Hawaii Prep edges KS-Hawaii to return to D2 title game

Ka Makani avenged a 1-0 regular-season loss to the Warriors on Noah Balaam's (center) lone score of the game. Spencer Honda | SL

WAIPAHU — In Hawaii Prep's return to Division II, its lone blemish of the season in divisional play was a 1-0 loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii earlier in January.

Friday afternoon, Ka Makani avenged that loss by flipping that same score in their favor on Noah Balaam's 45th-minute goal to set up a return trip to Saturday's The Queen's Medical Center/HHSAA Division II State Championship game after a two-year absence of competing at the Division I level.

After 40 scoreless minutes to take the game to halftime at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex Stadium, the Warriors looked to have a prime opportunity less than five minutes into the second half with a corner kick incoming. Ka Makani successfully defended and quickly countered down the field with Balaam netting his sixth score of the season.

Hawaii Prep avenges a 1-0 regular-season loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii by flipping the score in their favor off a Noah Balaam goal in the 45th minute. Ka Makani make their return to the QMC/#HHSAA Division II title game. pic.twitter.com/nKDodckntT
— Spencer Honda (@SpncerHonda) February 15, 2020

HPA will take on defending state champion Kapaa Saturday evening with first kick slated for 5 p.m.

The last time Hawaii Prep competed in Division II was 2017 when it ousted Saint Louis, 2-1, in OT for its second consecutive koa trophy.

Kamehameha-Hawaii will try for its first state third place finish against Seabury Hall.