honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Quest for D-I crown has early marquee matchups

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kaimuki's Keone Reyes is a dominant inside force, who can also step out and hit the 3.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer

Kalaheo junior guard Cheynne Lishman is part of the Mustangs’ tall and balanced attack.

spacer spacer

Radford guard Travis Daniels is quick and excels in the open court.

Photos by JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer

‘Iolani’s Liloa Nobriga is a mobile sophomore forward for the five-time defending state champions.

spacer spacer

Campbell guard Mike Makinano is a dangerous shooter and scorer.

spacer spacer

Saint Louis senior center Scott Smith dominates in the post with his 6-foot-7, 245-pound frame.

spacer spacer

The Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Division I Championships get underway a day earlier than usual tonight.

The heavyweight showdowns also seem to be a day early, with today's quarterfinal-type first-round matchups featuring O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kalaheo vs. Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular-season champion Honoka'a and five-time defending state champ 'Iolani, of the Interscholastic of Honolulu, facing Maui Interscholastic League runner-up Baldwin.

Here is a closer look at all 12 tournament teams:

BALDWIN

Coach: Wayne Gushiken

Record: 8-3

Berth: MIL runner-up

NOTABLE: The Bears could have tied for the regular-season championship and forced a playoff, but lost to Lahainaluna in the league finale. They did rally to win the postseason tournament, only to fall to Kamehameha-Maui, 49-45, in overtime for the overall title. Junior forward Chase Nakamura (6-3) is an Advertiser All-State receiver in football and a very active scorer inside and in the open court. Junior center Jordan Helle (6-2) is an all-MIL quarterback and can be a force in the post. Baldwin is relatively young, with only three seniors (center Ike Duru, and guards John Salmo and John Cabael).

CAMPBELL

Coach: Bob Samson

Record: 10-5

Berth: OIA fourth place

NOTABLE: The Sabers are in their third straight state tournament. Junior guard Mike Makinano (5-11) is a dangerous shooter/scorer, but his status is said to be in question for tonight's game. Senior guard Jayden Delizo had a 23-point outing against Kalaheo in the OIA semifinals. Campbell doesn't mind getting into a running game.

HONOKA'A

Coach: Cheyenne Meyer

Record: 14-2

Berth: BIIF runner-up

NOTABLE: The Dragons actually won the BIIF regular-season championship, beating Kea'au in a special playoff. But they were upset by Konawaena, 61-58, in the league tournament semifinals. Junior swingman Kien Aveiro (6-0) is a top shooter, junior point guard Keala Freitas (5-9) runs the offense and senior Komokana Fernandez (6-0) and junior Damian Sabater-Hart control the post.

'IOLANI

Coach: Mark Mugiishi

Record: 10-2

Berth: ILH runner-up

NOTABLE: The Raiders are playing in the first round for the first time since 2000. They struggled offensively in their last outing, a 60-46 loss to Punahou in the regular-season finale. Senior guard Ryan Dung (6-0) has been the most consistent shooter and scorer, although fellow senior guard Case Miyahira (5-11) was the early scoring leader and is the team's purest shooter. Sophomore forward Liloa Nobriga (6-4) is mobile and can even bring the ball up the floor against pressure, creating matchup problems. Sophomore guard Kela Marciel (5-10) is a top defender. Sophomore forward Pablo Warner (6-2) is slender but has a knack for getting rebounds and scores often on putbacks.

KAIMUKI

Coach: Kelly Grant

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA champion

NOTABLE: The Bulldogs are peaking at the right time, after losing five games in the regular season. Senior forwards Keone Reyes (6-0) and Beau Albrechtson (6-4) can be unstoppable in the post, and they also can shoot 3-pointers. Senior guard Daniel Colon (5-9) is the steady factor in the backcourt, and he's also capable of scoring from inside and out. Senior point guard Brandon Madamba (5-7) has hit some big shots in the postseason.

