By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
‘Iolani freshman Derrick Low suffered from flu-like symptoms before last night’s game against Kamehameha.
But once the game started, he caught a serious case of In the Zone Syndrome.
Low scored 18 points as host ‘Iolani remained unbeaten by defeating Kamehameha, 55-41, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu basketball game.
"I was feeling a little sick, but we played good team ball," Low said. "I was throwing up this morning. I didn’t want to miss this game so I just had to come to school."
Low missed about half of the second quarter, skipped halftime warmups and didn’t start the fourth quarter. Most of his points came on layups.
"I had the mindset where every three or four minutes I was going to take him out and make sure he didn’t get dehydrated," said ‘Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi, whose team improved to 3-0.
Low said he spent most of his day at school resting, drinking fluids, and taking aspirin and ginger. Mugiishi said if any player misses school, he can’t play later that day.
"He’s got a lot of poise and that’s what impresses me the most," Kamehameha coach Micah Kroeger said. "He’s a leader out there, which is rare for a freshman."
Said Mugiishi: "His shot was off, but his ability to handle the ball, penetrate and break the defense down were not off."
In the first half, ‘Iolani went on a 12-4 run to take a 26-16 lead with 1:42 remaining.
Midway through the third quarter, Kroeger made a 5-for-5 substitution, benching four of his starters. This included Kolo Kapanui, who scored 16 points over the game’s first 21 minutes. The lone remaining starter left in was Sean Uyehara. Kroeger stuck with the smaller lineup for the remainder of the game.
"They (the starters) didn’t play hard and you don’t deserve to play if you don’t play hard," Kroeger said. "They don’t have the mindset of champions yet. That’s what we’re trying to build in them. You need to play every minute like it’s your last."
The Warriors, using an effective a 1-2-2 halfcourt trap, went on an 8-0 run and closed to 38-32 with 6:52 to play.
"They played hard and cut the lead to six," said Kroeger, whose team is 1-1. "It shows hard work can overcome talent any day."
‘Iolani responded with a 9-0 run to take its largest lead at 47-32 with 3:41 remaining. Low scored the first five points of the rally.
"I was happy we controlled the boards," Mugiishi said. "Sometimes we are weak rebounding, but we didn’t let that affect us today."
KAMEHAMEHA (1-1) 10 9 9 13-41
‘IOLANI (3-0) 14 14 10 17-55
KAMEHAMEHA — Eric Shaver 0, Mike Cummings 3, Kolo Kapanui 16, Nainoa Spencer 0, Sean Uyehara 13, Caleb Spencer 2, Mana Aweau 4, Nalu Perkins 2, Aaron Kahaloa 1, Willy Melemai 0.
‘IOLANI — Derrick Low 18, Travis McGaughy 8, Bobby Webster 8, Robert Mageo 0, Bronson Melemai 2, Bobby Nash 8, Tyler McCready 9, Joe Udell 0, Jon Grobe 2.
3-point goals: Kamehameha 2 (Uyehara). ‘Iolani 2 (McGaughy).
[back to top] |
