State boys basketball tournament wide open with plenty of balance
• Boys Basketball Championship
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
 |
| Iolani junior guard Derrick Low, who scored 33 points in last season's state title game against Kalaheo, hopes to drive the Raiders to another title. Also in the tournament is Saint Louis, which is led by senior Jason Rivers, right. The tournament starts tomorrow.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
This year, you better believe it.
As proof, consider that perennial powerhouse Kalaheo — champion of the 22-team O'ahu Interscholastic Association — is seeded fourth.
Defending champion Iolani (14-0) of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu again is seeded No. 1, but Maui (14-0) is believed to be the first Maui Interscholastic League champion to be seeded as high as No. 2. Big Island Interscholastic Federation champ Kea'au (13-0) is the No. 3 seed in its first tournament appearance.
And unseeded Waimea, the champion of the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation, also comes in unbeaten at 8-0.
But wait, there's more.
Kaimuki is 11-2, but the two losses were by a total of three points, one in overtime and the other on a buzzer-beater. The Bulldogs finished third in the OIA, but finished third in last year's state tournament after ending up fourth in the OIA.
ILH runner-up Saint Louis (11-3) took Iolani to overtime before losing 54-47.
While this may not be the strongest tournament field in recent history, it could be the most balanced.
Maui is profiled in a related story (see Page D1). Here is a closer look at some of the teams expected to make the strongest runs at the title:
IOLANI
Coach: Mark Mugiishi
Record: 14-0
Summary: The Raiders have the state's most decorated junior ever in 6-foot-1 Derrick Low. Although Low has yet to turn 16, he already has been named ILH Player of the Year twice and has made The Advertiser All-State first team two years running.
He also was one of only about 20 underclassmen to participate in an exclusive Nike All-America camp last summer featuring 100 of the nation's top players. Low is Hawai'i's premier dribbler and can score on penetration or with an outside jumper.
Senior forward Bobby Nash (6-6) already has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Hawai'i next season. Even at his size, Nash is a deadly shooter with range extending beyond the arc. He also has improved his rebounding and defense.
Junior guard Ryan Hirata (5-8) is one of the state's top 3-point shooters who also can dribble, pass and play defense. The Raiders have other shooters like Kyle Pape (6-1) and Zach Tollefson (6-1), and a bunch of role-playing post men like Sean Carney (6-3), Chad Miller (6-6) and Todd Blankenship (6-2).
Iolani will apply heavy defensive pressure in the backcourt, and will go into an effective delay game if it holds a lead in the fourth period.
KEA'AU
Coach: Tim Lovejoy
Record: 13-0
Summary: The Cougars are only in their fourth year as a school and third as a varsity program. But Lovejoy is no stranger to the state tournament, having taken Honoka'a to a sixth-place finish in 1988 and third place in 1989. His Kea'au team will look familiar, employing an up-tempo style common among past BIIF representatives.
Directing the attack is point guard Sunny Amisone, a 5-8 senior who handles the ball well and can score but also is a defensive stopper. Sophomore forward Aukai Wong (6-1) is another athletic scorer who can shoot and rebound. Senior forward Josh Cabreros (6-0) can score from inside and out and rebound and play defense. Senior center Kai Calip (6-0) also helps out on the boards, and guards Roland Benevides (5-7) and Jordan Dean provide backcourt depth.
KALAHEO
Coach: Pete Smith
Record: 11-3
Summary: The Mustangs may be the hottest team in the tournament, having gone from the brink of league playoff qualifying to OIA champs in a matter of three weeks.
Junior center Sam Wilhoite, the only returning starter from last year's state runner-up team, is athletic at 6-7 and has emerged as one of the best pure post-up centers on O'ahu. Point guard Zane Cabral (5-7) has taken some of the scoring burden and has come up with clutch performances in the playoffs.
Sophomore guard Theo Fujita (5-9) is a shooter who will sink the 3-pointer if left open.
But Kalaheo has won six straight games largely on the strength of its defense. The Mustangs can force turnovers off halfcourt traps or full-court pressure, and they play good team defense.
This will be Smith's 17th state tournament, one for each year he has been Kalaheo's head coach (1984-86, 1990-03).
SAINT LOUIS
Coach: Delbert Tengan
Record: 11-3
Summary: The Crusaders have big, physical athletes who can run the floor and rebound. The most athletic is Jason Rivers, a 6-3 senior guard. Rivers usually scores off drives, but he also can spot up and hit the jumper if left open as well as provide suffocating defense, rebounding and shot-blocking.
