PAHALA — Kohala boys basketball picked up right where it left off.
On Thursday night inside Ka‘u District Gym, the defending Division II state champions beat the Trojans 61-41 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s (BIIF) season-opening matchup. The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, but the Cowboys found life after halftime and outscored Ka‘u 39-17 in the remaining two quarters to secure the double-digit victory.
The Trojans had their way with Kohala to begin the game, playing aggressive perimeter defense and scoring effectively in transition. The Cowboys — who play a fast-paced, egalitarian style — were slowed down and forced to play more half-court offense, allowing Ka‘u to stay in striking distance.
Once the Trojans sank a buzzer-beating half-court heave to lead 24-22 at the end of the second quarter, Kohala head coach Kihei Kapeliela’s halftime message to his boys was simple.
“We were expecting the boys to make some mistakes in the first half of the season, but we told them to just get the butterflies out of the way and tighten up the defense,” he told West Hawaii Today. “And that’s what we did.”
The Cowboys then immediately started firing on all cylinders to begin the second half, playing full-court defense which led to easy points off of forced turnovers. Collectively, Kohala forced 15 steals — with point guard Isaac Salvador-Libron leading the way with five of his own.
“I thought we were playing a little too safe defensively in the first half,” Kapeliela added. “But the boys trusted what we do at practice and started to play more aggressively.”
The Cowboys also got senior forward Jayden Hook involved more consistently, finishing with a game-high 18 points to go along with eight boards, three assists and two steals.
With former Kohala superstar guard Layden Kauka taking his talents to Utah Prep in Hurricane, Uta., Hook and Salvador-Libron are expected to fill the Cowboys’ void as the go-to guys on offense.
Kapeliela expressed his excitement for the pair stepping into new roles.
“Those two grew up playing next to (Kauka) their whole lives, so they’ve never really had these roles before,” he said. “So we just tell them to be aggressive and do their parts. We are going to run everything through them.”
Kohala’s 25-point third quarter set the tone for the remainder of the night, and the Trojans couldn’t counter. Salvador-Libron added 16 points and five assists, while teammate Hezekiah Wilson posted nine points, four rebounds, a steal and a block. Dillon Oandasan also added eight points and three steals.
Although Kohala lost Kauka to Utah and his older brother, Landon, to graduation, the Cowboys have several returners from their title team — including Hook, Salvador-Libron, Wilson, Oandasan, Isaiah Antonio, Lucky Kobeney, Royden Tabiolo and Jordan Manantan.
Coming off two straight state championships, Kapeliela explained that while the target on the team’s back will still remain large, some people have shockingly written off the champions.
“People have been saying we’re not a threat anymore because we lost (Kauka), and I don’t mind that,” he said. “I’d rather be the underdog. But coaches that really know the game know that our system is still in place, and we’re going to play the same way we always have. Our guys just need to keep buying in.”
The defending champs will next have non-conference matchups against Villa Park, Hawaii Baptist, Seabury Hall (rematch of last season’s HHSAA DII Championship), Saint Louis and Kalani before its home opener against Laupahoehoe on Dec. 17 in Kapa‘au. The Cowboys will also be awarded their 2023-24 state championship rings with their banner unveiled prior to tipoff that night.
“That night isn’t just for the boys, but for the entire fanbase and school community that supported us,” Kapeliela said. “They were with us until the very end.”
Although each season presents new challenges and circumstances, the goal remains the same for Kohala — state championship or bust. While this year’s Cowboys have a slightly different look to them, Kapeliela believes they have the talent and infrastructure to be in the mix for a title once again.
“It’s all about them buying in, every player has a job to do. It was the same way with our last two championship teams — they did exactly what they had to do. If everyone does that this year, I believe we have a really good chance.”
See the paper all season to follow Kohala’s title defense.
HPA 88, Laupahoehoe 36
Hawaii Preparatory Academy boys basketball got off on the right foot in the 2024-25 season, blasting the visiting Laupahoehoe Seasiders 88-36 on Thursday night inside Castle Gymnasium to move to 1-0.
Ka Makani set the tone from the opening tip, out-scoring the visitors 31-9 in the first quarter. HPA didn’t let up for the remainder of the game, winning every quarter of the night.
Ka Makani’s Keegan Hennessy posted a game-high 15 points, while teammate Gavin Rhodes scored 11. For the Seasiders, Tomcen Parel and Jayden Peters scored 12 points apiece, combining for eight 3-pointers made.
Ka Makani will return to the floor Monday night against Pahoa on the road, while the Seasiders will visit Christian Liberty Academy to face the Canefire that same night.
Ka‘u 45, Kaimzuki 27
During Thursday’s Sacred Hearts Tournament on O‘ahu, Ka‘u girls basketball bested Kaimuki in a non-conference matchup by a score of 45-27. It was the Lady Trojans’ first win of the year.
Ka‘u set the tone early, out-scoring the Lady Bulldogs 11-1 in the first quarter. Kaimuki couldn’t recover after that, and the Lady Trojans cruised to victory.
Ka‘u’s Caliyah Silva-Kamei led with a game-high 11 points, followed by teammates Jazmyn Navarro with nine and Shaylie Martinez with eight.
The Lady Bulldogs were led by Ilona Letuli with seven points.
The Lady Trojans also squared off against Sacred Hearts in the tournament Friday night. See next week’s paper to read the results.
Other scores
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain the results from the following basketball games by Saturday’s deadline. For readers that know the official scores, please email clangs@westhawaiitoday.com:
• 11/21 Hilo girls at Kea‘au
• 11/21 Parker girls at Pahoa