Kirk Imai scored 17 points Tuesday night and Keaau won overtime to continue its late-season surge with a 59-56 victory at its gym against Hilo, which clinched a playoff spot even as its four-game winning streak was being snapped.
The Vikings (6-6) secured the No. 4 in the Division I playoffs when Kealakehe lost to Konawaena on Tuesday. Hilo, which was led by Lawrence Padasdao (16 points) Isaac Liu (15) , will face Waiakea on Feb. 12 in the semifinals.
If only the Cougars (4-7) could have gotten hotter sooner. Rico Handy and Charles Caldwell finished with 13 points apiece for Keaau.