Kapolei Hurricane blown out by Mililani in debut
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
MILILANI — The newest varsity boys high school basketball program in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association made its debut last night against the second-newest and lost, 73-39.
The Kapolei Hurricane had to start somewhere, and their regular-season opener happened to be against Mililani, a team favored to win the OIA West Division.
Although the programs are the OIA's youngest, there is a 27-year age difference between them.
Kapolei is the first OIA program to make its varsity debut since Mililani in 1975. Like that Trojans team, the Hurricane have no juniors or seniors on their roster — just 11 sophomores and two freshmen.
"It's going to be hard, but it'll also be exciting to see the players grow," said Kapolei coach Darren Camello, who coached at Mililani for eight seasons before taking over the Hurricane program last year.
Last night was a baptism of fire for Kapolei, which fell behind 17-6 after one period and 37-20 by halftime. Trojans guard Rashaun Broadus, one of the state's top players, scored 20 of his 22 points before intermission.
As expected, the young Hurricane were plagued by inexperience. But when the school opened last year, it committed to jumping into varsity play by the second year rather than stay at the JV level.
"I can see the benefits of both sides," Camello said. "It's tough for freshmen and sophomores to play at this caliber, especially being able to handle the defensive pressure outside. But in the long run, it's going to help. We're getting beat up, but we have to keep teaching and the players just have to keep believing and keep their spirits up."
The teal-clad Hurricane, who do not have a gym, practice on outdoor courts and will play all their games on the road this season.
"They work hard and they've got some talent," Mililani coach Mike Coito said. "Darren's a good coach, and they didn't back down inside. They're pioneers. I'm sure they'll knock somebody off."
Kapolei 6 14 7 12—39
Mililani 17 20 21 15—73
Kapolei—E.J. Aton 12, Kaipo Enhada 4, Roland Mason 4, Hector Malazarte 4, Imiloa Sakai 4, Matthew Kelly 0, Keith Albano 0, Dandrell Corpus 2, Aaron Lewis 0, Zach Vierra 0, Ruben Orosco 2, Warren Simanu 7, Kimo Kiaha 0. Totals 12 15-23 39.
Mililani—Thompson Ah Loo 2, Jordan Woolsey 2, Brandyn Fidel 5, Gary Deliz 3, Nick White 0, Rashaun Broadus 22, Robert Cacace 4, Mitch Rose 2, Jose Santos 4, Andrew Min 0, Trey Brown 11, Alex Patykula 12, Kaipo Patoc 4, Simeon Tavares 0, Tony Gabriel 2. Totals 30 7-15 73.
3-point goals—Mililani 6 (Broadus 3, Brown, Fidel, Patykula).
• • •
'AIEA 59, LEILEHUA 50: Lamont Williams scored 15 points for Na Ali'i in their season-opening win against the Mules.
Leilehua's Derrick Thomas scored a game-high 21.
Leilehua 11 15 13 11—50
'Aiea 23 7 13 16—59
Leilehua—Andrew Talaeai 2, Demitirus Washington 3, TJ Brewington 0, John Dolac 8, Brandon Lowe 0, Kaimana Mehrtens 0, Zachary Anduha 0, Mike Helgerson 10, Zacarius Rivera 6, Derrick Thomas 21. Totals 15 19-32—50.
'Aiea—Nathan Olaivar 0, Jerome Duldulao 3, Chris Antonio 10, Daniel Min 3, Taylor Watanabe 4, Wes Williams 8, Aaron Powell 6, Arthur Phanphengdy 4, Anthony Johnson 6, Lamont Williams 15. Totals 19 16-25—59.
3-point goals—Leilehua 1 (Dolac). 'Aiea 5 (W. Williams 2, Antonio, Duldulao, Min).
JV—Leilehua 36, 'Aiea 29
• • •
CAMPBELL 56, WAIALUA 51: Jentel Morris scored 20 to lead the Sabers past the Bulldogs.
Jonathan Aceret scored 19 points for Waialua.
Campbell 8 12 25 11—56
Waialua 8 15 17 11—51
Campbell—Mark Villanueva 1, Jentel Morris 20, Eugene Dawson 8, Jacob Cadelinia 7, Kainoa Rapoza 8, Marlou Domingo 0, Norman Arce 0, Mark Palacios 2, Allen Brown 10, Del John Mangrobang 0. Totals 24 7-15 56.
Waialua—Daniel Jamora 10, Pookela Gasper 10, John Carrano 2, James Leong 0, Mark Hayes 0, Ikaika Soares 5, Aaron Agsalda 5, Micah Vasconcellos 0, Jonathan Aceret 19. Totals 20 9-17 51.
3-point goals—Campbell 1 (Morris), Waialua 2 (Soares, Agsalda).
JV—Campbell 42, Waialua 34.
• • •
RADFORD 71, WAIPAHU 51: Kula Tanuvasa had 19 points and Chris Williams 18 for the Rams.
Thomas Mason led Waipahu with 14 points.
Waipahu 6 14 9 22—51
Radford 18 19 21 13—71
Waipahu—Branden Chung 2, Bryan Acidera 0, Rumel Mejia 1, Thomas Mason 14, Jacob Aga 2, Francis Caliboso 9, Kenneth Cheers 10, Paulo Aga 0, Maurice Daniels 2, Chris Coloma 11, Fritz Crighton 0. Totals 20 8-13—51
Radford—Tauren Moore 9, Charles Seanior 5, Jeff O'Garro 0, Joshua Auelua 3, Kula Tanuvasa 19, Jay Johnson 12, Chris Williams 18, Daniel Downs 0, LaMichael Wilkens 5. Totals 24 32-19—71.
3-point goals—Waipahu 3 (Cheers 2, Caliboso). Radford 4 (Williams 2, Seanior, Johnson).
JV—Radford 54, Waipahu 51 (OT)
• • •
PEARL CITY 51, NANAKULI 33: Michael Adams scored 13 points, Kapena Wong added 10 points and visiting Pearl City broke open a close game with a 19-5 second period.
Rolando Celes led Nanakuli with 15 points.
Pearl City 9 19 13 10—51
Nanakuli 6 5 12 10—33
Pearl City—Isaiah Loquiao 0, Corey Tavares 3, Marcus Felder 7, Gabriel Spencer 4, Radley Balde 5, Richard Yuen 5, Royce Yuen 2, Patrick Viela 0, Kapena Wong 10, Michael Adams 13, Zen Watanabe 2. Totals 20 8-15 51.
Nanakuli—Jacob Kaawa 3, John Chandler 0, Eddie Ko 0, Rolando Celes 15, Alex Armstead 11, Alika Enos 0, Kaleo Enos 4, Jojo Wilkins 0. Totals 13 6-13 33.
3-point goals—Pearl City (Tavares, Balde, Ri. Yuen). Nanakuli (Armstead).
JV—Nanakuli 60, Pearl City 39.
— By Kiana Keopuhiwa
