Waiakea Runs Away From KS-Hawaii To Earn State DI Tourney Berth

With a state tournament berth on the line, the Waiakea Warriors played one of its best team games of the season, rolling past Kamehameha-Hawai`i 62-37 in the Division I semifinals of the KTA Super Stores / BIIF Boys Basketball Tournament.

Waiakea, the second-seeded representative in the tournament, will face top-seeded Konawaena for the tournament championship and a seeded spot in next week’s Hawaiian Airlines / Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Boys Basketball Tournament on Oahu.

Both teams struggled to begin the game, shooting a combined 5-for-30 from the floor. Turnovers became the difference in the second quarter as Kamehameha-Hawai`i gave the ball away seven times, limiting scoring chances and giving Waiakea an opportunity to open up a five point halftime advantage.

Waiakea pulled away in the third quarter, led by freshman Calvin Mattos, who scored seven of his 10 points in the frame. Kamehameha-Hawai`i, meanwhile, shot just 2-for-9 from the field and started to fade. The third-seeded Warriors shot just 4-for-23 in the second half and 11-for-45 in the game.

Waiakea was led by Lucas St. George’s 15 points and six rebounds. Maika`i Gahan, Dillon Rellez, and Kyle Kua-Ramirez each added nine points.

“We’ve got about seven or eight guys that can lead the team in scoring, so if everybody was selfless, we’d be a tough team to guard,” Lee said after the game.

Pukana Vincent scored 14 points for Kamehameha-Hawai`i. Bayley-Allen Manliguis followed with six points while battling foul trouble.

Waiakea’s matchup with Konawaena will tip-off at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Each team has a victory over one another, with Konawaena’s victory taking place during the regular season and breaking a tie to give the Wildcats the top seed in the tournament.

Konawaena defeated Hilo 68-42 to earn its berth to Saturday’s championship game.

Kamehameha-Hawai`i 8 13 9 7 – 37

Waiakea 9 17 18 18 – 62