It’ll be a busy week for Hilo, which has a major showdown with fellow BIIF Division I rival Konawaena at its gym on Tuesday, then hosts its annual Viking Classic, which starts Thursday.
The Vikings played Saturday without junior guard Kaukahi Alameda, who suffered a leg injury on Friday night at the Cliff and Kathie Dias Cardinal Classic at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and isn’t expected to play against the Wildcats.
Hilo relied on its defense and freshmen to power past St. Joseph 59-49 on Saturday night in the final round of the Cardinal Classic.
Rayson Padilla scored 19 points and fellow freshman RJ Solmerin added 12 while junior Mason Galima had 12 points for the Vikings, who opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run.
Dylan Costales scored 17 points and Siam Thomas added 12 points for the Cardinals, who turned the ball over 21 times in the second half.
During Hilo’s 11-0 run, the Vikings used a full-court press and scored all their points off five straight St. Joe giveaways.
“Rayson played one of the best games I’ve seen from a freshman,” Hilo coach Bruce Ferreira said. “I liked his smarts and aggressiveness. He wasn’t afraid of contract, he hits 3s and he’s a heady and team player.
Padilla opened the scoring spurt with seven consecutive points. He hit a pair of laps and a 3-pointer.
In the first half, the Cardinals started to score transition basketball when they didn’t turn the ball over, beating Hilo at its own game.
St. Joe reeled on an 8-0 run on three transition layups, the last a three-point play by Dylan Costales, who scored, got fouled and sank his free throw for a 30-20 lead with 1:17 left.
RJ Solmerin sank a 3-pointer to get Hilo within 30-25 with 23 seconds until the break. St. Joe led 32-26 at the break after Jayden Villena sank a pair of free throws with no time on the clock.
“You could see how much we miss Kaukahi Alameda and Jonah Tominaga,” Ferreira. “It’s not just their points and rebounds but their leadership. But some of our freshmen had to grow up. I have to give props to St. Joseph. They played an excellent game. They’ve been working hard and they’re getting better.”
The Wildcats will match Hilo in tempo speed and work the ball inside. Costales and Thomas were able to score a lot of interior baskets. That’s Konawaena’s game.
“To beat Kona, we’ll have to limit our turnovers and play good, sound defense,” Ferreira said. “We have to play team ball. I’m looking forward to everybody getting experience in our tourney. They’ll need to gain a lot of experience to be big contributors for the season.
“We’ll need to work on team chemistry, doing all the little things, like not allowing second shots. That’s one of the keys.”
• Kamehameha 53, Pahoa 42: Austin Kaleo scored 10 points, Kaupena Yasso eight, and Bobby Castillo six to lead the Warriors.
Jayden Broad-MeLander and Lansen Aranaydo scored eight points each for the Daggers.
• Saint Louis 59, HPA 53: Trey Taba scored 16 points, and Lachalan Hanneman added 12 for the Crusaders.
KJ Walker had 12 points, while Umi Kealoha and Matija Vitorovic had nine points each for Ka Makani.
• Honokaa 59, Hilo 48: Isaac Jardine scored 19 points, and Tyler Rojas 11 points for the Dragons.
Mason Galima led the Vikings with 12 points, and Rayson Padilla added 10 points for the Vikings.