Richardson focuses on finishing strong
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kalaheo High senior Brandy Richardson gathered in a rebound on Saturday night, fluidly weaved her way downcourt through the Moanalua defense and took it in for a breakaway layup.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
It was not unlike hundreds of other baskets Richardson had scored for the Mustangs in the past four years, except for one thing.
Kalaheo's Brandy Richardson, a two-time state Player of the Year, hopes to play a full season for the Mustangs.
It might have been her last.
Nothing — not even a planned transfer to Southern California power Brea Olinda nine months ago — had stopped Richardson from filling up the hoop for Kalaheo. Countless opponents have failed to shut down the 5-foot-10 senior, who is the reigning two-time Advertiser state Player of the Year. But the teachers strike set for Thursday might do the trick.
"I was looking forward to a full season, so it hasn't hit me yet," Richardson said. "It will if the strike happens. But I don't think it's going to happen."
The walkout might be averted, or it might just cause the postponement of a few games. But in the worst-case scenario, a prolonged strike could wipe out the remainder of the season and cost Richardson a shot at the state championship she and the Mustangs have narrowly missed out on claiming three times.
It also would rob fans of the opportunity to further witness the second-most prolific career in Hawai'i high school girls basketball history. The consensus among longtime observers is that Richardson's achievements are surpassed only by those of her cousin, Nani Cockett, a former Kamehameha Schools star and three-time state Player of the Year.
The loss of this season would translate into cruel irony for Richardson, who gave up a chance to gain broader exposure and experience at Brea Olinda. But she said she has not had one moment of regret since leaving Southern California after only one week there last summer.
"I know how it is on the Mainland already," said Richardson, who has signed to play for UC Santa Barbara next fall. "Hawai'i has some tough girls, too. It's not like it's a way lower level here. I think I've played against some better teams here than on the Mainland."
A strike might prevent Richardson from facing those teams again. And people in Hawai'i wouldn't be the only ones asking, "What if?"
Brea Olinda, which won the California Interscholastic Federation Division II championship last season, was knocked out in this year's state semifinals.
"It's a hindsight thing," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said. "Nobody knew back then (last summer) that this strike might happen. If we could foresee the future, 99 percent of our decisions would be the right ones. But we make decisions based on happiness, and the fact that Brandy said she still has no regrets says a lot about her character.
"Spending her senior year here with her family and friends is more important to her than playing a full season."
Still, Furtado is praying the season won't be interrupted or canceled.
"I've been an educator myself for 20 years, and I have the greatest respect for the teachers," said Furtado, a counselor at Maryknoll School. "But if they go on strike, their actions are going to affect a big part of these kids' lives. My daughter (Nicole) is a senior here, and I'd hate to have her graduation affected."
If the threat of a strike has affected Richardson's play, it didn't show in Saturday's 65-34 victory. She scored only nine points, but had six rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block in about three quarters of action. Moanalua did a better job than most teams as far as collapsing on Richardson and limiting her shot attempts. She had only eight looks at the basket.
Two days before the game, Richardson had emphasized the strength of local girls basketball.
"Hawai'i girls can compete anywhere," she said.
Anywhere, that is, where there are no picket lines.
