On paper, tournament offers parity
| • | Tournament bracket |
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Konawaena has a good chance of repeating as Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division I girls basketball champion this week, but No. 1 seed Punahou stands in the way.
Defending state runner-up Kahuku may be the strongest No. 3 seed in quite a while, although unseeded Kalaheo ran past the Red Raiders, 66-55, a little more than two weeks ago. And then there are league runners-up Iolani and Kaiser, which each took its respective league champion down to the wire during the regular season.
Such is the balanced 12-team field for the tournament, which begins today with four first-round games.
"There are at least six teams that have a really good chance of winning it all, and it's not far-fetched to see any of them do it," said HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya, who participated in Sunday's seeding meeting. "That's what should make this one of the most appealing tournaments in a long time — there are so many good matchups."
No. 2 Konawaena (13-0) returns four key players from its 2004 team, which was the first Neighbor Island squad in 18 years to win the state title. Those four — guards Hina Kimitete and Haunani Liftee and forwards Jessica Hanato and Jazzmin Awa Williams — have been teammates since their days in youth basketball.
"I think we have even more to prove this year," Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa said. "I don't think many people expect us to come back and win it again with only four players back, but I think we're on the right path. Having won last year, the girls are confident, but not over-confident."
Kahuku (14-1) returns only three players who saw significant action in last year's state championship loss to the Wildcats, but the Red Raiders won their second straight O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion thanks to a balanced attack led by guards Artevia Wily, Camilla Ah Hoy and Tina Soliai, plus forward Aisha Ale and a solid effort off the bench.
Kalaheo (14-2) took fifth in the OIA, but the Mustangs have been regarded as one of the state's top teams all season. Iolani (10-2) lost to Punahou, 35-32, on April 15, and Kaiser fell just short at Kahuku, 50-48, on April 8.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
