Hilo holds on to top spot
Hawai‘i-Hilo remained the top-ranked team in the NCAA West Region men’s basketball poll this week. The Vulcans, who were 2-1 last week, may now have the inside track on hosting the NCAA West Regional. The top eight teams in the final poll receive invitations to the NCAA Tournament with the top ranked team in each of the eight regions hosting the first rounds.
Hawai‘i-Hilo is idle this week and has just two games remaining. The Vulcans host Hawaii Pacific on February 22 and play at HPU on February 26. Two wins would appear to give the Vulcans a strong chance of hosting the West Regional.
Montana State-Billings moved into the poll this week, jumping all the way to No. 8. The Yellow-jackets have won eight straight conference games. BYU-Hawai‘i held at No. 9, where the Seasiders have sat for three weeks. MSU-Billings plays at BYU-Hawai‘i on Thursday and Saturday in two games that now have tournament implications for both teams.
Private school basketball back in action
While the third week of private school intramural middle school basketball games were canceled due to the heavy rains, play resumed Monday, February 7, with four games at Kahili Adventist School Gym.
In the first game, St. Catherine’s School defeated Kahili Adventist School, 32-18. Vaughn Nebre was the high scorer with 12 points for St. Catherine & Anthony Irek was leading scorer with 8 points for Kahili Adventist.
On the other court, St. Theresa’s School overpowered Kanu I ka Pono 48-13. Kiera Barba led the Saints with 12 points, and Chaz Dabin put in a pair for 4 points. The second round of games had Island School beating Kanu I ka Pono 46-16. Leading scoring honors for the Island School Voyagers were shared between Alex Pelacio and Canaan Higa, each chalking up 10 points. Arrisa Thronas & Kala Kauhane each put in 8 points for Kanu I Ka Pono.
On the other court, undefeated St. Theresa scored 44 points against Kahili Adventist’s 26.
Kiera Barba led St Teresa with 16 points, while Anthony Irek led the Kahili Geckos with 14 points.
In the five games held on Wednesday, February 9, St Catherine’s started things off with a win over Kanu I ka Pono, 34-16 at Kilauea Gym.
Vaughn Nebre was the high scorer for the Saints with 14 points, while Emmsley Drake downed 10 points for Kanu I Ka Pono. On the other side of the island, Kahili Adventist played host to four games.
Host Kahili won its game against Island School, 37-28. Kahili high scorers were Anthony Irek & Julius Tacadina for 14 points each. Cyrus Wu was the high shooter for Island with 10 points. On the other court, St Theresa out scored Olelo Christian Academy 32-19.
David Hesapane & Kiera Barba each contributed 8 points for St. Theresa., while Rebecca Luttrell led Olelo with 10 points.
The second round of play had Kahili outscoring Olelo, 40-26. Irek once again led the Kahili Geckos with 14 points, and JJ Amo was the top scorer for Olelo with 8 points.
On the other court, St. Theresa’s won a close one, defeating Island School 35-32. David Hesapane was high scorer for the Saints with 10 points while Canaan Higa led the Voyagers with 12 points.
The season is winding down, as there are two more weeks of play before the playoff tournament, scheduled for February 23 at Kahili Adventist School Gym.
