KAILUA-KONA – In their last tune-up before the postseason begins, the visiting Warriors started off hot.
Led by four first-quarter threes from Jolie Mantz, Waiakea put the game’s first 13 points on the board and led 23-4 entering the second quarter. Mantz and fellow sophomore Avery Snyder scored 15 apiece to pace Waiakea in their 37-point victory.
“Since we lost to Hilo (January 28), they’ve been real focused,” said Waiakea’s head coach Alika Smith. “We want another crack – which we’re going to get on Monday – to get to the state tournament. We’ve got our work cut out for us. We’re young, but they have a whole year full of experience.”
With the game in hand early, the Warriors got plenty of experience for their bench players, as well; in all, nine Waiakea players scored points on the night.
“It’s important,” said Smith of getting all his players game-time experience. We may need them in some way, shape or form.
“We’re excited. We knew we had a team that could compete. It’s just a matter of, most of our girls are 10th grade; we didn’t have that year last year. It’s still learning, but they work hard. That’s all I can ask for.”
Waiakea (4-2) will travel to Hilo on Monday to compete in the BIIF D-I semifinals; tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Kealakehe’s (2-4) season came to a close with Friday’s contest, as the team elected not to take part in this year’s BIIF playoffs. The Waveriders were led by Kylea Medeiros and Jackie Tornes with six points apiece against the Warriors.
Waiakea 23 14 18 4 – 59
Kealakehe 4 6 4 8 – 22
Scoring
Waiakea: Mantz 15 points, Snyder 15, Kaneshiro 8, Santos 6, Kepano 4, Fernandez 4, Amuimuia 3, Iwahiro 2, Rocha 2
Kealakehe: Medeiros 6 points, Tornes 6, Haleamau 5, Delos Santos 4, Tangelmathaw 2, Wellington 1
Thursday
Konawaena 69, Hawaii Prep 39
The Wildcats’ Kaliana Salazar-Harrell and Braelyn Kauhi combined to score 48 points as Konawaena earned a shutout victory to remain unbeaten in BIIF play. Hawaii Prep was led by Kyana Brucelas’ 14 points.
Konawaena takes a 7-0 BIIF record into the postseason. They’re scheduled host Keaau at 6 p.m. in the Division I semifinals on Monday, Feb. 7. The winner will take on either Waiakea or Hilo Wednesday at the Hilo Civic Center; tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Hawaii Prep’s (5-1) first game in the BIIF D-II playoffs will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at HPA. Tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Waiakea 66, Keaau 27
Three Waiakea players reached double figures on the scoreboard, led by 25 points from Jolie Mantz to lead the Warriors to a 39-point victory over Keaau. The Cougars’ leading scorer was Aubrey Miyasato with eight points.
Keaau (1-5) will travel to Konawaena Monday evening for the BIIF semifinals; tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Boys
Hilo 67, Ka’u 35
Hilo’s Kiakahi DePeralta-Huihui led all scorers with 16 points as the Vikings raced out to a 45-13 halftime lead. Three Hilo players also reached double digits: Rayson Padilla with 15 points, Peyton Pana with 11 and RJ Solmerin with 10. Micha Espejo paced Ka’u with 8 points.
Girls Soccer
Kamehameha 2, Konawaena 0
Rhacelyn Respicio and Sophia Wilson netted the game’s only goals in a two-minute span early in the second half. Kamehameha’s Kaylia Galindo earned the shutout in goal for the Warriors.
Boys Soccer
Kamehameha 10, Konawaena 0