Posted on: Thursday, December 16, 2004

Iolani Classic will have D-II portion

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

To the list of basketball teams that have participated in the nationally renown Iolani Prep Classic over the years — a list that includes Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Dunbar (Baltimore) and Fairfax (Los Angeles) — you can soon add Academy of the Pacific (Alewa Heights) and Lana'i.

For the first time in its 21-year history, the Classic is adding a "Division II" bracket featuring AOP, Lana'i, ASSETS and Thompson Academy.

The four-team D-II tournament begins today at Iolani Gym, with AOP facing Lana'i at 6:30 p.m. followed by ASSETS vs. Thompson at 8. The traditional D-I tournament begins tomorrow with four games, including Radford, Kalaheo and Punahou against Mainland competition (see schedule below).

The Division II twist was added this year to "enhance" the Classic and provide a rare opportunity for smaller programs, according to tournament director Glenn Young.

"This is a way to get other teams to participate — teams that might not otherwise have a chance to be a part of a tournament like this," said Young, who founded the Classic in 1983. "I saw some Division II games last year, and I was impressed with how the kids played hard. Even if they were losing 80 to 20-something, they would compete till the end, they would dive for loose balls until the last minute. I thought they should be rewarded for that somehow."

Although the four Division II teams will be competing only against one another in the tournament, Young said "they will be treated like all the other teams in every other way," meaning they will have their names announced during games, receive the same Classic T-shirts and have their pictures in the same tournament souvenir programs as the big schools.

"What an opportunity for our kids — to be a part of such a prestigious event ... they're just thrilled," said AOP coach Bob Hogue. "It's a new experience for all of them. They've never experienced anything like this."

Hogue, a state senator (R-24th, Kailua-Kane'ohe), is in his first season as head coach. He said AOP epitomizes small-school programs.

"We have maybe 120 students in our high school, and part of the mission is to teach them how to handle challenges and adversity," Hogue said. "We want to provide an atmosphere where kids can succeed, and I'm trying to take that to the court."

ASSETS, a private school for students with special needs, and Thompson, a public on-line "E-school," are based in Honolulu.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.