Konawaena managed to hold off a fourth quarter charge by Hilo in its first game of the New Year, winning 52-43 in a BIIF Division I contest against the Vikings at Ellison Onizuka Gym.
Konawaena managed to hold off a fourth quarter charge by Hilo in its first game of the New Year, winning 52-43 in a BIIF Division I contest against the Vikings at Ellison Onizuka Gym.
The Wildcats, who never trailed in the game, jumped out to a 6-2 lead early in the first quarter. Konawaena’s Kamakana Ching rolled in a layup for the first points of the game and Maitland Akau added two quick buckets. While the Wildcats controlled their possessions longer, Hilo managed to take advantage of a few Wildcat turnovers to keep in striking distance. However, Konawaena ended the quarter with back-to-back layups to go up 12-6.
Makoa Yoshida opened the second quarter with a pair of free throws and a layup to put the Wildcats up by eight. The Vikings nearly threw the ball away on two straight possessions, and would have in not for a tough leaping grab by a Viking player. The hustle play was rewarded, as Josh Breitbarth converted on a deep two-point jumper.
Hilo’s Lawrence Padasdao added another long jumper to cut the deficit to four points, but Konawaena’s Akau knocked down a shot from behind the arc, despite being well guarded, to put his team up by seven late in the second quarter. The Wildcats led at the break 20-12 in the defensive battle.
The Viks used the first five minutes after the half to cut into Konawaena’s lead, pulling to within four points on several occasions, only to see the Wildcats answer back. Up by four with three minutes to go in the third, Konawaena’s Akau knocked down a 3-pointer. The Wildcats would have an opportunity to reach a double-digit lead twice in the third, but came up short each time. Heading into the final quarter, the Wildcats led 37-29.
The Vikings opened the fourth quarter with four straight points before The Ewing and Kelson Cacoulidis rolled in a pair of layups. Taking advantage of several Konawaena turnovers, Hilo made another run midway through the fourth as Breitbarth sunk a layup with 3:51 remaining to pull his team to within three points. Padasdao followed up with a short jumper and the Wildcat lead was down to one.
After several missed shots, Austin Aukai and Ethan Awa gave Konawaena some breathing room with a pair of putbacks for a 47-42 advantage. Awa added a layup with a minute remain and the Wildcat lead was at seven. Hilo would not threaten again.
Akau led the Konawaena scoring with 11 points. Ewing and Aukai followed with eight each. Breitbarth and Padasdao scored 14 each for Hilo, while Liu added 10.