KAILUA-KONA — As the final horn sounded, Hawaii Prep could finally celebrate — a moment that was a long time coming for Ka Makani.
Hawaii Prep surged out of the gate, and coasted to a 15-5 victory over Kealakehe at Kona Community Aquatic Center, securing the program’s first title since 2007.
“We have been building and building every year to get to this point,” Hawaii Prep head coach Greg McKenna said, dripping from a celebratory dip in the pool. “I’m so proud of how hard they work, and they love it. Sometimes it’s hard to get them out of the pool. They are committed 100 percent, and when you have that, my job is easy.”
The win had a little extra meaning for a core of four seniors — Ava Jean Johnston, Taylor Doherty, Janelle Laros and Angelique Allison — who have rode the roller coaster of the last four years, battling through adversity and finally finishing with BIIF gold.
“Four years ready,” Laros said, explaining the group’s mantra this season. “It’s so rewarding and surreal, really.”
Ka Makani stormed into the championship conversation in 2015, handing Kamehameha its first league loss in six years. But Hawaii Prep was bounced in the semifinals by Konawaena that season, not getting a chance to play for the title.
Last year, Hawaii Prep finished the regular season unbeaten — knocking off Kamehameha twice — only to watch the Warriors reel off a seventh consecutive title in overtime of the championship game.
This time, Ka Makani left no doubt that they were the golden girls.
“I couldn’t believe it was happening. For us seniors, it was four years in the making and it felt like an even longer journey to get here,” Doherty said, recounting the final seconds ticking off the clock. “This team is like family. It’s special.”
Like it has all year, the Ka Makani attack worked like a well-oiled machine. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for the team to transition from defense to the counter-attack, eventually ending with the ball in the back of the net.
It resembles the Golden State Warriors’ high-powered offense, but instead of on the hardcourt, in the water. And instead of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry — nicknamed the Splash Brothers — Hawaii Prep utilizes the strong-armed Splash Sisters, Johnston and Laros. Both usually find nothing but net when they shoot.
The duo combined for 11 goals in the title game — six for Johnston and five for Laros — a day after teaming up for 12 in the semis.
Five of their goals came in the first quarter, setting the pace against a Kealakehe team that fed off a raucous Kona crowd.
After watching Kealakehe’s semifinal game against Kamehameha, Ka Makani saw first-hand what giving the Waveriders energy could result in. Kealakehe raced out to an early lead in that game and rode the momentum to the most shocking outcome of the season, downing the perennial champs 11-9 to advance.
“It fired us up watching that game. Both teams played great,” Laros said. “We knew they were going to come out swinging so it was important for us to come out strong.”
Skyler Hudson and Hannah Tomlinson each scored twice for Kealakehe, but it wouldn’t be enough to pull out the win.
“It was never easy. Every team brought it this year” Allison said. “We have so much endless love for each other on this team. It’s just amazing.”
Hawaii Prep will have a seeded berth and a bye to the quarterfinals at the HHSAA tournament, which runs from May 1-6.
Since the state tournament started in 2004, a team from the BIIF has never won a title. Hawaii Prep (2007) and Hilo (2005) each have third place finishes on their resumes — best among Big Island squads. Kamehameha has had the most recent success, finishing fourth in 2011 and fifth last season.
The ILH has been the golden standard for girls high school water polo in Hawaii, with the state crown never leaving the league. Punahou has won 11 times — including nine straight — while Kamehameha-Kapalama and Iolani each have a single state banner.
“It’s going to be competitive and fast,” McKenna said. “But I think we have shown that we can be a force to be reckoned with.”
Kealakehe will be back in the pool on May 1 for a first-round matchup at KCAC against an OIA opponent that is still to be determined.
The rest of the tourney will be played on Oahu.
