91直播 Preparatory Academy lacrosse did it again.
For the second time in three years, Ka Makani hoisted the esteemed Founder’s Cup Trophy, which is the unofficial state championship for 91直播 club lacrosse. But this time around, HPA won in a unique way on May 2 at Kalaheo High School.
Ka Makani took on Konawaena in the finals after beating Windward 12-2 in the semis — setting up an all-Big Island championship. Up 9-7 with a minute left, the Wildcats swiftly scored with 50 seconds on the clock, making it just a one-point game.
Kona won the faceoff following the goal, but goalie Conor Cavens and HPA’s defense held up in the closing seconds to escape with the 9-8 win — and the Founder’s Cup in hand.
“I got real nervous towards the end,” Ka Makani coach Will Zucker told the paper in a recent phone interview. “For a second I thought we could be heading to overtime.
“But it was magical for us. I’ve never been part of a team — player or coach — where we went undefeated.”
In addition to the state title, Ka Makani claimed its first undefeated season in program history — a perfect 7-0. It was a goal that HPA set its sights on when the season began in early April.
“This championship means a lot to us, knowing what our hard work could lead to,” senior Kingdon Simmons said. “We had a goal at the beginning of the season to stay undefeated, and we did that by showing up everyday ready to work.”
Simmons, Taiga Moriyama, Landon Wilson, Avery Lit, Dylan Huang and Makoto Lattin all scored in the finals.
HPA credited Konawaena for pushing them throughout the season. In addition to the nailbiter championship match, the two teams battled in the season opener — which ended up an overtime thriller. Zucker believed the close win set the tone for the rest of HPA’s season — enstilling the belief that anything was possible.
“That was one of the best games that I’ve been apart of, at any level,” he recalled. “We had big ball movement, smart play and we came out on top. It really helped our vision and mission.
“HPA and Konawaena have done this for (over a decade), and for us to both be in the finals was special. If Konawaena won, I would be almost as happy. We don’t exist without each other.”
The Wildcats, last year’s Founders’s Cup champions, held their heads high following the loss. Being a mature group that has won before, head coach Dan Curran is confident Kona will get back to the big stage.
The Wildcats dealt with some midseason adversity following the mid-March Kona low storm, where their practice field was flooded. Nonetheless, Curran believed the circumstances ultimately made the team stronger.
“This was a very talented group, and even though we didn’t get the result we wanted,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of how they responded to adversity — especially with the flooding of their school and having to transition to distance learning midway through the season. They showed resilience, character and heart all season. It’s a special group of kids, and I’ll miss our seniors.
“This experience will fuel us, and we’ll come back stronger.”
Since lacrosse is a non-HHSAA sport, HPA’s roster is a unique cast of characters. Some are first-time players like Simmons, others have been on the team since middle school. There are also a few girls on the team.
Zucker and his staff make one thing clear — if you want to learn the game, you can play on the team.
Simmons, typically a football and basketball player, enjoyed every minute of his first season with the sport. While his time with lacrosse was short, lifelong memories were made almost instantly.
“Something I’ll remember the most about this team was how close we got in the short amount of time we had,” he said. “I’ll remember and cherish this team forever.”
While the players come from different athletic backgrounds and circumstances, Zucker claimed he’s never been part of a group that came together so closely.
“I haven’t had a group of kids that were this bonded,” he said. “It was such a tight team. They were so committed.”
Christian Hunt, who has played for HPA since his middle school years, grew not only as a player, but also as a person. As a freshman player, Hunt asked to be named team captain — a prestigious honor that typically only upperclassmen take on.
“I’d be lying if I said the trophy wasn’t nice, but I think the most important thing is the effort you put in,” Hunt said. “Because to me, that’s an award in itself.
“I remember walking onto the field this year and seeing so many people there that we actually ran out of gear for everyone, which never happens. Even though we had to get more, it showed how special this season was. More than anything, this has been the best lacrosse season because of the amazing teammates I got to share it with and the work we all put in together.”
Another player, Brooke Hamilton, is one of the girls on the team who saw plenty of game action. While playing a sport with mostly boys can be daunting, Hamilton felt welcomed and supported by everyone involved with the team.
“A lot of people on the team had never played before, so it was a learning curve for many,” she said. “I will remember how the girls were supported and encouraged by our teammates and coaches to play, even though it is a predominantly male team.
“I feel so lucky to be a part of a team that truly loves one another through everything.”
Charlie Chen, who hails from China, is a four-year defenseman on the squad.
Zucker also gave credit to his assistant coaches — Willie Quayle and Jasen Trautwein — for helping develop the program to what it is today.
“(Quayle) has been with me on the staff almost the entire time (of the program’s existence),” Zucker said. “He started at Konawaena, and then moved to Waimea to become an integral part of HPA — both as a teacher and coach.
“(Trautwein) has been great at developing the scheme that we ran this year and bringing some focus to the team, which I think was really important. This doesn’t happen without Willie and Jason.”
The win wasn’t just for the HPA community, though — it was a win for the entire Big Island lacrosse scene. With the sport in its infancy across the Pacific islands, only five teams currently exist in 91直播: HPA, Konawaena, Punahou, Town and Windward. Zucker and Ka Makani hope that other Big Island athletes see that you don’t have to play an HHSAA sport to become a champion.
“Almost every football player that’s played for us and then gone to do another spring sport has come up to me and said they wished they played lacrosse all four years,” Zucker said. “It’s a pretty standard response for players who don’t join us until their senior year.
“We would love to help grow programs at other high schools, if they’re willing to talk with us and see what’s possible. I think if some kids came and watched us play, they’d adopt an interest. It’s an expensive sport, but we can overcome that.”
