And can Kahuku — 13-1 and a league champ for the first time since 1968 — finally add a state basketball trophy to its crowded awards display?

The 12-team tournament starts today with four first-round games. The four seeded teams begin play in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

Team-by-team capsules | D2

BALDWIN

RECORD: 12-0

Head coach: Wayne Gushiken

LEAGUE FINISH: Won Maui Interscholastic League

Outlook: The Bears bring a wealth of tournament experience, as last year's state tournament team had no seniors on the roster. Senior forward Trenson Himalaya (6-0) and senior center Cody Nakamura (6-2) give Baldwin two big scoring threats on the front line, and guards Cody Tesoro (5-10) and Matt Heyd (5-11) provide outside shooting. Baldwin's only losses all season came to Iolani in December tournaments.

RECORD: 11-2

Head coach: Sol Batoon

LEAGUE FINISH: Second in O'ahu Interscholastic Association

Outlook: The Sabers have the best height of any team in the tournament, with 10 of the 12 players at least 6-feet tall. The Sabers have many scoring threats, led by Tristan Bailey, a 6-4 senior wing who can drain the 3-pointer, slash to the basket for layups or short jumpers and score on putbacks. The other primary threat is 6-4 senior Mark Sealy, a quick and athletic swingman. Senior forward James Bannister (6-4) comes off the bench and has a penchant to hit big shots, especially from the baseline. Senior guard Robert Morris (5-10) provides speed in the open court, and senior Daniel Phillips (6-8) is a big presence in the post.

IOLANI

RECORD: 14-0

Head coach: Mark Mugiishi

LEAGUE FINISH: Won Interscholastic League of Honolulu

Outlook: The Raiders have not lost to a Hawai'i opponent since Dec. 8, 2001, a streak of 97 games. Their only losses this season came to Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) and Rice (N.Y.). Iolani also defeated Male (Louisville, Ky.), which was ranked No. 8 in basketball-rich Kentucky. The Raiders are not very tall, with only one starter over 6-2, but forwards Kyle Pape (6-2) and Kawika Shoji (6-3) are athletic leapers who can rebound and shoot from the outside, and 5-11 post Wally Marciel is a physical junior who plays bigger than his height. Junior guard Vinny Nip (5-9) is a dangerous 3-point shooter with a quick release, and junior point guard Barry Kang (5-11) can drive and post up smaller defenders. Iolani likes to play an attacking pressure defense that most teams are not accustomed to facing, and if the Raiders have a lead late in the game, they can go to an effective delay offense.

KAHUKU

RECORD: 13-1

Head coach: Nathan James

LEAGUE FINISH: Won OIA

Outlook: The Red Raiders captured their first OIA title since 1968 with an athletic team that has three outstanding shooters — Junior Ale (6-1), Clinton Parks (5-10) and Shane Hayden (6-1) — plus powerful and quick inside players in brothers Devin (6-1) and Kevin Unga (6-2). All five players can run the floor and score in transition. Kahuku's only two losses all season were by one point each, to Campbell, 53-52, in the Campbell tournament and to Roosevelt, 54-53, on Jan. 28.

KAIMUKI

RECORD: 10-5

Head coach: Kelly Grant

LEAGUE FINISH: Fourth in OIA

Outlook: The Bulldogs are always a dangerous team in the postseason, reaching the state semifinals in 2003 and earning a state berth this year by knocking off OIA West co-champion Kapolei in the league quarterfinals. Center Jon Torres (6-3) is a big, strong presence who can cause matchup problems in the post. Swingman Isaiah Ano (6-1) is very athletic and can score, rebound and run the floor. Wing Jordan Wong (6-0) is a 3-point threat, as is Kalani Ahmad (5-9) off the bench. Point guard Kekoa Onaga (5-7) has quickness and provides steady ball-handling.

KALAHEO

RECORD: 11-3

Head coach: Chico Furtado

LEAGUE FINISH: Third in OIA

Outlook: As far as talent and size, the Mustangs have less than any of the previous Kalaheo teams that have made the state tournament. But they have made tremendous improvement since December, when it lost to Kaua'i 62-39. Guards Marvin Judd (5-8) and David Moore (6-0) are capable of 20-point nights, and point guard Chris Tumaneng (5-8) adds quickness and ball-handling. Sophomore center Tyler Caswell (6-5) is developing into a presence in the post.

