Iolani, Kalaheo favorites to meet in state finals
| • | Iolani sophomore Derrick Low has already amazed many |
| • | This week's schedule |
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Iolani and Kalaheo, the state high school boys basketball finalists from last year, appear to be the favorites to meet again for this year's crown.
But there is a lot of basketball to be played between now and the Feb. 23 final.
Here is a quick look at some teams and players to watch until then:
IOLANI
The Raiders return four starters from a team that finished second in the state last year.
Sophomore Derrick Low, who was Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year as a freshman, has switched from shooting guard to the point. Forward Bobby Nash, a 6-foot-6 junior, has moved from the inside to the perimeter on offense where he appears to be more comfortable.
Senior guard Bobby Webster (6-2) is one of the state's top 3-point shooters, and 6-4 forward Jon Grobe is a good rebounder who also is dangerous from beyond the arc.
Senior center Tyler McCready (6-5) impressed Mainland coaches with his inside presence during the Iolani Prep Classic two weeks ago.
The Raiders also have a strong bench, led by guard Robert Mageo (5-10) and forward Joe Udell (6-3).
Iolani went 10-2 in the preseason, the only losses coming to Kalaheo (71-61) and Los Angeles power Fairfax (61-59). Low arrived late to the Kalaheo game and played only the final three minutes.
KALAHEO
The Mustangs had a rough preseason marked by injuries and illness. Still, they went 12-2, the only losses coming to Montrose Christian of Rockville, Md. (64-40) and Wilson of Florence, S.C. (61-56).
Montrose Christian was ranked No. 14 by USA Today at the time and Wilson was ranked No. 1 in South Carolina among 3A (second-highest level) schools.
Also, it should be noted that Kalaheo all-state guard DC Daniels was hampered by an ankle sprain against Montrose and did not play against Wilson.
Mustangs coach Pete Smith said Daniels, a 6-3 senior, should be ready for Thursday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association opener against Castle. When healthy, Daniels is an explosive driver and leaper who can score in bunches.
Senior forward Ikaika Alama-Francis (6-6) is a deadly 3-point shooter and very athletic near the basket. Michael Gayle, a 5-10 senior transfer from Castle, also can hit from long range and may be the team's best pure shooter.
Sophomore center Sam Wilhoite (6-5) is an athletic young player in the post.
Others who are expected to be key contributers for the Mustangs are 6-foot senior guard Justin Pedrina, 5-11 senior guards Charles Elliott and James Robertson, 6-foot senior forward Mike Garcia and 5-8 senior guard Shaine Harada.
PUNAHOU
The Buffanblu return nine players from a team that reached the state quarterfinals last year.
Punahou is a dark horse because of its height and strong backcourt. Senior guards Kynan Pang and Jason Ching, both 5-11, are experienced and are threats to score.
The Buffanblu are big up front with seniors John Freese (6-8), Ryan Zabriskie (6-5) and Dane Uperesa (6-5). Uperesa, a top college football prospect, adds muscle to the height.
Senior swingman Alex Fergus (6-0) was impressive in the Iolani Prep Classic.
MILILANI
The Trojans have one of the state's top players in 5-11 senior guard Rashaun Broadus, a second-team all-state selection last year.
Broadus, who signed with Western Washington in November, is a smooth ball-handler who can score from all angles.
He is complemented by post players Kaipo Patoc (6-2 senior) and Trey Brown (6-5 senior). Both were standouts on the Trojans' playoff football team, and Patoc has verbally committed to play football for the University of Hawai'i next season.
'AIEA
In terms of sheer number of returnees, Na Ali'i have to be considered a contender.
'Aiea returns 12 players from a team that finished 5-5 in the OIA West last season.
The key players to watch are all seniors: point guard Chris Antonio, shooting guard Wes Williams, shooting guard Daniel Min, small forward Aaron Powell and power forward Anthony Johnson.
ROOSEVELT
The Rough Riders' biggest problem is a lack of height, but they have good players who could develop into a dark horse team.
Senior Keola Stietzel (5-6) is a four-year starter at point guard who can handle the ball and score. Senior guard Casey Gouveia (5-9) is another strong ball-handler who is effective in the open court. Junior guard Bryson Borges (5-9) has shown promise in the preseason.
One of the keys will be how juniors Anthony Holyfield (6-0) and Shown Francis (6-1) and senior Laiana Wong (6-0) can match up against taller players in the paint.
Coach John Chung said Roosevelt will try to make up for its lack of size with up-tempo, pressure defense.
WAIAKEA/HILO/ST. JOSEPH
Waiakea, led by senior guards Branden Kawazoe and Abe Costa., opened some eyes by taking Kalaheo to two overtimes before losing 71-66 in the semifinals of the Big Island Candies tournament last month.
Hilo, led by 6-foot-5 senior Christian Basilio, also played Kalaheo tough before losing 61-55.
St. Joseph has height and talent in Che Doran (6-4) and 6-5 twins Luciano and Leandro Solano from Brazil. The Cardinals shocked St. Louis in the preseason.
All three teams are expected to contend for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship and could make noise in the state tournament.
LAHAINALUNA/MAUI/BALDWIN
Cheyne De La Garza, a 5-10 senior point guard who was a 2001 Maui Interscholastic League Co-Player of the Year, has transferred from Maui to Lahainaluna.
Maui is led by 6-7 senior center Dio Dante. Baldwin features two returning starters in 5-10 senior guard A.J. Garbin and 5-11 senior forward Brandon Anohima.
Like the BIIF, the MIL is expected to see a three-team race with the above three schools contending.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chris Beck, Moanalua; Joel Botelho, Castle; Lekeke Davis, Lana'i; Bully Fergustrom, Hawai'i Prep; James Kammerer, Kahuku; Jordan Montgomery, Kailua; Michael Proctor, Castle; Jason Rivers, St. Louis; Sam Satele, Kailua; Ely Sather, Kealakehe; Caleb Spencer, Kamehameha; Sean Uyehara, Kamehameha.
This week's schedule
ILH Boys
Friday
Maryknoll at Punahou, 6 p.m.
Kamehameha at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Mid-Pacific at Iolani, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Punahou at St. Louis, 4 p.m.
Iolani vs. Maryknoll at Damien, 7:30 p.m.
Damien at Kamehameha, 8 p.m.
OIA Boys
(all games to start 15 minutes after completion of 5 p.m. JV games)
Tomorrow
Kapolei at Mililani
Campbell at Waialua
Pearl City at Nanakuli
Waipahu at Radford
Leilehua at 'Aiea
Thursday
Moanalua at Kaiser
Kalaheo at Castle
Kalani at Kailua
Roosevelt at Kaimuki
Farrington at McKinley
Friday
Kapolei at Radford
Campbell at 'Aiea
Wai'anae at Mililani
Waipahu at Pearl City
Leilehua at Nanakuli
Saturday
Kalaheo at Moanalua
Kalani at Kaiser
Roosevelt at Castle
Farrington at Kailua
Kahuku at Kaimuki
