Caiyle Kaupu carried Konawaena as far as she could on the basketball court with the traits that made her a leader on and off the floor.
Her brilliance on offense and defense led the Wildcats to reclaim the BIIF Division I championship and finish runner-up at the state tournament.
She was named the BIIF Player of the Year in a vote by the league’s coaches.
“Being player of the year is an amazing accomplishment,” Kaupu said. “None of it would have been possible without my great teammates and my amazing coaches.”
Kaupu is a four-time All-BIIF first-team pick and joins the POY club, which includes her sister Courtney in 2013.
She is joined on the first team by a pair of teammates in sophomore guard Kaliana Salazar and senior guard Grace Hing.
Others on the team are Waiakea seniors Kelsie Imai and Keeli-Jade Smith, Hilo sophomore Keirstyn Agonias, and Keaau junior Angela Gonzalez-Tremaine.
The BIIF’s best seven are connected through their postseason experiences.
In the BIIF semifinals, Konawaena defeated Keaau 62-20. Gonzalez Tremaine led the Cougars with 13 points.
Konawaena prevailed over Waiakea 43-42 for the BIIF title. Smith played tough defense on Kaupu and held her to 11 points.
Agonias and Gonzalez-Tremaine have another year to hop over the Konawaena-Waiakea barrier and reach states.
Konawaena’s Bobbie Awa and her daughter Dawnyelle Awa were selected as the BIIF Co-Coaches of the Year.
“To reclaim the BIIF title and bring it back home my senior year was bittersweet,” Kaupu said.
The Wildcats re-established themselves as the league’s best, winning the championship 11 of the last 12 years.
Kaupu had monster performances at states. She 37 points on 17 of 20 shooting in a 56-39 semifinal win over Kahuku.
But she and her teammates suffered heartbreak in a 55-46 loss to Iolani in the championship.
The Raider took a slim 36-35 lead into the fourth quarter, held the ball and hit their free throws, 14 of 16, in the final eight minutes.
Kaupu scored 19 points on 8 of 10 shooting and gained an invaluable memory.
“What I enjoyed most about states was being around my teammates,” she said. “As the season went on, those girls worked so hard, and we bonded so much. They turned into my sisters.
“My BIIF career has been amazing. I had so much fun competing and showing what the Big Island has to offer.”
Her hard work on and off the court and her community service earned her the Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.
“She was a leader in all aspects. Off the court, she would spread the word about workouts, community service opportunities, activities in school to help out and represent our basketball team,” coach Dawnyelle Awa said. “She also has good grades, and most importantly created a family. On the court, she worked harder than we’ve seen of her before. She ran the floor, she communicated, she held people accountable, and she was that go-to player everyone could always count on.”
She had the ability to go left or right around the basket to score and could shoot the 3-pointer to stretch the defense. That made her a tough matchup, and Kaupu was also a tenacious rebounder.
Kaupu joins past winners and former Wildcats Chanelle and Cherilyn Molina.
She averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and was a youth basketball coach and scorekeeper.
Kaupu also donated her time at Creative Day Preschool, where her sister Courtney Kaupu works, and Holualoa Elementary.
She’s giving back and getting youngsters started on building the next link to Konawaena’s pipeline.
“It’s amazing to be named BIIF player of the year and be a part of this like my sister was,” Kaupu said. “I’ve learned so much from her, and I know I’ll continue to learn from her as I get older. She’s a great role model for me and my younger sister (Caysea). We look up to her. She’s our biggest critic but always there to congratulate us when it’s due.”
Courtney Kaupu went to Centralia College in Washington. Then she transferred to Chaminade.
Kaupu is heading to UC Irvine and looking to do what she does: carry the team as far as she can.
“I’m expecting to just be able to have fun, win some games but most of all just make the most of it while I’m there,” she said. “Because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
All-BIIF girls basketball
Division I
First team
Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena, 12
Kaliana Salazar-Harrell, Konawaena, 10
Grace Hing, Konawaena, 12
Kelsie Imai, Waiakea, 12
Keeli-Jade Smith, Waiakea, 12
Keirstyn Agonias, Hilo, 10
Anela Gonzalez-Tremaine, Keaau, 11
Player of the Year: Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena
Co-Coaches of the Year: Bobbie and Dawnyelle Awa
Honorable mention
Konawaena: Braelyn Kauhi, Kayla Pak, Juliana Losalio-Watson
Waiakea: Bethany Honma, Destynee William, Jazelle Dorser, Tayvia Cabatbat
Hilo: Veda Galima, Keani Midel, Tatiana Rideout, Mindy Kawaha, Jamila Collins-Ebanez
Keaau: Shayla Kaheaku