KEALAKEKUA — One way or another, history will be made in the BIIF Division II championship game.
For the first time in more than a decade the title tilt will have a fresh feel to it with Ka’u taking aim at the school’s first girls basketball league title, while Hawaii Preparatory Academy shoots for its first championship since 2007.
Both teams advanced to the finals on Friday at Konawaena High School’s Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
In the early game, No. 4 seed Hawaii Prep upset No. 1 Kamehameha-Hawaii 35-24 to claim a spot in the state tournament for the first time since 2012.
“This was a big win for sure. We really came out with a lot of energy and wanted it,” said Ka Makani head coach Lacey Hester. “At the beginning of the season we knew we had the talent and they wanted to go to states. We lost a lot of tough, close games, but we never doubted ourselves. We knew we would get there.“
In the final D-II semifinal, No. 3 Ka’u faced foul trouble early, but pulled away in the second half for a 47-33 victory over No. 2 Honokaa.
“I wanted to play man defense from the start but unfortunately we had some fouls that did not go our way and had to stick to zone in the first half,” said Trojan’s head coach Cy Lopez. “The fouls reset in the second half and we were able to go back to full court man and press. That was the difference.”
The win was an emotional one for Lopez, who has coached Ka’u with his wife for many years. When asked what it meant for his girls to reach the state tournament for the first time, the tears began to flow.
“As soon as the buzzer hit tonight it was like we won the state title,” Lopez said. “Me and my wife have been coaching here a long time and to feel what they felt after the game, it was emotional. The look on their faces, the happiness and joy, they really wanted this and they got it.”
In a previous meeting this season, Ka’u edged Hawaii Prep by six points. Both teams have motivation to win the BIIF crown.
“We were able to play HPA close before and playing for a BIIF title means a lot,” said HPA junior player Mariah Borce. “I played for Moanalua in the OIA championships, but we lost that one. I want to prove a point that this school belongs in the championship game as well. It’s a team effort.”
“It will be a tough game against HPA,” added Ka’u senior Reishalyn Kekoa-Jara, who has been looking forward to this moment her entire playing career. “We don’t have clubs like Hilo or Kona, we pretty much start playing in high school. To be able to build up that fast and get to this point, it is really emotional. These are happy tears. I’m very happy.”
Ka Makani roll
Hawaii Prep jumped out to a 12-7 first quarter lead and never gave it up from there. Anytime Kamehameha would get close, Ka Makani knocked down a 3-pointer for some breathing room.
“We have some clutch players on this team,” Hester said. “Everyone is on the same page.”
Kyana Brucelas led Hawaii Prep with a double-double, knocking down 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. She added 3 assists and 2 steals.
“She is sturdy, solid as a rock,” Hester said. “She doesn’t get frustrated and is very consistent.”
Brenna Kiyota was put in charge of defending the Warriors’ best player, Dominique Pacheco, who played sparingly in the game after recently returning from an injury.
“When you have your starting point guard, who averages 20 points a game, returning from an injury it can be tough,” said Kamehameha coach Dominic Pacheco. “If the game had been closer down the stretch then maybe we would have pushed her more. A BIIF championship is great, but there is no point risking another injury. A players health comes first.”
Despite not having his best player and daughter at 100 percent, Dominic Pacheco did not use that as an excuse for the loss.
“Hawaii Prep wanted it more than we did,” he said. “They needed the win and we could not match their intensity.”
Meghan Wong scored a team high 8 points for the Warriors. Mihalani Mortenson had seven rebounds.
Kamehameha’s season is not over, having earned a state berth by winning the BIIF regular season.
Trojans tame Dragons
It took nearly three minutes for Honokaa to score the first points of the game against the Trojans, but Ka’u closed out the opening quarter on an 11-0 run. The Dragons cut the deficit down in the second quarter at the free throw line, finally tying the game at 20-20 in the opening minute of the third quarter.
However, from there it was nearly all Ka’u as the team rode double-digit scoring nights by Heidi Vidal and Jara to victory. Vidal and Jara netted 12 points each. Jara added two assists and four rebounds, while Vidal had four steals.
“Heidi is just a freshman and I can tell you her skill level is good,” Lopez said. “When she needs to hit a three, she can hit a three.”
Kaena Tagabi, the only underclassman on a 6-man Honokaa team, led the Dragons in scoring with 17 points. She added 7 rebounds, 4 steals and two assists. Destynee Carvalho grabbed 6 boards to go with her 11 points.
“We are fighters, from the beginning to the end and we showed people what we could do this season,” said Honokaa head coach Keisha Kanekoa. “This season was an emotional roller coaster, but it revealed a lot about the character of the players.”
