Wai'anae guard pushed speed limit
| • | Iolani's Pape stepped up game |
| • | Kahuku's Ale contributed in many ways |
| • | Komine came up big for AOP |
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Now you see him, now you don't.
That was how Wai'anae High School senior Xiro Naovalath made his unique splash in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division.
Naovalath
But Naovalath, a quicksilver 5-foot-8 guard who arrived from Minnesota in the fall and returned after the season ended, had enough of an impact to be named OIA West Player of the Year by league coaches.
Naovalath averaged more than 21 points per game, getting many of his baskets off of pickpocket steals and blurring drives through the lane. He had 40 points against Nanakuli, 32 points vs. Radford and 31 against Kapolei. He also showed great shooting range, draining seven 3-pointers in the Nanakuli game.
Also on the West's All-Star first team are Kapolei junior guard Brad Padayao, Leilehua senior forward BJ Fruean, Campbell senior forward Tristan Bailey and Pearl City senior center Ernest Vidinha.
Padayao helped the Hurricanes finish in a tie for first place in the West with a 9-1 record.
Fruean was a force in the post for Leilehua, helping the Mules qualify for the league playoffs with a 6-4 record. He played a key role in at least two close victories, scoring 23 points in a 57-56 win over Waipahu and 22 points in a 52-50 victory over arch rival Mililani.
Bailey was a consistent scorer for a Campbell team that tied Kapolei for the West title.
Vidinha, a transfer from Kamehameha, helped Pearl City finish 7-3 and tie for third place in the West.
Kapolei's Darren Camello was named Coach of the Year.
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