KALAHEO

Coach: Chico Furtado

Record: 12-3

Berth: OIA runner-up

NOTABLE: The Mustangs are making their 17th consecutive state tournament appearance. They have a balanced scoring attack, led by junior guard Cheynne Lishman (6-1), senior forward Cliffton Pires (6-3), senior guard Chase Moses (6-2) and senior center Tyler Caswell (6-6). Junior Cody vonAppen (5-9) has taken over at point guard and provides steady ball-handling and aggressive defense. Senior guard Koa Siliga (5-9) is athletic and brings energy off the bench.

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I

Coach: Nelson Wong

Record: 15-2

Berth: BIIF champion

NOTABLE: The Warriors finished third in the BIIF regular season but won the postseason tournament and overall championship with victories over Honoka'a and Konawaena. They have six senior returnees from a team that played in last year's state tournament, led by guard Mea Wong (6-0). But several juniors, including forwards Kealoha Kramer (6-0), Hogan Rosehill (6-0) and Colten Collins (5-11), and guards Isaiah Kekaualua (5-11) and Russell Kackley (6-1), play significant roles.

KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI

Coach: Lance Cagasan

Record: 9-2

Berth: MIL champion

NOTABLE: The Warriors won the MIL regular season, lost to Baldwin in overtime in the postseason tournament final, 47-46, then won the special playoff last Saturday, 49-45, in overtime, for the overall championship. Kamehameha-Maui does not have great height (juniors Erwin DeCoite and Kaiea Medeiros are the tallest players at 6 feet 2) and are relatively young, with only two seniors (forwards Keaton Tam and Jordan Jenkins).

MOANALUA

Coach: Greg Tacon

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA fifth place

NOTABLE: Na Menehune are guard-oriented, led by explosive junior Stevie Austin (5-10). Junior forwards Josh Kure (6-2) and Ryan Hua (6-0) are good shooters and junior center Shawn Richey (6-3) is active. Senior forward Kris Lazarou (6-0) can hit big shots off the bench. First-year coach Tacon guided Punahou to three state tournament berths in five years.

PUNAHOU

Coach: Dan Hale

Record: 11-1

Berth: ILH champion

NOTABLE: The Buffanblu won their first ILH title since 1999 by snapping 'Iolani's six-year championship streak. They are led by explosive senior point guard Miah Ostrowski (5-9), who is a ball-handling wizard and can score in big bunches off a dazzling array of drives to the basket or a barrage of mid-range to 3-point outside shots. Senior forward Spencer McLachlin is another four-year letterman who is active in grabbing rebounds and scoring from out to mid-range. He also will shoot the occasional 3-pointer. Senior forward Kameron Steinhoff is an athletic complement to McLachlin in the post. Sophomore guard Dalton Hilliard (5-10) has tremendous quickness.

RADFORD

Coach: Kai Enos

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA third place

NOTABLE: The Rams are playing well, especially in the shooting department. Senior guard Gary Satterwhite (6-4) has a smooth, consistent jumper that can hit from mid-range to deep in 3-point territory. Senior guard Travis Daniels (5-9) is quick and can score on fast breaks, and senior guard So'oso'o Taulelei (6-4) can cause matchup problems with his size and deceptive speed in the open court. Senior forward Justin Lord (6-0) is athletic and can shoot, and senior center Antonio Williams (6-5) can score and rebound when he is active.

SAINT LOUIS

Coach: Delbert Tengan

Record: 12-3

Berth: ILH third place

NOTABLE: The Crusaders have been busy but are on a roll, having won three must-win games in convincing fashion. Senior center Scott Smith (6-7) is dominant in the post, grabbing a ton of rebounds and scoring often on putbacks. Junior guard Cole Shidaki (6-0) is a solid scorer who can shoot or score on creative drives in the open court. Senior guard Kuli'a Aiona (5-10) is a deadly mid-range shooter and has a knack for hitting key baskets. Senior forward Solomona Aigamaua (6-3) adds a physical complement to Smith and helps with scoring and rebounding. Junior forward Jamison Miller (6-5) is becoming more active.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.