The last time the Hilo High girls basketball team qualified for the state tournament was in 2017 as the BIIF runner-up.
The Vikings look to be heading that way after a 55-27 win over Kamehameha on Tuesday at Hilo’s gym.
Ayana Meyer scored a game-high 15 points, hitting five 3-pointers and Kierstyn Agonias and Veda Galma, who drilled three 3-pointers, scored 13 points each to lead the Division I Vikings (6-1), who committed 10 turnovers and led 26-19 at halftime.
“I’m happy we had a tough game like that. We need tough games like that,” Hilo coach Cliff Kawaha said. “The girls played tough and smart today. They got height, and that’s the reason I played a 2-3 zone. I was really happy with our shooting today.”
Maela Honma scored 10 points, and Baeleigh Lukzen, who hit a pair of triples, scored six points, and Sarah Schubert also had six points to lead the Division II Warriors (3-3), who had 14 turnovers and couldn’t solve Hilo’s 2-3 zone.
The key for the Vikings to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2017 is to grab the No. 2 spot to the four-team BIIF playoffs, opposite likely No. 1 seed Konawaena. Last Saturday night in Kealakekua, the Wildcats held off the Vikings 38-34.
Hilo plays at Waiakea (4-1) at 6 p.m. Friday in what’s expected to be a monster Division I showdown.
Though Kamehameha lost to Hawaii Prep 30-27 on Saturday, the Warriors are still in good shape for the BIIF postseason, which will be held by the higher seed for the BIIF semifinals with the championship at Hilo Civic.
The only excitement in the fourth quarter was when Hilo backup senior Xaviea Heflin-Carter sank a shot and drew a foul to open the period. She converted the three-point play for a commanding 47-23 cushion.
In the third quarter, the Vikings outscored the Warriors 18-4 to seize a 44-23 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
Hilo hit four 3-pointers, three by Ayana Meyer and one by Galima.
Hilo buried three 3-pointer in the first quarter to grab a 26-19 halftime lead. Senior guard Ayana buried a pair of triples, and Veda Galima had a 3-pointer.
The Warriors had trouble finding open shots against Hilo’s 2-3 zone and committed nine turnover in the first half. The Vikings had much better ball security agains’t Kamehameha’s zone and had just one turnover.
Agonias scored nine points in the first half. She scored on a reverse layup to push Hilo ahead 20-14 with under five minutes until halftime. She later scored on a bank shot for a 26-19 halftime lead.
Honma scored six points to lead the Warriors. She relied on her athleticism to convert a floater in the first quarter, and sank a left-handed bank shot right before the halftime buzzer. Lukzen also scored six points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers.
Keaau 43, Christian Liberty 13: Olivia Yasutake scored 12 points as the host Cougars cruised to their first win of the season.
Kamille Febo-Santiago tallied nine points for the Canefire, who trailed 29-7 at the half.