McKinley's Lee improves game, selected as Player of the Year

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

McKinley High junior Amber Lee has played only three years of organized basketball. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

As it is, she'll have to settle for OIA Eastern Division Player of the Year honors, the result of a vote by league coaches last week.

Lee, a 6-foot junior, began playing organized basketball only three years ago and last season was but a face in the crowd of OIA East honorable mention selectees.

But this year, she emerged as one of the state's best post players and led O'ahu scorers with a 17.8 points-per-game average.

"She's improving more and more, and that's because of her work ethic," McKinley coach Jesse Victorino said. "She tries hard in practice every single day."

Lee also averaged nine rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. But Victorino said statistics tell only part of Lee's story.

"People just looking at her stats don't know how good she is, because she's double- and triple-teamed all the time," Victorino said. "We really don't have another scoring threat like other teams do."

Like Lee, the East's four other all-star first-team members — Kamuki forward Dalia Solia, Kalaheo center Latoya Wily, Kalani guard Ashley Takata and Moanalua guard Patti Hardimon — all played pivotal roles in their teams' successes.

Solia, a junior, might have been the division's most athletic player. She averaged 17 points per game and led the East in 3-point baskets with 19, also scoring on smooth drives through the lane.

Wily, a sophomore, developed into a force in the low post and averaged 16.4 points per game.

Takata, a senior, averaged 14.4 points per game while drawing heavy defensive attention as one of the state's top outside shooters.

Hardimon, a junior, may not have scored as much as the other all-stars but her role was no less important. When Moanalua's starting point guard, Amy Kotani, was forced to sit out after suffering concussions, Hardimon took over and guided the team into the playoffs.

Victorino was named Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a 9-1 regular-season record and the East title. That included a historic victory over Kalaheo that snapped the Mustangs' four-year, 50-game OIA winning streak.