The Hawai'i Baptist boys and 'Aiea girls bowling teams found a return to Lihu'e Bowling Center on Kaua'i to their liking.

Both teams won HHSAA/Billy Tees state championships yesterday, after having won two years ago on the same lanes. Last season, the HBA boys and 'Aiea girls finished third at Fort Shafter Lanes on O'ahu.

The HBA boys held a 380-pin advantage over second-place Mililani after Thursday when each team's five bowlers rolled six games. The Eagles finished with a nine-game total of 8,508. Mililani was second with 7,913 and Kapolei third with 7,710.

HBA senior Rich Kodama won the individual title with 1,848 pins. Peter Mochizuki was fourth with 1,708 and Micolas Ogawa was sixth with 1,678. All three were on HBA's state title team two years ago.

"I'm almost speechless I guess you could say," said Kodama. "I came into the tournament thinking I wouldn't medal, but I would just try my best. I never thought I'd get first."

Pearl City's James Pirtle was second with 1,839 and 'Aiea's Shane Dagdag was third with 1,749.

HBA's Ethan Kawada finished 12th with 1,654 and Cody Gibo was 21st with 1,623. The top 15 earned medals.

"We were a little more focused and wanted to return and win the title," HBA coach Greg Hayashi said.

Kodama said he averaged 175 as a freshman and 209 during this Interscholastic League of Honolulu season.

"His skill just improved every year he was out," Hayashi said.

The 'Aiea girls rallied from an 83-pin deficit after the first day of competition.

"We started slow the first day, and needed to refocus and change our attitude," 'Aiea coach Isaac Avilla said.

Na Ali'i had two medalists — Lianne Deeter (7th, 1,561 pins) and Holly Somera (14th, 1,497).

Ashley Primacio (17th), Adrienne Pang (26th) and Darcy Oyama (37th) also were on the team.

"The first thing is they tried to play every game like it was their last game," Avilla said.

HBA, which led after the first day, finished second with 7,233 and Pearl City was third with 7,187.

Kalani sophomore Dara Ajimine won the individual title with 1,686 pins. Pearl City's Seiko Santos was second with 1,661 and St. Andrew's Suzana Signaigo finished third with 1,658.

"The lanes were pretty fast," Ajimine said.