Big Island Boys Basketball Honors: HPA and Kohala Lead Big Hawaii Picks
Rewritten Article:
Havin' a Ball!
The Big Island's top basketball stars sparkled yet again, earning some well-deserved accolades. The 2024-25 All-Hawaii First and Second Teams for boys basketball have been unveiled, and the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) claimed a significant slice of the Division II pie.
ScoringLive announced its All-Hawaii selections, and the Big Island proved its might, dominating the Division II lists. Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) fielded two stalwarts in the DII teams - the sophomore forward, Vander Eberhard, sensationally making the first team, and senior forward Cam Root clinching a spot on the second team.
Eberhard and Root's imposing presence under the rim provided Ka Makani with an impressive dimension of size that left few teams green with envy. Ka Makani stormed into their first state-title game since 2014, boasting a commendable 21-8 overall record, and a spotless 12-2 BIIF record. Their journey culminated in a tantalizing second-place finish in the state championship after a narrow loss to Seabury Hall.
Eberhard and Root led the scoring charge for HPA, combining for a whopping 26 points per game. Eberhard notched double figures in 20 games, with a season-high 26 points against Honoka'a and KSH. Root, on the other hand, managed double digits in 12 games, scoring a season-best 16 points against Saint Louis.
Fred Wawner, the coach of Ka Makani, heaped praise on the duo, acknowledging their vital role in the team's success.
"These two were a blast to coach," said Wawner. "Their versatility and scoring prowess in tandem with their size gave us an edge. They played off each other exceptionally well, making our wins all the sweeter."
Root bid adieu to HPA this month, but Eberhard still has two more high-school basketball seasons ahead, and Wawner anticipates a soaring career for the young athlete.
"Vander's got sky-high potential," Wawner said gleefully. "He's got a treasure trove of talent, and he can contribute to teams on and off the court. The sky's the limit for him."
Kohala, another BIIF DII champion, also earned recognition, with senior forward Jayden Hook securing a position on the first team and junior guard Layden Kauka making the second team.
Their contributions propelled Kohala to an impressive 19-8 season, allowing them to clinch the island title against HPA on February 12. However, their state championship dreams were dashed by Seabury in the semifinals, following a hard-fought victory over Damien in the quarterfinals and Aiea in the third-place game.
Hook averaged 14 points per game, serving as the driving force behind the Cowboys' success. His agility, remarkable jumping ability, and propensity for attacking the rim set Cowboys apart from most teams. Kauka, who joined the team following a stint at Utah Prep, made an instant impact. In seven games, he scored in double digits every time, including a remarkable 34-point outburst in his Cowboys' debut on February 5. Kauka averaged a staggering 20.7 points per game while nailing 75% of his free-throws.
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- The Big Island's basketball stars, including Vander Eberhard from Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), have once again proven their worth, securing spots on the All-Hawaii First and Second Teams for boys basketball.
- Eberhard, a sophomore forward, and senior forward Cam Root, both from HPA, showcased their importance with their impressive performances, providing Ka Makani with an imposing presence under the rim.
- Kohala, another BIIF DII champion, further highlighted the significance of sports on the Big Island, as senior forward Jayden Hook and junior guard Layden Kauka earned places on the All-Hawaii First and Second Teams respectively.
- Fred Wawner, the coach of Ka Makani, acknowledges the key roles played by Eberhard and Root, appreciating their versatility, scoring prowess, and exceptional teamwork that contributed to their successful 2024-25 season.