Junior forward Desmond Hanohano (6-3) has developed into a solid inside scorer and rebounder, and he's helped in the paint by senior forward Wilson Afoa (6-3). Senior forward Timo Paepule is another strong inside-outside force, and the Saints will often look for these big men on pick-and-rolls to score easy baskets.
Senior point guard Jonah Lakatani (5-7) directs the offense and is tough to defend because of his lateral quickness. Junior guard B.J. Batts also provides quickness and is a threat from 3-point range.
KAIMUKI
Coach: Stephen Lee
Record: 11-2
Summary: The Bulldogs have two of the most talented players in the state in senior forward Daniel Tautofi (6-1) and junior wing Jimmy Miyasaka (6-1). Tautofi is perhaps the state's most versatile player, a powerful inside scorer and rebounder who also is a legitimate threat to hit the 3-pointer and penetrate on the dribble drive. he also handles the ball well enough to bring the ball up against full-court pressure and will find the open man on the break.
Miyasaka is similar, except in a more subtle way. He has deceptively quick spin moves and drives near the basket, and his good shot selection makes for high percentages even from long range. Miyasaka also is a master at drawing the foul and is a consistent free throw shooter.
Senior forward James Davis (6-2) and sophomore guard Isaiah Ano (6-0) are athletic jumpers who are dangerous on the break, and junior center Nick Milan (6-2) has made great strides as a scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. The recent addition of senior forward Junior Maiava (6-1) gives Kaimuki an added boost in the paint. Maiava was a key reserve on last year's team but just regained eligibility two weeks ago.
LEILEHUA
Coach: Keith Spencer
Record: 11-2
Summary: The Mules have about seven or eight players who are similar in size, traits and ability. Senior wing Andrew Talaeai (6-3) and junior guard Angelo Massey (6-3) are tall slashers who run and shoot well, as does senior forward Zac Rivera
(6-4). Senior point guard Demetrius Washington (5-11) has quickness in the open court and junior guard Tyrell Couch provides tough defense.
Leilehua has similar players in junior guard Angel Fontanez (5-10), junior forward Antonio Carter (6-0) and junior post Jonathan Scruggs (6-1). They all are athletic and can score from different angles.
KAMEHAMEHA
Coach: Darryl Gabriel
Record: 12-4
Summary: The Warriors often lack offensive firepower, but their stifling defense allows them to stay in games.
Kamehameha has two big, athletic post men who can jump in senior center Willie Melemai (6-6) and sophomore forward Waika Spencer (6-4). Senior guard Caleb Spencer (6-1) is another leaper who can score off drives and jumpers. Senior guard Eric Shaver is a solid ball-handler and shooter and senior guard Aaron Kahaloa (6-1) can hit the 3-pointer.
Senior guard Galen Santana is a tough defender in the Warriors' pressure matchup zone, which they execute well.
• • •
WHAT: Hawaiian Airlines Boys Basketball Championship
WHEN: Tomorrow-Saturday
WHERE: Blaisdell Arena
TICKETS: $7 adults, $5 students (kindergarten through 12th). Blaisdell Arena adds a 50-cent surcharge for each ticket.
PARKING: $3
TV: Saturday's championship game, 8 p.m., OC-16
Tomorrow
- Game 1 — Leilehua (11-2) vs. Waimea (8-0), 2:15 p.m.
- Game 2 — Waiakea (9-4) vs. Kamehameha (12-4), 4 p.m.
- Game 3 — Baldwin (10-4) vs. Mililani (9-5), 5:45 p.m.
- Game 4 — Saint Louis (11-3) vs. Kaimuki (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
- Game 5 — Losers of Games 2 & 3, 12:30 p.m.
- Game 6 — Kea'au (13-0) vs. Winner of Game 4, 2:15 p.m.
- Game 7 — Maui (14-0) vs. Winner of Game 1, 4 p.m.
- Game 8 — Iolani (14-0) vs. Winner of Game 3, 5:45 p.m.
- Game 9 — Kalaheo (11-3) vs. Winner of Game 2, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
- Game 10 — Losers of Games 1 & 4, 1:45 p.m.
- Game 11 — Losers of Games 8 & 9, 3:30 p.m.
- Game 12 — Losers of Games 6 & 7, 5:15 p.m.
- Game 13 — Winners of Games 6 & 7, 7 p.m.
- Game 14 — Winners of Games 8 & 9, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
- Game 15 — Winners of Games 5 & 10, 3 p.m.
- Game 16 — Winners of Games 11 & 12, 4:30 p.m.
- Game 17 — Losers of Games 13 & 14, 6 p.m.
- Game 18 — Winners of Games 13 & 14, 8 p.m.
