KAILUA-KONA — The waters are a bit muddied, but Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s record is still sparkly clean.
KAILUA-KONA — The waters are a bit muddied, but Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s record is still sparkly clean.
After the first six game slate of the BIIF water polo season that featured some depleted rosters, Ka Makani (3-0) exited Kona Community Aquatic Center as the only unbeaten BIIF squad on Saturday. It’s a claim that is usually reserved for Kamehameha-Hawaii — the six-time defending league champion. But Ka Makani proved a force to be reckoned with in the teams’ first meeting of 2016.
Louisa Duggan tallied six goals and Ava Jean Johnston added five as Hawaii Prep came away with an overwhelming 20-7 victory over an undermanned Kamehameha (2-1) squad.
“Everything is a progression. You never want to take a step back. I’m very impressed with our girls. They are working very hard,” Hawaii Prep coach Greg McKenna said. “The preparation we have gone through has paid off. The girls are learning to be good water polo players and applying things we do in practice in games.”
Kamehameha was missing six starters for the match, most away at an Olympic Development Camp. Veteran head coach Dan Lyons was anything but worried about his team after the loss.
“This was a great way for our young players to develop. We are pretty stoked about that,” Lyons said. “Hats off to Hawaii Prep. They are a very good team and I don’t think this result had anything to do with what we did or did not have. We got out of the game what we wanted to in terms of development.”
Last season, Hawaii Prep dealt Kamehameha its first league loss since 2009, but couldn’t topple the Warriors in the title game. It’s still to be determined if Ka Makani can put an end Kamehameha’s banner days, but the current is certainly flowing in the right direction for Hawaii Prep.
Ka Makani have averaged nearly 20 goals per game in three contests this season, outscoring opponents 57-21. Barring any upsets, Saturday’s win also means Kamehameha would need a victory April 16 — the last day of the regular season — to have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the four-team BIIF playoffs.
“This league is very cool because over the course of the season, coaches work so well with their girls and teams are always improving,” McKenna said. “By the end of the season, things can be completely different. New teams can always rise up. We are really looking forward to the next set of games.”
Hawaii Prep’s first win of the afternoon came in the form of a 19-5 victory against Waiakea (0-3). Janelle Laros scored a game-high seven goals and Duggan — one of three seniors on the roster, but the only one suited up on Saturday — added five.
“Louisa (Duggan) is a leader in the pool,” McKenna said. “Her confidence and ability to work the offense is huge for us.”
Kamehameha recorded a 14-9 win over Konawaena — which also had a few players out of town — behind five goals from sophomore Seizen Alameda. Porsha Brandt had five for the Wildcats in the loss.
Best of the rest
While Kamehameha and Hawaii Prep spar atop the standings, there is a hefty chase pack of Kealakehe (2-1), Hilo (1-2) Konawaena (1-2) and Waiakea (0-3) vying to stay in the playoff picture.
The Waveriders had a successful Saturday campaign in the pool, reeling off two wins over Hilo and Waiakea. Hannah Tomlinson’s goal with 40 seconds left secured a 9-8 win over the Viks, while her five tallies led the way in a 13-5 victory against the Warriors.
Hilo held off a late charge from Konawaena to come away with a 12-10 win, its first of the season.