During an otherwise low-stakes BIIF girls basketball regular-season finale, Kohala’s Kiana Kauka put up a highlight-reel performance.
Kauka scored 37 points Saturday night, and the Cowgirls pushed past Keaau 74-65 in overtime in Kapaau.
Kauka made 14 field goals and nine free throws to record what is believed to be the high-scoring game of the BIIF season — girls or boys.
She surpassed the 35 points Parker’s Conner Brown scored against Pahoa in December, and the Cowgirls (5-5) needed every one of those 37 to finally shake Destynee Williams and the Cougars (465), who were outscored 12-3 in OT.
Williams made six 3-pointers and scored 27 points.
Both teams head to Hilo Civic on Wednesday with different-sized tasks in different divisions in the BIIF semifinals.
Seeded third in Division II, Kohala looks to advance to the HHSAA tournament for the third consecutive season when it takes on perennial state contender Kamehameha (6-4), who has yet to beat a team that finished the regular season with a winning record. On Jan. 20 in Kapaau, the Warriors beat Kohala 47-35. Kauka scored 12 points in that one as the Cowgirls fell behind early.
The rematch is 4 p.m. Wednesday and the next game at 6:30 p.m. pits Keaau against nine-time BIIF champion Konawaena (1-0) in the first Division I semifinal. On Dec. 27 in Kealakekua, the Cougars hung around against the Wildcats for a bit before falling 75-34.
Konawaena 52, Kamehameha 25: Caiyle Kaupu scored 16 points Saturday night and Tanniya Uchida added 13 as the Wildcats went on the road to complete their 10th consecutive unbeaten season.
Konawaena trailed by one point after the first quarter, but it led 26-16 at halftime and poured in on in the fourth quarter, outscoring Kamehameha 18-3.
Saydee Aganus led the Warriors with 10 points and Dominique Pacheco had six.
Honokaa 42, Pahoa 12: The Dragons (7-3) won at home to secure the top seed in the BIIF Division II semifinals, and they’ll be matched up against Hawaii Prep (3-7) at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Honokaa finished the regular season without a loss to a Division II team in conference play.
Boys basketball
Ka‘u 45, Kohala 30: Nainoa Ke scored 16 point in Pahala and Andre Carvalho added 14 as the Trojans earned their best win of the season and third in a row to leapfrog the Cowboys for third place in D-II.
The game was tied 14-14 at halftime, but Ka‘u (4-4) started to take over in the third quarter, outpointing Kohala (4-5) 13-6.
Jeffrey Francisco finished with nine for the Cowboys.
Girls soccer
Hilo 2, Waiakea 0: Miya Clarke and Kalamanamana Harman each scored off Hollie Saplan corner kicks Saturday, and Saydee Bacdad earned her ninth shutout of the season.
Girls basketball — Friday
Ka‘u 39, Kealakehe 38: Reisha Jara scored 14 points, Shanastie Hu Blanco had eight and Marylou Manantan six as the Trojans (1-9) were able to finish the season on a high note.
“We’ll back next year stronger and wiser,” coach Cy Lopez said.
Girls basketball
At Hilo Civic
Wednesday
Division I semifinals
No. 1 Konawaena (10-0) vs. No. 4 Keaau (5-5), 5:30 p.m.
No. 2 Hilo (9-1) vs. No. 3 Waiakea (8-2), 7 p.m.
Division II semifinals
No. 1 Honokaa (7-3) vs. No. 4 HPA (3-7), 2:30 p.m.
No. 2 KS-Hawaii (6-4) vs. No. 3 Kohala (5-5), 4 p.m.
Thursday
Division II final, 6 p.m.
Division I final, 7:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Tuesday
Division I semifinals
No. 3 Waiakea (6-5) at No. 2 Hilo (9-1-1), 3 p.m.
Kealakehe/Keaau at No. 1 Kona (9-2-1), 3 p.m.
Wednesday
Division II semifinals
No. 3 Makua Lani (2-8- 1 at No. 2 Kamehameha (8-4), 3 p.m.
No. 4 Honokaa (1-9-2) at No. 1 HPA (10-1), 3 p.m.
Saturday
At Konawaena
Division I final, 7 p.m.
Division II final, 5 p.m.
D-II third place, 3 p.m.
