It’s early, of course, but the Hilo-Kohala barn-burner Thursday night is the leader in the clubhouse for BIIF boys basketball game of the year.
The Cowboys were in control most of the way in Kapaau until they weren’t – Kaukahi Alameda sank a long 3-pointer with 1 second remaining to send the game to overtime.
Kohala coach Kihei Kapeliela said he told his team “to relax. Focus on defense and we’ll be fine.”
He was right.
O’Shen Cazimero scored 24 points and Koby Agbayani chipped in 16 as the Cowboys regrouped for an 70-67 OT win that keeps them undefeated heading into a busy week.
“I (liked) the way our boys picked each other up and we fought back after we lost momentum to end the fourth quarter,” Kapeliela said. “That showed a lot of heart.”
He said Alameda’s game-tying shot came from about 5 feet from behind the 3-point line. Alameda scored 20 points for the Vikings (2-2), who return to Division I play Monday at home against Kealakehe looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
Jeffrey Francisco added 12 points for Kohala (3-0), which welcomes another D-I heavyweight next Saturday when it plays Waiakea. First, the Cowboys visit D-II rival Honokaa on Monday and they host Parker on Wednesday.
In JV, Hilo won 60-54.
Waiakea 63, Honokaa 39: Keegan Scanlan led a balanced scoring effort with 17 points Friday night at Honokaa Armory as the Warriors (4-0) spoiled the Dragons’ opener.
Kiai Apele and Elijah Blankenship contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively for Waiakea.
Hawaii Prep 61, Ka’u 34: KJ Walker scored 18 points and Tre Walker added 16 on Friday night in Pahala to lead the charge for Ka Makani.
Javan Perez finished with 11 for HPA (2-0), which faces its first test of the season Monday at Konawaena.
The Trojans (1-4) were competitive in the first half, trailing 29-22 at the break before getting outscored 22-5 in the the third quarter. Elijah Evangelista scored led the way with 11 points and Kealiikoa Nalu-Reyes had eight.
Keaau 50, Parker 38: CJ Fung scored 17 points and Ricky Blas had 12 to fuel a fourth-quarter run Friday night in Waimea.
The Cougars (2-2) led by just a point at the break and were ahead 32-29 entering the final eight minutes before taking control.
Saturday
Girls
Kamehameha 64, Ka’u 13: Sarah Schubert led four Warriors in double figures with 20 points in Pahala.
Nique Pacheco added 17 for Kamehameha (5-0) and Sierra Scanlan had 10.
The Trojans (0-4) trailed 44-10 at halftime.
Honokaa 40, Kohala 21: Ka’ena Tagabi scored 26 points in Kapaau to guide the Dragons to their first victory.
Kailee Paro led the Cowgirls (1-4) with 10 points.
Honokaa (1-2) led 19-11 at the half.
Hilo def. HPA, forfeit: Ka Makani forfeited their home game Saturday, citing lack of players.
Keaau 60 girls, Christian Liberty 48: Anela Gonzalez-Tremaine came up big for the Cougars with 36 points as Keaau came back to win at home.
Shayla Kaheaku chipped in with 10 for Keaau (3-1), which trailed 26-21 at the half and took a three-point lead to the fourth quarter.
The Canefire (1-3) had three players reach double figures, led by Kamille Febo-Santiago with 18. Brooke Perreira scored 15 and Kassey Hanoa had 11.
Parker boys 52, St. Joseph 43: Tyler Thomas scored 14 points and Riley Higgins had 12 as the host Bulls (1-4) won their first game of the season.
Jayden Villena led the Cardinals (0-6) with 18 points.
Pahoa 50, Ka’u 43: Jaydan Broad-Melander scored 14 points in Pahala and Damon Romero added 12 as the Daggers (3-1) won after leading by two points entering the fourth quarter.
Kyson Toriano led the Trojans (1-4) with 11 points and Blake Nakano and Michael Rodarte each had 10.