Fairfax (Los Angeles) High School center Renardo Sidney Jr. showed last night that there is more than one big-time, big-man college basketball prospect on the 'Iolani School campus this week.

Sidney, a 6-foot-11, 259-pound senior, scored 20 points and displayed a multitude of skills last night in a 68-40 victory over Kamehameha in the first round of the 25th Annual 'Iolani Prep Classic. Fairfax, No. 9 in USA Today's latest Super 25 rankings, will play Putnam City (Oklahoma City, Okla.) in tonight's quarterfinals at 6:30.

Before a near-capacity crowd of about 1,000 at 'Iolani last night, Kamehameha made things a little interesting midway through the second period after a 3-pointer cut it to 25-19, but Sidney immediately answered with a 3-pointer from the left wing. After a Warriors basket closed it to 28-21, Sidney again swished a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 10 points, and Kamehameha never got closer than that again.

"They shot lights out in the first half," Warriors coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "We were only down by six, but then they had a run of 3s and layups. Our game plan was to force them to take the outside shot, that's what we wanted. And they did."

Nakanishi said Sidney proved tough to defend.

"He's aggressive, he hits 3s, he's on the boards ..." Nakanishi said. "He's got it all."

Sidney, who grew up in Mississippi, said he was mostly a football player in his early childhood but hit the basketball court one day and things came naturally to him.

"I'm thankful I can do all the things I can," Sidney said. "And I'm thankful to my dad for pushing me and working with me."

Renardo Sidney Sr. has been his son's AAU coach and personal trainer since he was in the seventh grade and taught the talented big man all the little-man skills as well.

"He's been my workout guy," Sidney said. "I've never had a trainer other than him."

Among other skills, Sidney made several no-look touch passes to open teammates in the lane.

"He's a phenomenal player," Fairfax coach Harvey Kitani said. "He's been taught well by his father, and he developed all his skills. He's a tremendous passer, and that's the sign of an intelligent player who knows the game. He just keeps getting better, and he can get as good as he wants to get."

Sidney has not yet signed a national letter of intent but is considering UCLA, Southern California, Mississippi State and Virginia.

"I haven't made my mind up," Sidney said. "Right now I'm focused on this season."

That includes a potential matchup this week against LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.), USA Today's No. 7-ranked team that features 6-foot-11 center Demarcus Cousins, another big man with all-around skills.

"I never played against him," Sidney said. "Hopefully, we'll meet in the championship game."

PUTNAM CITY 50, KAIMUKI 40

Garen Wright scored 17 points and Kyle Hardrick added 15 points to lead the Pirates — who are from Oklahoma City, Okla. — past the Bulldogs.

Desmond Tautofi led Kaimuki with 10 points. Putnam City led, 24-19, at halftime and 39-28 after three periods.

WHITNEY YOUNG 59, MOANALUA 35

Na Menehune led 20-15 after Randy Starks' basket with 5:15 remaining in the second period, but the Dolphins — who are from Chicago and ranked No. 24 by USA Today — finished the half with a 14-0 run and never looked back.

Marcus Monroe led Moanalua with 14 points.

OAK HILL 78, MID-PACIFIC 44

Doron Lamb scored 17 points and Keith "Tiny" Gallon added 15 points to lead the Red Devils — who are from Mouth of Wilson, Va., and ranked No. 5 by USA Today — past the Owls.

Marcus Holyfield led MPI with 18 points.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com