KAILUA-KONA — With a few days remaining in the regular season, schools from across the island continued a strong push in Wednesday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) girls basketball games. As of Thursday afternoon, Konawaena girls basketball clinched Division I’s best record at 11-1, while KS-Hawai‘i leads DII at 11-0.
The final slate of regular season girls basketball games will be Saturday, with the BIIF semifinals beginning Monday. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) tournament will begin Feb. 7 on Oahu.
PAHOA 32, KEALAKEHE 22
Pahoa handled business in a hostile road environment against Kealakehe in the Waveriders’ gymnasium — winning 32-22.
Kealakehe additionally celebrated its senior night — honoring guard Summer Wellington with a boisterous sellout crowd.
The two teams traded blows through the first three quarters, but the Waveriders suffered a handful of mental lapses which led to turnovers — giving the Daggers easy opportunities to score.
Pahoa pulled away in the final eight minutes, securing its sixth win in the conference.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald were unable to obtain a list of the top scorers. As of Thursday afternoon, the Daggers’ season-leading scorer has been Jaylynn Kaawaloa-Alidon at just over 13 a night, with Sarah Broberg leading Kealakehe at 8.3.
At 6-6 in the BIIF, the Pahoa’s regular season has ended (per ScoringLive), hoping to secure a spot in the island playoffs, which begin Saturday for tiebreakers. Kealakehe’s (1-10) season has come to an end after finishing at the bottom of the Division I standings.
KONA 66, HILO 11
No. 3 Konawaena capped off its regular season with a 66-11 thrashing of Hilo in Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium.
It was the 13th time in 2023-24 the Wildcats have scored at least 60 — finishing the year averaging over 76 points per game in the BIIF. Kona additionally shot an impressive 71.9% from the field in the conference, which leads all teams. The Wildcats shot 60.3% overall on the season.
Brooks Hao led the green and white with a game-high 11 points, followed by teammate Aaedyn Kauhi with 10. Kaitea Galletes, Tavina Harris and Haikela Hiraishi also chipped in eight apiece for Kona.
The Wildcats concluded BIIF regular season play with four double-figure scorers in their equal-opportunity offense — Harris (15 points per game), Galletes (13 points per game), Kaanoipua Leilewi (11.3 points per game) and Hiraishi (10 points per game).
The Vikings’ Anuhea Ferreira scored seven of the team’s 11 points.
Next up, Konawaena (17-3 overall, 11-1 BIIF) will await an opponent for its BIIF semifinal matchup, which will take place Monday with a time and place to be determined. With Hilo at 4-10 overall and 4-8 in island play, the Vikings’ season has come to an end (per ScoringLive).
HONOKA‘A 42, PARKER 21
Fighting for a BIIF playoff spot, Honoka‘a routed Parker 42-21 at home, earning its sixth win in the conference.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald were unable to obtain a list of the top scorers. As of Thursday afternoon, Rylee Velazquez leads the Dragons at over 16 points per game, while the Bulls’ Adalyn Ballard averages nearly 11.
At 8-6 overall and 6-5 in the BIIF, the Dragons have one game remaining in the regular season — a matchup with Christian Liberty at 5 p.m. Saturday on the road. Honoka‘a hopes to finish the year strong to ensure a playoff spot in the coming days. Parker (3-8) has been disqualified from the BIIF tournament, and its season has ended (per ScoringLive).