa 45
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i girls basketball closed its regular season in thrilling fashion escaping the visiting Pahoa Lady Daggers 48-45 in Kea‘au. The Lady Warriors also closed the slate on a three-game win streak heading into the playoffs.
Trailing 16-12 at halftime after being held to just one point in the second quarter, KSH adjusted out of halftime and responded with a 19-point third quarter followed by a 17-point fourth. This was enough for the 12-5 Lady Warriors to seal the victory.
Kacie Feebo-Santiago, who averages nearly 16 points per game for KSH, scored a game-high 15 points. Teammate Xiona Yagin added 10 with two 3-pointers made. Shailan Benevides and Melony Urbina also scored seven each. The Lady Warriors average nearly 43 points per game while allowing under 34.
10-2 Pahoa had four double-digit scorers — Sophia Moniz (14), Remedy Gonzalez (12) and Azariyah Brown (10). The Lady Daggers average 48 points per game while allowing 31.9.
Both teams are expected to have a spot in the BIIF playoffs.
Kohala 66, Honoka‘a 21
Kohala girls basketball ended its regular-season slate on a high note against the Lady Dragons in Honoka‘a town.
The 15-3 Cowgirls blasted the hosts 66-21, securing themselves in the island playoffs with a 10-2 conference record.
Kohala’s 22-3 first-quarter run set the tone for the evening, out-scoring the Lady Dragons in each period. The Cowgirls tallied 23 steals, putting forth an incredible defensive effort.
Senior Kalia Marquez, who averages 11.3 points per game for Kohala, led her group with a game-high 23 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and five steals. Teammate Loryn-Rose Carvalho scored 16 points and swiped for nine steals. Kailani Valenzuela-Conte also earned four steals of her own.
Honoka‘a had no double-digit scorers, but was led by Kili Correia-Tavoi with seven points. Teammate Ava Tabucbuc scored five. The Lady Dragons fell to 4-10 overall and 4-8 in the BIIF.
Averaging over 51 points per game and allowing just under 28, Kohala enters the BIIF playoffs as one of the more formidable teams. The Cowgirls are widely expected to make the state tournament, which begins Feb. 3.
Kealakehe 58, Waiakea 45
After dropping the previous two games, Kealakehe boys basketball got back on track with a 58-45 road win over Waiakea in Hilo town. The Waveriders moved to 10-6 overall, while the Warriors dropped to 8-8.
With Kealakehe leading just 25-24 at the half, the Waveriders took their offense up a notch in the second half, scoring 33 points while allowing 21.
‘Riders leading scorer DeMarion Olloway, who averages 17 points per game, notched a game-high 23 points. Teammate Michael Miller added nine, while Isaac Cho had eight. The blue and white’s offense has been on a roll in island play, averaging 67 points per game — also allowing 47.5.
Ethan Hough led Waiakea with 14 points, while swingman Josiah Amuimuia scored 12. Kaleo Respicio added six. The hosts average nearly 56 points per game in the BIIF while allowing 38.
Kealakehe will next play Hilo on Tuesday night in Kona town, while the Warriors will take the hardwood against the Dragons on Monday night in Honoka‘a town.