KAILUA-KONA — Duke vs. North Carolina. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Lakers vs. Celtics. Warriors vs. Ka Makani?
When it comes to BIIF water polo, Kamehameha and Hawaii Prep have provided some of the more memorable games over the last few years, including a double-overtime classic in the title game last season that went the Warriors way.
The “rivalry” added another chapter on Saturday, and behind six goals from Ava Jean Johnston, Ka Makani took the contest 16-5 to make an early statement against the seven-time league champs.
“It’s a little different than any other game we play,” Hawaii Prep head coach Greg McKenna said. “It’s always a highlight when we play against Kamehameha. They challenge us to be better.”
Taylor Doherty added four goals for Hawaii Prep and Janelle Laros also had a pair. Sophomore Cassidy Farias was the only Warrior with multiple goals, notching two.
“We all have countdowns on our computers for the start of water polo season,” Laros said. “There’s a little bit of extra hype to play against Kamehameha, but just to have a good, fast-paced game is a lot of fun.”
Hawaii Prep functioned like a fine-tuned machine, efficiently executing its counter-attack offense. When things were clicking, the ball rarely hit the water on the way down the pool before swishing into the back of the Kamehameha net. The prime example came 15 seconds before half, as Ka Makani made two quick passes before Johnston hurled the ball past the Warriors’ keeper.
But so early in the season, there’s still plenty to work on for a team with title aspirations.
“It’s no secret we like to capitalize on the counterattack. But as teams evolve through the season, they will get better at playing against it,” McKenna said. “Our goal right now is to get better playing in the front court set.”
The key to that will be Laros, a four-year player for Hawaii Prep who primarily plays the hole set. Laros will tell you with a smile, it’s not a position for the faint of heart.
“It’s a scrappy position,” Laros said. “You have to be aggressive.”
As for playing against the Warriors, she said its something she always looks forward to.
“It’s fun to look on the other end of the pool and see a lot of girls we have played against for four years,” Laros said. “Every game is a learning opportunity, especially against Kamehameha.”
Meanwhile, Kamehameha skipper Dan Lyons was anything but discouraged by his team’s effort and downplayed the game being a “rivalry” in the regular season.
“We have always played regular season games the same. It’s all about learning and improving. We will figure out who we are by the end of season,” Lyons said. “A lot of these girls were playing in their first water polo games today.”
And if history is any kind of indicator, there is little reason for the Warriors to panic. Kamehameha dropped both regular season contests to Hawaii Prep last season by a combined score of 35-14, but it was only the final game that mattered.
“If I play all my best players and sit the inexperienced ones, that doesn’t help us down the stretch,” Lyons said. “If we make it to the BIIF tournament, I anticipate I will have a hard time choosing which of my top 13 players start because we are that deep and talented.
“Right now, it’s about getting experience.”
Konawaena (2-1) 15, Hilo (0-3) 12
Jalen Gambee scored five of her eight goals in the fourth quarter and Bailey Walters netted six to lead the Wildcats over the Viks.
Jaelyn Estabilio and Hailey Rosario each had four goals for Hilo.
Hawaii Prep (3-0) 16, Waiakea (1-2) 5
Seven different Ka Makani players found the back of the net, led by a six-pack from Doherty, as Hawaii Prep maintained its stellar form in league play.
Summer Cassidy and Kelee Shimizu each had a pair of goals for the Warriors.
Kealakehe (3-1) 13, Hilo 2
Skyler Hudson scored six and Hannah Tomlinson had five to power Kealakehe past the Vikings.
Estabilio had the only tallies for Hilo, which scored first but then saw the ‘Riders go on a 11-0 run.
Kamehameha (3-1) 6, Waiakea 5
Reina Kuwaye-Tamanaha scored two fourth quarter goals to make it close, but the Warriors hung on for the narrow victory in their second game of the day.
Aubrey Carter netted a hat trick for Kamehameha.
Kealakehe 19, Keaau (0-3) 2
The Waveriders raced out to a 10-0 lead and Maiana Villegas scored six goals in the Waveriders lopsided win over the Cougars. Six other Waveriders found the back of the net.
