ILH Division II: China excels in platoon system

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the second year in a row, Punahou's three-platoon system has produced an ILH Division II championship, plus Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.

The Buffanblu (12-0) won their second straight title by using coach Gary Pacarro's platoon system, in which he substituted three five-man units. Last year, Punahou's Adam Edwards was named the league's Player of the Year despite sharing playing time, and this season the Buffanblu's Michael China, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, won top honors in a vote of ILH coaches.

Pacarro was named Co-Coach of the Year along with Lutheran's Deems Utsumi. Lutheran finished third in the ILH with a 9-3 record.

China is joined on the Division II all-star first team by teammate Jordan Moss, Lutheran's Amani Evensen, Hawai'i Baptist's Will Stinton, Word of Life's Brashton Satele and Hanalani's Keoni Haole.

Moss is a 5-9 senior, Evensen a 6-foot senior, Stinton a 6-2 senior, Satele a 6-1 junior and Haole a 5-4 junior. Stinton had a 25-point performance in a victory over Lanakila Baptist and 24 points in a win over Hanalani.

Satele scored 21 points in a 60-59 overtime victory over Hanalani and 20 points in a 57-53 overtime win over Hawai'i Baptist.