2004 ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
Low again shows he's the best

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Player of the year Derrick Low, Iolani Derrick Low, who averaged 14.9 points per game this season, has signed to play for Washington State University next season. Advertiser library photos

Low proceeded to add to his legacy in each successive year, and he ends his career with an unprecedented honor: a third straight Advertiser State Player of the Year award.

Low, a 6-foot-1 senior, garnered the most votes from a 10-member panel of coaches, officials and members of the media. Six voters had Low as the lone top player, while four voters added Kalaheo senior Sam Wilhoite as a Co-Player of the Year.

Others making the first team were Punahou freshman Jeremiah Ostrowski, Maui senior Gene Rivera and Kealakehe senior Kyle Teves.

Iolani's Mark Mugiishi was voted Coach of the Year.

Sam Wilhoite Kalaheo Center guided Mustangs to state title game.

Kyle Teves Kealakehe Led the Waveriders to state tournament for second time in three years.

Jeremiah Ostrowski Punahou Freshman averaged 14.1 points in ILH games.

Gene Rivera Maui Led Sabers to 28-0 MIL mark over two years.

That means Low often sat out all or most of the fourth period and often shared time in the first three.

Of course, stats were never overly important to Low or Mugiishi.

"Most outstanding players want to be in the limelight and put up good stats," Mugiishi said after the state championship game. "But Derrick has spent his entire career being unselfish and trying to make his teammates better. As talented as he is, he was more concerned about the whole team winning."

That's not to say Low's individual stats were nominal. In his final high school game, Low scored 24 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out three assists to lead the Raiders to a 64-54 victory over Kalaheo.

"He knows what it takes to lead this team," Mugiishi said.

Wilhoite, a 6-7 senior, virtually carried Kalaheo on his back for much of the season. He was the state's most dominating big man, leading all Hawai'i scorers with an average of 22 points per game.

Like Low, Wilhoite often was at his best in the biggest games.

He had a game-high 31 points, 15 rebounds and nine blocks to lead the Mustangs to a 60-44 victory over Mililani in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association title game.

In the state tournament, Wilhoite scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 55-44 quarterfinal victory over Kamehameha, had 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 62-43 semifinal win over Punahou, and 17 points and 14 rebounds in the championship loss to Iolani.

"You're not going to stop him no matter what," Low said after the state title game.

Ostrowski, a 5-9 shooting guard, is believed to be only the second freshman ever named to The Advertiser All-State first team. The first was Low three years ago.

Ostrowski made an immediate impact by averaging 14.1 points per game in the ILH season, then turned it up a notch at the state tournament.

He scored 15 points and dished out five assists in a 68-64 victory over Waiakea in a first-round game, had 21 points in a 74-55 quarterfinal win over Maui, poured in 24 points in a 62-43 semifinal loss to Kalaheo and had 26 points to help the Buffanblu defeat Mililani, 56-47, for third place.

"He's gonna be a great player," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said.

Rivera, a 6-3 guard, was the Valley Isle's top player and had to lead a team that lost the bulk of its talent from last year's squad that went 28-1. He struggled in the state tournament, but still showed glimpses of his smooth all-around play that helped the Sabers go 28-0 in the past two Maui Interscholastic League seasons.

Teves, a 6-2 forward, was the Big Island's best player and led Kealakehe to its second state tournament berth in three years. In the tournament, Teves scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 72-62 loss to Mililani in the first round.

Mugiishi won Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season after sharing last year's award with Kalaheo's retiring Pete Smith. Under Mugiishi's system featuring relentless pressure defense and patient fourth-period offense, only two Hawai'i teams — Punahou and Kalaheo — came within 10 points of the Raiders.

McKinley's Bob Morikuni and Kalaheo's Furtado — both first-year head coaches, also received votes.

