While Kohala girls basketball had its best season in over three decades, none of it would have been possible without star guard Kalia Marquez.
With the Cowgirls winning their first Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) title since 1991 this past season, the senior was awarded with one the highest athletic honors in the state. Last week, Marquez was one of two Big Island athletes given Scoring Live All-Hawaii honors — being named to the second team for her brilliancy on the court as a floor general.
Marquez, a multi-sport athlete at Kohala, took her senior season off in volleyball to focus on her last hurrah in basketball — a decision she claims wasn’t easy, but worth it.
“It was a true honor to be named to the All-Hawaii Second Team, and a reminder that the years of hard work and dedication have paid off,” Marquez told West Hawaii Today. “This recognition meant even more because of the sacrifices I made leading up to the basketball season. I gave up my senior year of volleyball — another sport that I love — to focus on training for basketball and softball. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew it was the best path for my growth in being the leader I wanted to be in those respective sports.
“This achievement made every extra practice, workout and hard decision feel truly worthwhile.”
Marquez began playing basketball when she was five years old, and hasn’t put down the ball since. While she played her first two seasons of high school ball for Kamehameha-Kapalama, she always longed to play for her hometown. In her junior season, that dream became a reality, and she returned to North Hawaii.
“I always wished I could play with Kohala again, so coming back and ending my high school career with the league championship alongside the girls I grew up with was everything,” Marquez said. “When people say ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ Kohala is the epitome of that word, ‘village.’ This community, my former coaches, my parents, family and friends have shaped me into not just the player I am, but the person I am — with heart and pride in where I come from.”
Marquez averaged 12.7 points for the Cowgirls in 2024-25, leading the black and gold in scoring. She scored a season high of 23 points against Ka‘u on Dec. 21, 2024, and on Honoka‘a on Jan. 23. The star guard was also a menace on the defensive end, logging five-or-more steals in seven games — including a 10-steal performance against Christian Liberty Academy on Jan. 7.
In the BIIF Division II Championship against Pahoa on Jan. 29, Marquez posted 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals in the win. She was additionally Kohala’s leading scorer in the state tournament.
While the Cowgirls fell to Hanalani in the state semifinals, Marquez was still proud of everything the group accomplished to make it that far.
“We had an unforgettable season this year,” she said. “We set out to win the BIIF championship. Our team worked so hard, and I was so proud to share the win with the girls who have been by my side through it all.
“My favorite memory of this season is celebrating the BIIF championship win, cutting down the net and receiving our medals. It was a full-circle moment for me.”
Since Kohala was playing in bigger games than usual in 2024-25, Marquez admitted there was extra pressure to perform, but reminded herself to focus on the things she could control. She also credited her father, Cowgirls athletic trainer Robin Marquez, for being a crutch throughout the season.
“One of the biggest personal challenges this season was staying mentally strong through tough games and high expectations,” Kalia Marquez explained. “I focused on controlling the controllables and letting go of the things I could not. My dad being the athletic trainer and having him by my side through the season really helped me.”
While Marquez is still undecided for college, she plans to study business. But no matter what adventure she takes on next, Marquez knows she’ll always have her family and the Kohala community backed in her corner, and won’t ever forget the influence they have on her.
“To my parents and family, thank you for everything,” Marquez said. “I wouldn’t be the athlete or person I am today without the endless love, support and sacrifices you’ve made to give me every opportunity. Thank you to all my coaches over the years for pushing me, believing in me and helping me grow. I’m beyond grateful for every person who has played a part in my journey.”
