If you’ve ever thought to yourself that there is nothing to do in Hilo, Friday night would like a word with you.
What’s your pleasure?
In one corner is what is fast becoming one of Hilo’s favorite pastimes, Just Scrap, and in the other is the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. In between, is America’s pastime and the main event as far as baseball fans at Hilo, Waiakea, Kamehameha and Konawaena fans are concerned.
This was always going to be a busy weekend on the high school scene with five BIIF sports holding their championships, but the Globetrotters’ first visit to Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in four years and the first mixed martial card at Edith Kanaka’ole Multipurpose in five months only spice things up.
If fights or basketball frivolity are not your thing — both start at 7 p.m. — then the BIIF provides plenty of options.
A pair of softball championship softball series Game 1s start at 3 p.m., with Waiakea hosting Kealakehe in Division I and Kohala visiting Kamehameha in Division II. Also at 3 p.m. are the water polo semifinals at Kamehameha’s Naeole Pool.
At Wong Stadium are a pair of Game 1s, starting at 3 p.m. with Division II. Kamehameha swept Konawaena during the regular season without yielding a run, but the Wildcats have the pitching pedigree to keep games close against the four-time defending champion Warriors and ace Brandyn Lee-Lehano.
Speaking of aces, Waiakea’s Makoa Andres twice beat Hilo, including a no-hitter back in early March. The Vikings’ top pitcher, Joey Jarneski, hasn’t faced Waiakea this season, but that is sure to change in the finals.
Of course, if you opt for the Globetrotters or Just Scrap, the BIIF will back in full swing on Saturday with Game 2s in baseball and softball as well as water polo and judo championships at 10:30 a.m. at Waiakea.
For one weekend at least, there is plenty to do in Hilo.
