Waiakea Girls Hoops Tourney Tips Thursday

The high school basketball season is finally upon us.

Games on the Big Island kick off Thursday with the Waiakea High School Girls Basketball Tourney, a three day showcase featuring eight teams from across the state.

Waiakea, the tournament host this week, finished last season with a 13-7 overall record and a 7-4 mark in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation season. The Warriors went 3-1 in last year’s tournament, falling only to Maui High.

Reigning Division II state champion Kamehameha-Hawai`i is also in the field this year. The Warriors finished 17-6 last year, including victories over Honoka`a in the BIIF and Hawai`i High School Athletic Association championship games.

Maui High will visit the tournament once again this year. The Sabers went 12-3 in league and state play last year, losing in the state Division I quarterfinals to eventual champion Kamehameha-Kapalama.

Division I state semifinalist Hilo will face Maui in Thursday’s second game. The Vikings went 19-3 last season and lost to Kamehameha in the state semifinal. Hilo’s other two losses came to fellow state tournament teams, Konawaena and Mililani.

Speaking of the Oahu Interscholastic Association member from Oahu, the Trojans return to Waiakea’s tournament after going 3-1 in last year’s event. Mililani’s only loss came to host Waiakea. Mililani was 13-3 last year in state tournament play.

Play concludes Saturday with seven games, two of them featuring junior varsity teams. All games will be held on the Waiakea High School campus.

Waiakea High School Girls Basketball Tourney schedule

Thursday

3:00 p.m. – Kea`au vs. Hawai`i Preparatory Academy

4:30 p.m. – Maui vs. Hilo

6:00 p.m. – Waimea vs. Waiakea

7:30 p.m. – Kamehameha-Hawai`i vs. Mililani

Friday

3:00 p.m. – Hawai`i Prep vs. Waimea

4:30 p.m. – Mililani vs. Kea`au

6:00 p.m. – Waiakea vs. Maui

7:30 p.m. – Hilo vs. Kamehameha-Hawai`i

Saturday

10:00 a.m. – Waimea vs. Kea`au

11:30 a.m. – Hawai`i Prep vs. Waiakea

1:00 p.m. – Mililani vs. Hilo (JV game)

2:30 p.m. – Mililani vs. Hilo

4:00 p.m. – Maui vs. Kamehameha-Hawai`i

5:30 p.m. – Waiakea vs. Mililani (JV)

7:00 p.m. – Waiakea vs. Mililani