KEAAU – Leave it to a freshman — standout forward Jazelle Dorser — to rescue Waiakea, which couldn’t capitalize on a plethora of Kamehameha turnovers (24 overall) and had ice-cold shooting in the first half (15 percent).
Still, Dorser scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter to lift the Warriors over Kamehameha 43-37 in a BIIF girls basketball game on Friday night at Koai’a Gym, where shooting accuracy took extended coffee breaks.
Kelsie Imai scored 16 points while Dorser and Bethany Honma each had eight points to lead visiting Waiakea (6-0), which shot 27 percent (12 of 44) from the field and made 16 of 23 free throws.
Saydee Aganus slashed for 14 points and Hera Salmeron splashed three triples for 11 points for the host Division II Warriors (4-2), who buried 37 percent (14 of 38) from the floor and nailed just 5 of 10 free throws.
Waiakea had 14 turnovers, but Kamehameha outscored the visitors 7-5 off free gifts. The visitors couldn’t get their transition attack in gear and scored zero points on fast-breaks.
The D-I Warriors missed all kinds of shots from long range (3 of 14), under the basket, and mid-range jump shots. They trailed 31-27 heading into the final eight minutes. Then it was Dorser time.
The lanky freshman, with the pretty shooting mechanics, first scored under the basket off an Imai pass. Then swished a shot from the free throw line, followed by a straightaway 18 footer. That pushed Waiakea ahead 33-31.
Kamehameha briefly tied it on Dominique Pacheco’s layup. Then Imai answered with a floater, and Dorser was fouled and buried two free throws for a 37-33 lead that wasn’t relinquished.
It was a significant win for Waiakea, which remains in the hunt for BIIF regular season title and the league’s first berth to the HHSAA tournament.
Coach Brandon Kauhi’s Warriors have two D-I monster road matchups next week. They play at Konawaena on Wednesday and at Hilo on Friday at the Vikings Gym. That will likely determine if Waiakea has a state berth or needs to earn it at the BIIF playoffs.
In the first half, Waiakea grabbed a 20-18 halftime lead despite shooting just 15 percent (4 of 27) from the field against Kamehameha’s 3-2 zone. The visitors nailed 3 of 11 from 3-point range. Honma had the lone jump shot, and rest of the points came on free throws.
The D-I Warriors applied a 1-2-2 full-court press and trapping half-court defense to force 14 turnovers. They had just four giveaways. Despite all those free gift, Waiakea and Kamehameha each scored five points off turnovers.
Imai, a sophomore guard, was a dominant force in the first period, scoring 11 points, hitting two 3-pointers and going 5 of 6 from the free throw line.
Aganus was consist over two quarters with 10 points, dropping in four layups, for Kamehameha, which switched to a man defense in the fourth quarter, kicking off Dorser’s hot streak.
Waiakea 13 7 7 16 — 37
Kamehameha 8 10 13 6 — 43
Hilo 39, Honokaa 19: Mindy Kawaha scored 11 points as the Vikings won a low-scoring affair on their home court to improve to 5-1.
Mela Vaka added eight for Hilo, which led 19-10 at the half.
Kayla Branco led the Dragons with five points.
Konawaena 98, Ka’u 3: Cherilyn Molina scored 27 points as the Wildcats (6-0) dominated in Pahala.