Pahoa Aligned To The Top

Pahoa knew they had a good basketball team when the 2009-10 season started. A team that made the 2009 HHSAA tournament previously with a returning core of players. Led by Isaiah Ekau the BIIF DII league’s most versatile and dominant player. Ekau did it all this year. He rebounded, he scored, he altered shots and above all he led. Pahoa became a title contender with the addition of freshman Nick Fisher , a tall left handed scorer.

The Daggers started great and almost stole a win from Hilo at the Civic in their opener giving notice to everyone in the BIIF. They upset a very good DI Keaau Cougar team and played all the DI East teams extremly tough. Pahoa did not sport the best final season record, but just kept plugging along, vastly improving throughout the year. Then in the BIIF playoffs, Ekau made one great statement. Ekau made the final shot ending Kohala’s dream season and HHSAA berth. Ekau was definitely the story of the DII tournament.

Everyone wanted to see the Kohala vs St Joe rematch of 2009. But BIIF fans got Pahoa the unexpected dinner guest. In the BIIF final, St Joe was the clearly better team. St Joe frustrated a over anxious Pahoa team that got into foul trouble in a overly tight officiated game. But on Oahu in HHSAA the officiating style fit Pahoa’s physical style better. Pahoa flourished with defensive aggressiveness and teamwork. The small school of Pahoa now sits atop of the HHSAA DII Basketball World. For those who do not know what the Dagger's significance in the nick name of the school, (no it is not for the sport of chicken fighting) the Hawaiian word Pahoa means Dagger according to school officials. Although the Dagger might be thought of as a violent nick name, the dagger has always been a symbol in the ancient world as a most potent weapon for sustenance, fighting and protection. For Pahoa High School, who is constantly fighting for survival in a growing sprawling community they have met their challenge. Oh yes!