Video by David Corrigan
The Konawaena Wildcats dominated the playoffs in route to a BIIF Division I girls basketball title, defeating Waiakea in the final before 2,000 fans at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Controlling much of the game after an early Waiakea lead slipped away in the first quarter, the powerhouse Konawaena had more than doubled the Warriors’ 15 points of offense by halftime, (31 to 15).
Waiakea closed that lead slightly with an agressive full court press in the second half, but even as the east side team’s momentum improved, the game clock was against them. Kona endd up winning the contest, 50-37.
Konawaena will now look to defend their state championship as the number #1 seed, facing the winner of the Baldwin vs. Kapolei game held at McKinley High School on February 17. Waiakea will also head to Oahu to face Moanalua in the first round of the state tournament at Radford High School on Tuesday.
