HONOLULU — The Big Island has officially been bounced for a chance at a state title in boys basketball.
A rough Wednesday slate saw the final three standing BIIF squads — Kamehameha-Hawaii, Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Honokaa — sent packing at the HHSAA state tournament on Oahu.
Hawaii Prep, the BIIF’s D-II champ, had the best chance at a victory, leading comfortably at half in its quarterfinal matchup before watching Kauai go on a 21-6 run in the third quarter on the way to a 53-50 victory.
Ka Makani (13-5) battled back to lead with just over a minute left at 50-48, but the Red Raiders quickly tied it up and Gunnar Burkman hit a 3-pointer with four seconds to go to give Kauai the victory.
Kelsen-Jaye Walker netted a team-high 12 points for Ka Makani, while Michael Hughes had 11.
Kauai (11-4) shot 56 percent from 3-point land for the game, making 7 of 12 attempts in the second half. CJ Cromartie had 19 for the Red Raiders, while Burkman notched 14 with four 3-pointers drained.
On the Division I side, Kamehameha-Hawaii (22-4) had a hard time containing Kahuku (26-4) big man Tolu Smith. The 6-foot-10 center scored 17 and hauled in eight rebounds in Kahuku’s lopsided 62-37 win over the BIIF champs.
Nalu Kahapea recorded a game-high 19 for the Warriors, but it wasn’t enough to keep their title hopes alive.
Honokaa (13-14) tipped off late for its matchup against Kalani (12-4) after a last-minute venue change, but the Dragons could never get going after a slow start.
Honokaa scored five points in the first and third quarters combined, as the Falcons coasted to the 51-33 win.
Kamuela Spencer-Herring logged 15 points for the Dragons.
All the teams will stick around on Oahu for the consolation matches today.
It’s the first time in at least a decade that the BIIF will not have a team in either division’s semifinal round.
