HILO — In the most critical game of the season thus far, second-seeded Waiakea girls basketball got the nod over No. 3 Hilo once again.
The Lady Warriors beat the Lady Vikings 45-32 on Monday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) DI semifinals matchup in Hilo town, advancing to tonight’s championship game at the Hilo Civic.
It was also the second time this season Waiakea outlasted Hilo, as the two teams matched up on Jan. 15.
The Lady Warriors played stifling defense in the first half, allowing under 10 points in both quarters. Their offense went up a notch in the third quarter, as Waiakea scored 16 points. Strong play on both sides of the ball led to the Lady Warriors coasting to the double-digit victory.
Kaya Texeira, Waiakea’s leading scorer at 11.5 points per game, talled a game-high 21 points. Running mate Bryia Carenio added 18.
Lady Vikings’ top scorer Anuhea Ferreira was the only player on her team in double-figure scoring, adding 12. Teammates Stephanie Hirowatari and Violet Ware combined for nine.
The Lady Warriors elevated to 8-7 overall and 7-6 in league play — averaging 40.9 points per game while allowing under 35. They are slated to play island powerhouse Konawaena at 7 p.m. tonight for the DI crown. The two teams have yet to face off this season, as Waiakea forfeited to the scheduled Jan. 22 matchup at home.
Regardless of tonight’s result, both teams are expected to compete in the HHSAA Division tournament, which begins Monday. See the paper in the coming days to read the results.
Hilo’s season has officially ended, finishing 6-13 overall and 5-8 in the BIIF. In island play, the Lady Vikings averaged 31.3 points per game.
Kona 87, Kea‘au 16
Another day, another dominant win from No. 1 Konawaena girls basketball.
The Lady Wildcats transferred their regular season dominance to the playoffs, routing fourth-seeded Kea‘au 87-16 during Monday’s BIIF DI semifinals inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. Improving to 20-3 overall, Kona won its sixth straight — set to face Waiakea in the DI championship tonight in Pahoa town. It was the fourth time the green and white scored 80-or-more points.
The winners incorporated their egalitarian offense once again, finishing the night with four double-digit scorers. Lady Wildcats guard Kaylie Yamasaki led the way with a game-high 15 points, followed by Shaileia Hookahi-Bannister with 12. Haikela Hiraishi and Caysea Kaupu also combined for 21.
Kona has averaged 74.6 points per game in the BIIF this season while allowing 13.3. The team’s +61.3 net rating is the best on the island. The Lady Wildcats are huge favorites heading into tonight’s championship, and will be expected to make noise in next week’s state tournament.
The Lady Cougars finished with no scorers in double digits, but Lenzy Adlawan had seven. Adlawan was the team’s top scorer in 2024-25, averaging 8.2 points per game. Kea‘au finished the year 3-9, with wins against Christian Liberty Academy, Parker School and Honoka‘a.
Pahoa 30, KSH 27
Second-seeded Pahoa girls basketball escaped No. 3 Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i in Monday’s BIIF DII semifinal, winning 30-27. The Lady Daggers will face first-seeded Kohala in tonight’s BIIF DII title game at 5 p.m. in Hilo.
The game was a defensive battle, as Pahoa’s 10-point first quarter was the only period that either team reached scoring double digits. The Lady Daggers did not have any scorers in double figures, but Sophia Moniz (9), Jill Shipp (8) and Teysia Tai (4) led the way for the winners.
The Lady Warriors’ Kacie Feebo-Santiago reached a game-high 13 points. Maci Lonokapu, Xiona Yagin, Melony Urbina and Shailan Benevides combined for 14.
Pahoa moved to 11-2 overall, averaging 48 points per game while allowing under 32. Moniz remains the team’s top scorer at 16.6 points per game.
Both of the Lady Daggers and Cowgirls will play in the HHSAA DII tournament, regardless of tonight’s championship outcome. The matchup is expected to be an exciting one, as Pahoa handed Kohala one of its two BIIF losses on Dec. 17, 2024 — winning 46-37.
KSH fell to 13-6 overall and 11-3 in the BIIF, but still has a chance of making the state tournament. The Lady Warriors will play Ka‘u at 3 p.m. this afternoon in the BIIF DII third-place game at the Civic, with the winner getting the chance to compete in the state tournament.
KSH averages 45.3 points per game while allowing under 32 in the BIIF.
Kohala 52, Ka‘u 36
First-seeded Kohala girls basketball handled business over No. 3 Ka‘u, winning 52-36 in Monday’s DII semifinal inside King Kamehameha Park Gymnasium. The Cowgirls improved to 16-3 overall, advancing to tonight’s island championship against Pahoa.
Kohala executed perfectly in both halves, including a 30-point second half. The paper was unable to obtain a top scorers list by deadline.
In league play, the Cowgirls average 55.2 points per game while allowing 25.7. They are also on a three-game win streak.
The Lady Trojans fell to 11-6 overall, but have a chance to punch their tickets to the state tournament if they beat KSH in the third-place game this evening. Ka‘u averages 43.4 points per game on the island and allows 38.3.
Honoka‘a 81, Waiakea 66
Honoka‘a boys basketball scored 80 or more for the sixth time this season after an 81-66 win over Waiakea on Monday at home.
The Dragons’ 27-point second quarter blew the game open, and the Warriors could not recover from there.
Kukia Tagabi, who averages nearly 24 points per game for Honoka‘a, dropped a game-high 30 points. Teammates Raven Labrador and Davis Aiona scored 20 and 18 points, respectively. The Dragons average an impressive 70.4 points per game on the island.
Waiakea had three double-figure scorers — Ethan Hough (19), Jayzen Hough (16) and Neikeias Une (12). The Warriors average nearly 57 points per game in the BIIF.
Now at 10-6 overall and 10-2 in the BIIF, Honoka‘a will continue to wrap up its season — next facing Kea‘au at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Honoka‘a town.
Waiakea has lost three straight, falling to 8-9 overall and 6-5 in the BIIF. The Warriors will next host Kohala at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Hilo town. Junior varsity will tip off first.