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ONLINE | BIIF SOFTBALL ROUNDUP B SPORTS INSIDE | PAGE 3B RANI HENDERSON RUNNIN’ WITH RANI For the last three years, Jose Graca has happily called Kona home. It was a dream turn to reality when the 41-year old triathlete came to the island in 2013 to train for the Hawaii IRONMAN World Championships that consists of a 2.4- mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. Graca was immediately captivated by the island’s close-knit community, widespread aloha, and laid-back vibe. The opportunity to swim with playful dolphins in Kailua Bay, ride past ancient lava flows and green pasturelands en route to the quaint town of Hawi, and to run along historic Alii Drive confirmed what he needed to do – move to Kona. “I lived on Oahu’s North Shore for six months and then I came to Kona in 2013 to train and do IRONMAN,” Graca said. “I just College Hoops: Hawaii advances in FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 | WEST HAWAII TODAY Big West Tourney SEE RANI PAGE 2B BIIF VOLLEYBALL SETTING THE STAGE From left, Kealakehe’s Jonah Kaulia and Blaine Broberg block a shot by Hawaii Prep’s Zach Chaikin in the first set of Thursday’s match at Kealakehe High School. RICK WINTERS/WEST HAWAII TODAY rwinters@westhawaiitoday.com KEALAKEHE WINS 2-SET HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BY RICK WINTERS WEST HAWAII TODAY Molina wins 3rd Hawaii Gatorade POY award SENIOR LED WILDCATS TO 26-1 RECORD, 2ND STRAIGHT HHSAA DIVISION I TITLE For Konawaena High School basketball player Chanelle Molina, after season awards for her outstanding player every year is becoming the norm. On March 10, the Wildcat phenom was named the Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The Gatorade Hawaii Girls Player of the Year award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Being honored with the award recognizes Molina as the best girls basketball player in Hawaii, and she will move on as a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month. Molina joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners, including Candace Parker, Maya Moore and Lisa Leslie. The 5-foot-7 senior guard led the Wildcats to a 26-1 record and their second straight Division I state title this past season. Molina averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, including a 24-point explosion during a 44-34 win over Maryknoll in the state championship game. The state’s two-time returning Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Molina is a fourtime Big Island Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year. Despite competing in sports year round, Molina has maintained a 3.45 GPA in the classroom. She has also volunteered locally on behalf of the Women’s Basketball Coaching Association’s Pink Zone initiative to promote breast cancer awareness and as part of an elementary school literacy-outreach initiative. Molina has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Washington State University this fall. Previous winners of the Gatorade Hawaii Girls Basketball Players of the Year award include Aliyah Pana (2012-13, Hilo High School), Dawnyelle Awa (2011-12, Konawaena High School), Maiki Viela (2010-11 & 2009- 10, Lahainaluna High School), Kanisha Bello (2008-09, Waiakea High School), Jamie Smith (2007-08, Iolani School) and Shawna-Lei Kuehu (2006–07, Punahou High School). In a hard fought, two-set battle, the Kealakehe High School volleyball team edged out Hawaii Preparatory Academy at the Waveriders’ gym on Thursday. After Kealakehe took the first set 25-23, Ka Makani took control the ball early in the second set. and it looked like the match might go the full distance. However, the Waveriders tied Hawaii Prep late and then went on an 8-point run to win the second set 25-17. “We hung tough and passed the ball well,” said Kealakehe coach Kahinu Lee. “We were able to keep the ball on our side of the net and chip away at the lead, and then we started to control the ball.” Kealakehe maintained a lead between one and four points for most of the first set, but Hawaii Prep tied the score late in the game at 23. The Waveriders caught a break on the next point as a Ka Makani kill shot by Char Pautz went long. With game point, a long rally ensured with bodies flying all over the court. Unfortunately for Hawaii Prep, the rally ended when another shot by Pautz sailed long. Kona a dream town for Graca First Aid - CPR - AED One day course $75 - Group rates available Courses scheduled each month or by request Meets requirements for OSHA, USCG, & others 808-329-7585 www.jacksdivinglocker.com Since 1981 Graca Coming up Saturday Bike Works presents the 9th Annual Run For the Hops 10K & 5K races at BMW Hawaii on Loloku Street. Start time for both races is 7:30 a.m. and is organized by People Advocacy For Trails Hawaii (PATH) to benefit the PATH Bike Ed Safety program for Hawaii Island fourth graders. For registration details and entry forms visit www.pathhawaii.org. Sunday Kiser Motorcycles and the Hawaii Cycling Club team up to present, The Dragon. Start time for the inaugural cycling hill climb event is 7 a.m. with race day check-in beginning at 6:15-6:40 a.m. at the scenic overlook park below Keauhou Shopping Center and next to the intersection of Kam III and Alii Drive. There is no race-day registration. For more information visit www.hawaiicyclingclub@ gmail.com. WEST HAWAII TODAY BATTLE OVER HPA SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE 3B


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