It was an ugly BIIF girls basketball game, someone had to win, and Waiakea managed a 35-26 victory over Kamehameha on Tuesday night at its gym.
Avery Snyder scored a game-high 15 points, including nine points in the second quarter, to spark the Division I Warriors (4-0), who led 23-16 at halftime.
Ava Santos came off the bench for seven points, Kiare Kepano added six points and Jolie Mantz had three points on a 3-pointer for Waiakea, which finished with 19 turnovers and sank 6 of 10 free throws.
“It was ugly, but it was nice being able to see the girls play,” Waiakea coach Alika Smith said. “We’re working through kinks and trying to get as many game repetitions as possible, trying to get better each and every day. It’s coming along, not as good as we’d like, but we’re working through it as a staff and as a team.”
Sarah Schubert scored 10 points, Keanu Huihui had eight points, and Maela Honma added six points for the Division II Warriors (2-1), who had no bench players due to COVID-19 close contact protocols.
“You can’t do anything about it. We should get some of them back by Friday, and one more next week,” Kamehameha Dominic Pacheco said. “It’s a matter of placing yourself in D-II. We have three girls who played basketball and two that didn’t but we did a wonderful job.”
Maka Longakit added two points, and Leihuanani Ortiz didn’t score for Kamehameha, which had 16 turnovers and couldn’t take advantage with its superior height or hit free throws. The Warriors made 10 of 20 free throws.
“We could work more on defense and running the offense,” Snyder said. “I think I did all right. I definitely could have done better, making my layups and getting the fouls.”
The first half resembled an ILH stall game, except instead of stalling both teams missed a lot of close-range shots and medium-range shots.
“We just tried to move our feet, disrupt them, tire them out,” Smith said. “When they did have a mismatch in the post, we’d try to front them with back-side help, but they are big and very good. When they have their full roster, they’ll give other teams a lot of trouble. It’ll be nice to see how their finished product is as well.”
Waiakea had five turnovers in the first quarter, two fewer than Kamehameha, which didn’t score any layups in transition the entire game.
Snyder scored nine points in the second quarter to carry Waiakea to a 23-16 lead at halftime.
“She always plays hard, and she’s raw,” Smith said. “She’s played for two years. Her ceiling is very, very high, and you can’t teach how hard she plays. If someone plays that hard, there’s always a spot for them out there.”
Kamehameha outscored Waiakea 7-4 in the third quarter and entered the final eight minutes behind 27-23.
Waiakea went on a 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Kaneshiro and Kepano, the two smallest guards in the game, scored on consecutive baskets. Santos scored on a putback for a 33-23 Waiakea lead.
Honma hit 1 of 2 free throws, and Huihui sank 2 of 2 free throws for the final score.
Waiakea did a good job guarding Honma in man defense, using the 5-foot-7 Snyder in the first quarter, and 5-3 guards Kaneshiro and Mantz in the second quarter, and Kaneshiro in the second half.
Kaneshiro, who scored two points, didn’t get any steals but forced Honma to pick her dribble up early in half-court sets. Kaneshiro drew one charging call on Honma.
Snyder comes from athletic bloodlines. Her brother is Kamehameha junior running back Makai Snyder, and she plays on the Fly Girls club team with Honma. It was the first BIIF game between the two.
“Tonight was the first time I saw her in a long time,” Snyder said. “It was different but fun, and I liked it.”
Snyder used her height and quickness to get under the rim and score with both hands. She also sank 5 of 8 free throws.
Waiakea next hosts defending BIIF champion Konawaena (0-0) on Friday while Kamehameha hosts Hawaii Prep (1-0) on Friday under the league’s no-fan policy for BIIF events.
Hawaii Prep 61, Kohala 7: Kyana Brucelas scored 20 points to lead three players in double figures in Waimea.
Brooke Samura added 14 points for Ka Makani (2-0) and Kaila Kaahu had 11.
The Cowgirls, who were playing their opener, didn’t score until the third quarter after trailing 43-0 at halftime. Kailani Valenzuela-Conte led the way for Kohala with five points.
Christian Liberty at Pahoa: The game was switched to Thursday because of COVID-19 protocols.
Ka’u at Keaau: The game was postponed because of COVID-19 protocols.