KAILUA-KONA — The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) recently released its All-BIIF selections for the 2023-24 basketball season, including the player and coach-of-the-year awards.
Boys
The boys’ Division I team had a diverse selection in terms of school representation — naming Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i wing Kawohi Huihui, Hilo wing Ikena Leao, KS-Hawai‘i wing Kiai Yasso, Hilo forward Peyton Pana, Konawaena forward Abraham Ogata and Waiakea center Josiah Amuimuia. Each player averaged at least 10 points per game across the BIIF season.
Huihui was also named DI Player of the Year, averaging 16.8 points per game in league play. The sophomore star was also eighth in DI overall scoring and scoring average with 219 points and 16.8 points per game.
Huihui’s coach, Mea Wong, took home DI Coach of the Year recognition. Wong led the Warriors to a 15-4 overall record and 13-1 in league play, taking home the BIIF DI title in the process. He also helped his team shoot an efficient 60.8% from the field in BIIF play.
KSH fell in the first round of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Boys Basketball Tournament against Punahou on Feb. 22.
Over in Division II, state champion Kohala dominated the first team list with four selections — guard Layden Kauka, guard Landon Kauka, guard Isaac Salvador-Libron and forward Jayden Hook. Each of the four played a critical role in the Cowboys’ undefeated BIIF season at 12-0, and were central contributors in their run to the DII state title on Oahu.
Layden Kauka was named Player of the Year, averging 21.1 points per game in the league. The sophomore scored 338 points across the entire season — good for second-best in the state. In the state title game against Maui powerhouse Seabury Hall, Kauka scored 24 points, including the game-clinching jump shot from 15 feet out late in overtime.
Kohala coach Kihei Kapeliela was named Coach of the Year after a 22-2 overall season and a third state title in four seasons, along with a BIIF DII title in February.
The other two selections in the DII first team was Pahoa guard Kyren Canete and Honoka‘a wing Damion Mauloa Tagabi. both players averaged over 12 points per game to lead their respective teams.
The DII second team consisted of Pahoa guard Joefrey Trez Canete, Pahoa guard Donivan Lynch, Honoka‘a wing Devon Kukia Tagabi, Honoka‘a forward David Aiona, Ka‘u forward Tyson Kuahia-Faa Fia and Hawaii Prep forward Bruce Lee.
There was no second team for Division I.
Honorable mentions
Hilo: Jason Birruetta (G); Jared Fuerte (F); Kaiwalya Kaneata (F), Jose Xarren (G)
Kamehameha-HI: Kaleb Guerrero (G/F), Justin Ondo (G/F); Orrin Yamada
Keaau: Rayden Handy (G), Asa Kamakeeaina (G/F); Thayne Nakoa (G/F), Joseph Nixon (F/G)
Kealakehe: Estavon Morales (G/F)
Konawaena: Riley Asakura (F); Kolt Baptista (PG); Elijah Morgan (C), Cash Prettyman (F)
Waiakea: Theyden Sweat (G)
CLA: Jermaine Cline (G); Jeziah Mahaulu (G)
Hawaii Prep: Ian Caldwell (F), Cam Root (G); Micah Yamasaki (G)
Honokaa: Jaystyn Babino (G); Elijah Kaupu-Alip (G)
Kau: Kaulana Akionna (C);
Kohala: Dillon Oandasan (G); Hezekiah Wilson (F)
Pahoa: Kaumualii Gancinia (F); Hunter Paio (C)
St. Joseph: Amari Wiedemeier (G/F)
Girls
BIIF powerhouse Konawaena girls dominated the Division I selections with four players on first team — guard Kaylie Yamasaki, guard Haikela Hiraishi, center Kaitea Galletes and center Tavina Harris. Each played a key role in the Wildcats’ egalitarian offense, with all four scoring at least nine points per game.
Harris was named DI Player of the Year, averging 14 points per game in the BIIF while hitting nearly 93% of her free throws.
Kona’s decorated coach Bobbie Awa was named DI Coach of the Year after leading the state-ranked Wildcats to 21-4 overall and 13-1 in league play. Awa also led the green and white to a BIIF title before falling to Oahu’s Kamehameha in the HHSAA tournament. Waiakea made up of the rest of the DI first team, with guard Jolie Mantz and Pua Herrington being selected. Herrington was fifth in DI state scoring at 17.9 points per game, while Mantz was fifth at 17.1. The star duo helped the Warriors finish second in BIIF DI with an 11-3 record.
In DII, HPA guard Brooke Samura, KSH forward Maela Honma, KSH center Keanu Huihui, KSH guard Baeleigh Lukzen, Pahoa wing Jaylynn Kaawaloa-Alidon and Honoka‘a wing Rylee Velazquez. Huihui and Homna as a duo combined for 44.3 points per game in the BIIF.
Samura was also named DII Player of the Year after a statistically-dominant season, averaging 34.6 points per game in the league — good enough for best in the state by a wide margin and beating out No. 2 overall scorer Huihui by nearly 10 points per game (25.3). The senior’s monstrous scoring helped catapult Ka Makani to 10-4 in the BIIF and a state tournament appearance. KSH guard Kacie Febo-Santiago, Kohala guard Camille Fuertes, Kohala guard Kalia Marquez, Honoka‘a wing Telia Laeli, Ka‘u wing Tyra Wong Yuen and Kohala forward Adriana Soriano made DII second team.
KSH’s Donald Yamada won DII Coach of the Year after a 14-0 record in league play, a BIIF DII title and a state tournament appearance.
Honorable mentions
Hilo: Tianna Cabbab(F); Anuhea Ferreira(G); Stephanie Hirowatari(F); Malia Simram (G)
Kea‘au: Lenzy Adlawan (G/F), Raychelle Ducusin (SG); Alissa Kaheaku (G), Tiani Kaupu (F); Jaeley Salazar (F)
Kealakehe: Sarah Broberg (F)
Konawaena: Kiilei Leleiwi (F), Mikela Salazar-Harrel (SG)
Waiakea: Hannah Iwahiro (G), Maya Kaneshiro (G), Ava Santos (F)
CLA: Alex Gray (G)
Hawaii Prep: Leia Benioff (F); Avery Hendersen (F); Rosey Wawner (G)
Honoka‘a: Megan Muranaka (G); Ilima Napoleon (G)
Ka‘u: Alexus bivings (G/F); Shailie Martinez (F/C)
Kohala: Mahea Pang (F); Jayline Salvador (C); Kailani Valnezuela-Conte (G)
Pahoa: Azriah Brown (G)
Parker: Adalyn Ballard (G)