KS-Hawai’i Survives Late Charge to Hold Off Waiakea

Five days after losing control of a winnable game against Honoka’a, Kamehameha-Hawai’i was tasked with recovering and regrouping against Division I foe Waiakea.

Like Friday, Kamehameha-Hawai’i allowed Waiakea to turn a double-digit lead into a five point deficit with a lot of time remaining in the fourth quarter. Unlike the Honoka’a game, however, the Division II Warriors got it together and held off Waiakea 47-35.

Kamehameha-Hawai’i (10-7 overall, 5-3 Big Island Interscholastic Federation) was the beneficiary of a sloppy offensive first half from Waiakea. The home squad gave the ball away 14 times in the opening 16 minutes and struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-18.

Waiakea (6-6, 5-3) would not go quietly. Kaydee Rapozo hit two of her three treys in the third quarter, and Kamehameha-Hawai’i’s offense sputtered, giving the ball away six times to allow Waiakea to pull within seven, 36-29, at the end of the third quarter.

Waiakea kept charging ahead in the fourth quarter, as La’akea Paio found Sydney Layaoen cutting through the paint for an easy basket, cutting its deficit down to 36-31 with about 5:40 left to play.

Kamehameha-Hawai’i would have lost more of its lead, but Waiakea failed to hit free throws late. Waiakea missed its first six shots from the charity stripe and shot just 2-for-8 in the fourth quarter. Waiakea shot 8-for-17 from the free throw line for the game.

Caitlyn Poe allowed for a big sigh of relief for Kamehameha-Hawai’i, draining a key three-pointer with three minutes left to play to open up her team’s lead again to 40-31.

Riana Arima was a steady influence for Kamehameha-Hawai’i, scoring 18 points on 5-for-17 shooting. She also grabbed four rebounds and tallied three steals.

The breakout performance for Kamehameha-Hawai’i, however, came from freshman Taylor Sullivan, who started in place of Camille Poe. Sullivan, a quiet 5-foot-7 post player, scored 10 points and brought down six rebounds.

Rapozo scored 17 points to lead Waiakea. Layaoen added nine.

Kamehameha-Hawai’i 14 15 7 11 – 47

Waiakea 9 5 15 6 – 35

Tuesday’s BIIF girls basketball scoreboard

Kamehameha-Hawai’i 47, Waiakea 35

Hawai’i Preparatory Academy 31, Pahoa 26

Hilo 59, Kea’au 7

Konawaena 81, Ka’u 25

Honoka’a 39, Kealakehe 12