HILO — Hilo High School boys basketball’s impressive season came to a close on Monday night in its home gymnasium.
The Vikings fell in close fashion to Oahu’s Nanakuli, 50-45 — ending the year at 13-5 overall and 11-3 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF).
Hilo started the night out strong, scoring a game-high 17 points in the first quarter to take control. The Vikings entered halftime with a 23-19 lead sparked by the brilliant play of Peyton Pana and Jared Fuerte, while also capitalizing off the Golden Hawks’ turnovers.
But Nanakuli (18-9 overall, 11-3 Oahu Interscholastic Association) entered the second half as an entirely different team. The Golden Hawks opened the third quarter with a quick 7-0 run to even the score through the near-midway point of the frame. After three ties and two lead changes in the period, Hilo entered the fourth with a one-point lead.
Nanakuli sealed the deal with its best eight minutes of the night, winning the fourth quarter 17-11. Tied 38-38 with under six minutes to go, the Golden Hawks finished with a 12-7 run to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
The Vikings were led by Pana and Ikena Leao, who chipped in a game-high 16 points apiece. Nanakuli’s top scorer, Caleb Paakaula, scored just 10 points, but the Golden Hawks had a more-balanced attack — as Dragon Kekahuna (nine points), Blaze Kaululaau (eight points) and Zion Donnell (eight points) gave extra support.
The Golden Hawks will next play No. 1 St. Louis on Thursday on Oahu, but Hilo still has much to be proud of. Improving from 8-5 overall in 2022-23, the Vikings finished second in BIIF Division I in 2024. Hilo’s top scorers from the season include Pana (13.3 points per game), Josiah Williams (10.8 points per game) and Logan Querubin (10.6 points per game).