Honorable mention

Guards: T.J. Akina, Konawaena; Ranson DeCosta, Damien; Will Elliott, Kalaheo; Theo Fujita, Kalaheo; Kawika Hepa, Kamehameha; Lokahi Holder, McKinley; David Johnson, University; Aaron Kanno, Mililani; Louis Mansanas, Jr., Castle; Jeremy Manuel, Waimea; Tauran Moore, Radford; Joe Nishimura, Moanalua; Alex Patykula, Mililani; Chris Perry, Mid-Pacific; Abel Werner, McKinley; Jon Yasuda, Iolani.

Forwards/centers: Chris Assily, Kaiser; Tristan Bailey, Campbell; Todd Blankenship, Iolani; Jordon Dizon, Waimea; Tevita Finau, Kahuku; Trenson Himalaya, Baldwin; Angelo Massey, Leilehua; Spencer McLachlin, Punahou; Nick Milan, Kaimuki; Warren Simanu, Kapolei; Zach Tollefson, Iolani.

Prep standout stacks up with best of all time

So, now that Derrick Low's high school basketball career finally is over, we can ask the burning question: Is he the greatest prep player Hawai'i has yet to produce?

Dennis Agena, who played for Farrington in the mid-1960s and has been coaching high school kids ever since, is diplomatic with his answer.

"I've seen a lot of good players, and Derrick is definitely one of the best to come out of Hawai'i," said Agena, who has run the enormously popular Kalakaua Foundation Clinics for the past 30 years and also had coaching stints at University High, Iolani and Kamehameha.

Here is a look at some of Hawai'i's greatest players in the past 30 years, with Agena's comments following the list:

Leroy Lutu, University (1977-80): Was a four-year starter and Advertiser State Player of the Year as a sophomore and senior, with Punahou's Darryl Gabriel winning in between. Gracefully smooth at 6 feet, 4 inches tall, Lutu had the power and moves in the post and the ability to dribble and shoot from the outside. Played in two Rose Bowls as a tight end for Washington.

Alika Smith, Kalaheo (1991-94): A rare (for Hawai'i) 6-2 guard, was a three-time unanimous Advertiser All-State first team choice. Could score from all angles and from anywhere on the court. Became a standout guard at Hawai'i.

Julian Sensley, Kalaheo (1997-99): At 6-8, Sensley had athleticism and skills rarely seen in a Hawai'i big man and was first-team All-State as a sophomore and junior. But he left the Mustangs after his junior season and finished his career at an East Coast prep school, where he developed into a top recruit. Now plays for Hawai'i.

George Puou, Kailua (1981-83): At 6-5, was a two-time O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division Player of the Year. A rare Hawai'i big man who could shoot from outside and run the floor. Became a standout at San Jose State and played professionally in Japan.

Dan Hale, Punahou (1978-81): Three-time Advertiser All-State first team selection. At 6-5, an athletic center who could score, rebound and block shots. Played at UH.

Sam Johnson, Moanalua (1979-81): Three-time Player of the Year in OIA Western Division. At 6-4, dominated inside. Played at UH.

Rodney Loo, Kaimuki/Kalani (1973-76): At 5-7, a dazzling ball-handler and scorer who was an All-OIA East all-star all four seasons.

Randy Canencia, University (1981-84): At 5-4, was a three-time ILH first team all-star and was ILH Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Amazingly, he almost never got a shot blocked or made a turnover despite his modest height.

Ia Saipa'ia, Punahou (1974-76): At 6-1, scored 38 points in the 1976 state championship game to set a record that still stands.

"Ia was one of the greatest players from Hawai'i who probably didn't get as much recognition," Agena said. "He could shoot and go inside or outside and handle the ball. But he wasn't always surrounded by the best players.

"Alika was more of a scorer; he didn't have to handle the ball as much as Derrick. Rodney Loo could dribble and score, but was smaller and didn't have Derrick's strength inside. All those guys — Leroy, Alika, Rodney Loo, George Puou — they were great players, but Derrick has the whole package. He can do everything, and he's one of the smartest players, too."

Agena said Low has another enduring quality that won't show up in any box score.

"He's a humble boy who has a good attitude and good character, and he continues to work hard," Agena said. "All four years after the state championship game, he was at the clinic the next morning. He deserves everything he's gotten."