In the last two years, Pahoa has overcome a lot of things. They've overcome small school numbers, lack of respect, and even after two straight state championship appearances, doubt that they can get back there again.

After Saturday's championship game of the Cardinal Classic, you can add another obstacle that the Daggers climbed over: an 18-2 first quarter defecit, en route to a comeback 55-53 win in a thriller over Hilo High.

Just a week prior in the Vikings own tournament, Hilo took the fifth place game over Pahoa 80-64, playing at a fast and furious pace, and after the first quarter and a half, it looked like the result would look extremely similar. Pahoa started to chip away in the second quarter, as five different players found the basket to inch away at the lead. Hilo started to tire a little bit after their fast pace in that quarter, shooting 25% in the frame (3-12).

Hilo continued to struggle from the field in the third quarter, shooting 4-for-15 in the quarter, but this time, Pahoa had a beating pulse, and an aggressive attack, led by junior Nicklas Fisher, who relentlessly drove to the basket, scoring seven points in the third. Devin Freitas-Gonsalves also found his stride, nailing two deep threes to help Pahoa get within two by the end of the third quarter.

Pahoa took their first lead in the game mid-way through the last quarter at 48-47, when Maverick Tebelak flashed to the basket and was found by Sonny Miguel, and Tebelak converted with 3:35 remaining. The lead went back and forth for a few minutes, with Hilo having one last chance to tie or win the game. Kainoa Kawaha threw up a contested three-pointer with two seconds left from the left corner, and Kamu Patnaude's follow up under the basket for the tie fell short, giving Pahoa the incredible comeback victory.

Devin Freitas Gonsalves led all scorers with 18 points for Pahoa, including four three pointers. Jalen Carvalho scored 13 points for Hilo, eleven coming in the first half. Both of them were named to the tournament's all-tourney team. Nicklas Fisher was the Classic's Most Valuable player.

Pahoa opens up the regular season on Tuesday night at Kea'au (7:15 pm, ESPNHawaii.com). Pahoa plans to honor deceased Kea'au student-athlete Maka Lum-Ho as players, coaches, and parents will wear patches of rememberance, according to parent Gwint Fisher. Meanwhile, Hilo heads off to Lahainaluna for their tournament next week, before opening their season at Kea'au on January 3rd.


2011 Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team

Deion Utrera (Kealakehe)
Devin Freitas-Gonsalves (Pahoa)
Kainoa Kawaha (Hilo)
Dakota Berman (HPA)
Sebastian Ohara-Saft (St. Joseph)
Jalen Carvalho (Hilo)

Most Valuable Player: Nicklas Fisher (Pahoa)