KAILUA-KONA — With just a few weeks remaining in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) basketball regular season, teams from across the island competed hard all weekend in attempt to finish the year strong.
KONA 89, CLA 8
No. 3 Konawaena girls basketball blasted Christian Liberty Academy on Friday night in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium — winning 89-8 and getting back in the win column after falling to KS-Hawai‘i earlier in the week.
The Wildcats had four scorers in double digits — Tavina Harris with 24, Kaitea Galletes with 20, Haikela Hiraishi with 12 and Kaylie Yamasaki with 11. Harris and Galletes lead Kona in scoring on the season, averaging 16.4 and 14 points per game in the BIIF, respectively.
On the other side, CLA’s Wehi Kahele scored all of her team’s points with eight.
With just two games remaining in the regular season, Kona (15-3 overall, 9-1 BIIF) will look to end on a high note ahead of the playoffs — starting with Kealakehe at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Waveriders’ gymnasium. The Canefire (0-8) will face Waiakea at 6 p.m. Thursday at home.
HILO 38, KEALAKEHE 23
Hilo girls basketball won comfortably over Hilo on Friday in the Waveriders’ gymnasium — 38-23. The Vikings (2-8 overall, 2-6 BIIF) collected their first win since Dec. 12 against CLA. Kealakehe (1-7) lost its fifth straight.
Hilo will next play Hawaii Prep at 7 p.m. Thursday at home. Kealakehe will host Konawaena on Wednesday at home for a local crosstown matchup.
HPA 58, KEA‘AU 35
Hawaii Prep Academy girls basketball was led by Brooke Samura once again, who tallied 42 points in Ka Makani’s 58-35 win over Kea‘au on Saturday at Castle Gym.
It was the star guard’s second straight game with over 40, adding to her dominant senior season of 35.7 points per game — good enough for No. 1 in the HHSAA.
Alyssa Kaheaku led Kea‘au with 12 points.
With the win, HPA improved to 7-4 overall on the year and 5-2 in the BIIF. The Cougars fell to 0-5.
Ka Makani will next take the court against BIIF powerhouse KS-Hawai‘i at 6 p.m. tonight in Kea‘au. Kea‘au will host Parker at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
KSH 52, HPA 23
KS-Hawai‘i boys basketball routed Hawaii Prep on Saturday night in Castle Gym, winning 52-23 and remaining undefeated in the BIIF.
Kawohi Huihui and Kiai Yasso highlighted the winners with 11 points apiece, while Bruce Lee led HPA with nine.
The Warriors (9-1 overall, 7-1 BIIF) will next share the court with St. Joseph’s at 7 p.m. Friday on the road. Ka Makani (1-5 overall, 1-3 BIIF) next hosts Hilo at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Castle Gym.
JV score: KSH 55, HPA 23; Top scorers: Kai Kahana-Rowe (KSH) 32 points, Joshua Avila (HPA) nine points.
KOHALA 54, KA‘U 24
Kohala girls basketball handled Ka‘u on Saturday by a score of 54-24 — improving to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in island play.
The Cowgirls will next take the floor against Hawaii Prep at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 in their regular season finale. The Trojans (2-6) play Pahoa at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Daggers’ gymnasium.
Other games
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain the results from the following weekend BIIF basketball games by Sunday afternoon, Jan. 14:
1/13 Kea‘au girls @ Pahoa
1/13 Parker girls @ Honoka‘a
1/13 Konawaena boys @ Ka‘u