Sophomore Kealen Figueroa sank a free throw with 2.5 seconds remaining, giving Kohala a thrilling 52-51 win over Hawaii Prep Wednesday in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys basketball game at Kapaau. Sophomore Kealen Figueroa sank a free throw with
Sophomore Kealen Figueroa sank a free throw with 2.5 seconds remaining, giving Kohala a thrilling 52-51 win over Hawaii Prep Wednesday in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys basketball game at Kapaau.
The host Cowboys (2-0) led 12-5 at the end of the first period before Ka Makani (1-1) rallied to take a 23-22 halftime lead.
HPA senior Jovan Crnic, a 6-foot-4 point guard who had a game-high 26 points, hit a free throw with 3.9 seconds left to tie the game at 51. But Figueroa was fouled on a drive, and he made the first of two free throws. Then when he missed the second shot, Ka Makani rebounded and missed a long desperation shot at the buzzer to end the game.
“It was a great game,” Kohala scorekeeper Deedee Fernandez said. “Both teams played good. Jovan (Crnic) is a good player, and he showed a lot of composure.”
Senior guard Kalai Kapeliela led Kohala with 13 points, while Makani Kualii and Hana Caravalho each added 12. Junior Kalan Camero followed Crnic with 14 points for the defending BIIF Division II champions.
In the junior varsity game, Kohala beat Hawaii Prep 44-31. Shawn Estabilio led the hosts with 14 points, and Kainalu Emeliano-Solomon had 12.
Colin Yates had 11 points and Victor Lee 10 for the visitors.
Hawaii Prep 5 18 12 16 — 51
Kohala 12 10 13 17 — 52
Konawaena 70, Kealakehe 47: Brenton Shropshire scored a game-high 18 points for the Wildcats at Onizuka Gymnasium.
Jonah Bredeson and Nick Mims added 10 points apiece for Konawaena, which improved to 2-0.
Deion Utrera, Keanu Tilfas and Kainalu Lozano each scored 11 points for the Waveriders (1-2).
In the JV game, Konawaena defeated Kealakehe 47-43 in overtime.
Kealakehe 6 14 14 13 — 47
Konawaena 15 23 12 20 — 70
Hilo 55, Pahoa 22: Kian Kurokawa scored 16 points, and Jacob Genegabus added 13 to lead the visiting Vikings (2-0).
Senior Nick Fisher led the Daggers (2-1) with eight points.
In the JV game, Hilo defeated Pahoa 64-35 behind 18 points from Sione Atuekaho and 10 from Dane Foster. Keinan Agonias topped Pahoa with 12 points.
Hilo 10 15 15 15 — 55
Pahoa 3 5 6 8 — 22
Keaau 57, St. Joseph 17: At Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Aynns Ines scored 14 points, and Charlie Belmes and Edgar Ventura each added eight to lead the visiting Cougars (2-0).
Freshman Cole DeSilva had nine points, and junior Ben Uhlmann chipped in with five for the Cardinals (0-3).
Keaau 17 20 8 12 — 57
St. Joseog 2 3 9 3 — 17
Waiakea 49, Ka’u 37: Bryson Ita scored 16 points, Maikai Gahan added 14, and Owen Sandstrom had 13 to lead the host Warriors (1-1).
Royden Esperon topped the Trojans (1-2) with nine points, and Alexis Alejo had eight.
In the JV game, Waiakea beat Ka’u 47-23. Joey Ongais had 10 points, and Jayston Prudencio scored nine for the Warriors. Chance Emmsley and Franklin Orcino each had six for the Trojans.
Ka’u 8 19 3 7 — 37
Waiakea 9 13 14 13 — 49