KAMEHAMEHA

RECORD: 11-5

Head coach: Jesse Nakanishi

LEAGUE FINISH: Third in ILH

Outlook: The Warriors are blessed with overall team quickness, which enabled them to nearly upset Iolani in the ILH first round. Senior guard Ikaika Hardie (5-10) is one of the state's most underrated players, capable of scoring 25 points with outside shooting or drives to the basket. Sophomore guard Rykin Enos (5-10) is a dangerous shooter. Surprisingly, Kamehameha is one of the tournament's shortest teams, with only one player over 6-2.

KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI

RECORD: 7-6

Head coach: Lance Cagasan

LEAGUE FINISH: Tied for eighth in MIL; MIL tournament champ

Outlook: Kamehameha-Maui is the field's most surprising entry, having finished tied for eighth in the standings with a 4-6 record in its first varsity season. But the Warriors rebounded last week with victories over Lahainaluna, Lana'i (52-44) and St. Anthony (52-44) to win the MIL tournament and the league's second state berth. Junior guard Chris Dela Cruz scored 14 points in the upset of Lahainaluna, then had 15 points in the victory over Lana'i. Kees Mashino, another junior guard, added 12 points in each of the wins over Lana'i and St. Anthony.

KAUA'I

RECORD: 8-0

Head coach: Brandon Fujita

LEAGUE FINISH: Won Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation

Outlook: The Red Raiders will try to break the KIF's seven-game losing streak in first-round games. The last — and only — Garden Island team to advance past the first round was Kapa'a, which defeated Wai'anae in 1997. This year Kaua'i has a strong chance, with 6-8 center Va'a Tavana causing major matchup problems for opponents. Point guard Jeremy Manuel (5-6) was the KIF Player of the Year in 2004 for Waimea, and wing Josh Bradbury (6-0) is a dangerous outside shooter. Senior Kekoa Crowell, a 6-2 forward, adds athleticism.

KONAWAENA

RECORD: 17-1

Head coach: Donny Awa

LEAGUE FINISH: Won Big Island Interscholastic Federation

Outlook: The Wildcats are on a roll, having won 16 straight since a 53-51 loss to Kohala on Jan. 11. The player to watch is senior TJ Akina, an athletic swingman with a strong all-around game. Guards Sean Fujii (5-8) and Tony Guillermo (5-9) and forwards Shannon Hardie (6-0) and Evan Rogers (6-0) also help with the scoring burden. Fujii scored 40 points — including 12 3-pointers — in a victory over Parker on Jan. 29.

PUNAHOU

RECORD: 11-3

Head coach: Greg Tacon

LEAGUE FINISH: Second in the ILH

Outlook: The Buffanblu have come the closest of any Hawai'i team in the past four seasons to defeating Iolani, losing 52-50 on Jan. 21 and 44-43 on Feb. 10. They have one of the state's most exciting players in 5-8 sophomore guard Miah Ostrowski, the only returning player from last year's Advertiser All-State first team. Ostrowski averages 18.6 points per game, scoring off dazzling drives or pulling up for extra long 3-pointers. Fellow sophomore Spencer McLachlin, a 6-5 wing, also is a 3-point threat and presents matchup problems for opposing backcourts. Junior guard Danny Cho (5-9) is yet another top outside shooter, and unsung 6-2 junior forward Brenton Lee quietly gets key transition baskets. Post Kasey Ko (6-3) can hit the medium-range shot as well as provide rebounding, with help from fellow senior Ka'ohu Berg-Hee (6-3) off the bench.

WAIAKEA

RECORD: 14-3

Head coach: Jay Bartholomew

LEAGUE FINISH: Second in BIIF

Outlook: All three of the Warriors' regular and postseason losses came to Konawaena, the last one by a 75-52 score in the BIIF tournament final. Waiakea relies heavily on 3-point shooting, led by 5-11 senior guard Michael Belmes. Senior forward Chris Gorman (6-3) is another scoring threat, while 6-2 forward Jordan Cabreros provides rebounding and post defense and Jon Moniz (5-11) adds perimeter defense.