KEA‘AU — In a low-scoring, defensive battle, Hawaii Preparatory Academy girls basketball handled business in a 23-4 road-trip victory over the Lady Cougars on Saturday night at Kea‘au High School.
Ka Makani outscored the Lady Cougars in every quarter, including an 11-2 third period. HPA’s Rosey Wawner scored a game-high seven points, followed by teammate Harley Kaniho with six. Kea‘au’s Coco Hunt scored all of her team’s points with four.
Now at 2-3 overall and 2-2 in Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) play, HPA will enjoy a break before next taking the floor against powerhouse Konawaena on Jan. 3 inside Castle Gymnasium in Waimea.
The Lady Cougars (1-3) will seek redemption against Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i on Thursday night on the road. Junior varsity will play first at 5:30 p.m.
Pahoa 60, Honoka‘a 29
Pahoa girls basketball stayed unbeaten Friday night after a convincing 60-29 over Honoka‘a inside the Lady Dragons’ Gymnasium.
The Daggers set the tone in the first quarter, outscoring Honoka‘a 18-4. From there, the Lady Dragons couldn’t recover, and Pahoa cruised to victory.
Azariyah Brown led the winning Daggers with 11, followed by teammate Kaiawe Sione with 10. On Honoka‘a’s side, Telia Laeli added a game-high 16 points — being the only Dragon in double figures. Teammate Ava Tabucbuc chipped in seven points.
Now at 4-0, Pahoa is off to its strongest start since ScoringLive began tracking scores in 2009. The Daggers will try to continue their hot start with their next matchup against Konawaena, scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. Thursday in Pahoa town. The game will serve as a big test for the Daggers, as the Lady Wildcats are one of the island’s top teams at 7-2 overall and 2-0 in league play.
Honoka‘a (2-5 overall, 2-3 BIIF) will seek redemption against Christian Liberty Academy at 6 p.m. Wednesday at home.
CLA 54, Parker 49
After dropping its first three games, Christian Liberty girls basketball earned its first win of the season after a 54-49 edge over Parker School on Friday night in Kea‘au.
The Canefire’s Shiloh Glenn, who leads the team with nearly 15 points per game, dropped a team-high 21 points in the win. Running mate Mikaili Banetto-Payomo scored 17.
Lady Bulls star Adalyn Ballard scored a game-high 25 points, followed by her sister Briley Ballard with 13. The sibling pair continues to be the team’s top-two scorers through Parker’s first three games.
Improving to 1-3, CLA will next face Honoka‘a on Wednesday night on the road. The Bulls (0-3) are still in search of win No. 1, and will next take the floor against Kealakehe on Tuesday night in the Waveriders’ gymnasium.
Umeke’s Waverider Invitational
Kealakehe’s inaugural boys basketball tournament’s results from over the weekend can be found below:
Thursday
• Hilo 64, Kealakehe 27
• HPA 63, Parker 18
• Ka‘u 66, Waiakea 63
• Kealakehe 60, Kihei Charter 32
Friday
• Kealakehe 54, Parker 29
• Waiakea 60, Kihei Charter 30
• HPA 71, Hilo 32
• Kealakehe 63, Ka‘u 62
Saturday
• Seventh-place game: Kihei Charter 58, Parker 29
• Fifth-place game: Waiakea 67, Kealakehe 36
• Third-place game: Hilo 65, Ka‘u 40
• Championship: HPA 62, Kealakehe 32
Tournament MVP: Vander Eberhard, HPA
