KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena boys basketball logged four double-digit scorers en route to a 69-39 win over Kealakehe during Thursday night’s crosstown matchup inside Ellison Onizuka Gymnasium. It was the first of two matchups between the two schools this season.
The green and white overwhelmed the guests with aggressive half-court defense and playing with pace in transition, which exhausted the Waveriders.
The Wildcats, who improved to 8-11 overall, were spearheaded by Nainoa Galletes and Trey Guillermo, who each scored 13 points. Teammates Kyzer Kapuniai and Joven Young each added 10.
Guillermo leads Kona in scoring with 16.2 points per game against the BIIF. Galletes is averaging 14.3. In island play, the Wildcats score 56 points per game while allowing under 55.
Kealakehe dropped to 1-10 overall, and was led by Kamalu Pabre, who scored 13. The ‘Riders average 43 points per game in the conference.
Kona will aim to keep stacking wins in its next matchup against Kea‘au on Monday inside Cougar Gymnasium. When the two teams last met on Jan. 3, Kea‘au won a close 70-66 game.
Kealakehe will next be tested against Hilo tonight in a rematch from December, when the Vikings won in a 74-48 rout.
Across the island in Hilo town, the Kea‘au boys won their fifth game in six tries after a 39-29 victory over Waiakea on Thursday inside the Warriors’ gym. The Cougars elevated to 5-5 overall, while Waiakea dropped to 0-7.
Kea‘au’s Kaiana Miller finished with a game-high 16 points, adding to his 15.1 points-per-game- average this season. In 2025-26, Miller has reached double figures in scoring seven times. Teammate William Kirklin added eight points.
The Warriors were spearheaded by top scorer Janzen Hough, who logged 10 points. Damonte Mooek-Toledo scored eight.
While the Cougars are battling the Wildcats early next week, Waiakea will rematch local rival Hilo on Tuesday night at home. When the two teams last battled on Jan. 10, the Vikings won 78-50.
After falling to Kohala earlier in the week, the Honoka‘a boys got back on track with a 74-58 rout over Parker School on Thursday in Waimea. The Dragons improved to 7-3 overall, while the Bulls dropped to 3-5.
Honoka‘a, averaging nearly 74 points per game against the BIIF, will return to the hardwood against the Daggers on Tuesday in Pahoa town. When the two teams last played in December, the Dragons won 84-74.
The Bulls average nearly 42 points per game, and will next battle Christian Liberty Academy on Jan. 27 inside the SMART Center. When the two schools last played in early Decemeber, the Bulls won 57-31.
On the Hamakua Coast, the CLA boys edged Laupahoehoe 49-47 on Thursday on the road.
The Canefire average nearly 23 points per game, and will return to play the Seasiders on Thursday in Kea‘au.
Laupahoehoe averages nearly 30 points per game.
