DIVISION I

DAMIEN

Coach: Michael Coito

Key players: Aminis Thompson (6-2, forward), Kai Lima (6-0, forward), Nikko Romuar (5-10, guard), Anthony Tuitele (5-10, guard).

Notes: Thompson is an all-around player ... Tuitele can hit the 3-pointer ... Sophomore Tim Smith will run the point in his first year of varsity play.

Coach speak: "We'll be relying on him (Smith) to lead us. He's up from the intermediate so he's got his ups and downs. He's pretty quick and we hope he steps up."

'IOLANI

Coach: Dr. Mark Mugiishi

Key players: Pablo Warner (6-2, jr., guard), Taylor Mounts (6-6, sr., post), Kela Marciel (5-10, jr. guard), Trevyn Tulonghari (6-0, fr., forward), Bricen McCartney (5-11, sr., guard), Berton Wong (5-11, sr., guard).

Notes: Team is small in size but deep, quick and athletic. Raiders will play an up-tempo game and utilize the bench a lot ... Warner is quick and explosive ... Just a freshman, Tulonghari could be the best all-around player on the squad ... Mounts provides a powerful post presence ... Team got great game experience from the 'Iolani Classic and the Arby's Classic in Tennessee.

Coach speak: "This year I'm letting the younger assistant coaches, Dean Shimamoto and Adam Wong, run the practices and their efforts are showing. The improvement in execution and effort has been remarkable in a very short time."

KAMEHAMEHA

Coach: Jesse Nakanishi

Key players: Auwae DeRego (6-2, jr., forward), Pi'i Minns (6-2, jr., guard).

Notes: Graduated entire starting lineup from last year ... Up and down tempo suits the team ... Role players will keep the Warriors moving.

Coach speak: "Should be an exciting season in the ILH once again. The boys set their goal for that ILH championship so I believe we'll compete night in and night out."

MARYKNOLL

Coach: Steve Hathaway

Key players: Richard Herring (6-2 guard/forward), Ross Lum (6-4, sr., center), Garrick Chock (5-11 sr. guard), Tyler Terai (5-7, jr., guard).

Notes: Spartans have 10 seniors on the team and a nice blend of size, quickness and shooters ... Team can go 10 or 11 players deep.

Coach speak: "I believe that our team has more balance than any of the last few Maryknoll teams. We have quick guards, shooters, and post players that can bang and score. The good thing about this team is that they can adjust to what style of play I want them to run."

MID-PACIFIC

Coach: Kevin O'Connell

Key players: Marcus Holyfield (6-2, jr., forward), Samson Won (5-7, jr., guard), Devon Takenaka (6-0, sr., forward), Kellar Ellsworth (6-2, sr., forward), Ryan Kurihara (5-8, sr. guard).

Notes: All five starters are back from last year and Owls have several quality players who moved up from the junior varsity team ... Owls had a strong showing in the preseason ... Holyfield, Won, Takenaka are the captains.

Coach speak: "We knew that our preseason schedule was going to be challenging — both in the number of games we were playing, and in the level of competition — but that's the best way we can prepare ourselves for what lies ahead."

PUNAHOU

Coach: Dan Hale

Key players: Kameron Steinhoff (6-4, sr., guard), Manti Te'o (6-2, jr., forward), Robert Toma (5-9, jr., guard), Dalton Hilliard (5-10, jr, guard), Sean McFadden (6-0, so., forward), Trevor Crabbe (6-6, sr., center), Kimo Makaula (6-3, jr., forward).

Notes: State runner-up last year ... Buffanblu are a deep team that can go 10 players deep ... Steinhoff is an offensive threat and Crabbe is quick ... Te'o posted up against taller players in preseason games ... Shane Yoshizawa and Matt Feldman will also contribute.

Coach speak: "We bring in guys who battle even everyday. We don't even call it our first team or second team."

SAINT LOUIS

Coach: Delbert Tengan

Key players: Cole Shidaki (6-2, sr., guard), Jamison Miller (6-5, sr., forward), Lucas Gonsalves (5-7, jr., guard), Michael Tuiloma (6-0, jr., forward), Micah McClinton (6-3, jr., forward).

Notes: Team started late because of the football team's run to the state championship game, which included Tengan, the football coach ... Beat Kalaheo at 'Iolani Classic ... Miller and Shidaki are in their fourth year with the varsity team.

Coach speak: "They (Miller and Shidaki) have been through a lot in the past four years. All that experience will come to fruition and come forth."

DIVISION II

ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC

Coach: Ryan Hogue

Key player: Brad Foster (6-0, jr. forward).

Notes: AOP lost ILH D-II co-player of the year Tri Bourne to graduation and first-team pick Keoni Daniels, who moved to North Carolina ... Hogue is also the athletic director and assistant dean at the 'Alewa Heights school. He was at Kalaheo last year, leading the junior varsity boys to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association title and the girls varsity to the OIA tournament.

Coach speak: "We will heavily rely on the talent and versatility of Brad Foster, who can do it all on the court."

ASSETS

Coach: Richard Kasuya

Key players: George Cambra (6-2, jr. forward), Grant Kitagawa (5-11, jr., forward), Rance Kuwata (5-7, sr., guard), Troy Toyama (5-11, sr., forward).

Notes: Young team with two seniors and several first-year players ... Cambra is athletic and will lead a balanced offensive attack ...Kitagawa and Toyama bring experience and Kuwata brings quickness, ball handling and has been shooting well in the preseason.

Coach speak: "We feel good about our returnees and believe that several of them are ready to make an impact this year. The key will be how well our younger players adjust to the level of competition in our very tough league."

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Coach: Raymond Park

Key players: Michael Urica (5-9, fr., guard), Jason Ko (5-9, so., guard).

Notes: Urica, the point guard, is quick to the ball on defense and offense, can hit from 3-point range and moves up from the intermediate program ... Ko can hit from mid range and behind the arc ... Young squad with three freshmen, five sophomores and three juniors.

Coach speak: "This year we have numbers and some height and speed. We want to try to pressure and trap the ball, something that we never did before. We will try to control the tempo of the game."

HANALANI

Coach: Robert Araki

Key players: Jon Cunningham (6-4, jr., forward), P.J. Minaya (5-9, so., guard).

Notes: Hanalani hopes to use its size and quickness to set the game's tone.

Coach speak: "What we lack in height, we need to make up in a fast-pace, up-and-down-the-court type of game."

HAWAI'I BAPTIST

Coach: Keith Sugiura

Key players: Dayne Kato (sr., guard), Phillip Sarubbi (sr., forward), Jason Liang (sr., forward), Kyle Barretta (jr., center).

Notes: The Eagles graduated a lot of experienced players, but have a mix of returnees and younger players that have the potential to complement each other ... HBA wants to run a half-court offense and transition when the opportunity arises ... Sugiura hopes the players can build a relationship with one another as more time is spent on the court.

Coach speak: "We hope to define ourselves on the defensive end and allow that effort to give us momentum on offense."

'IOLANI (I-AA)

Coach: Neal Tamabayashi

Key players: Mason Choy (5-11, sr., center), Kevin Serai (6-0, jr., forward/center), Matt Koyama (5-9, jr., forward).

Notes: Formerly Division II, ILH's four I-AA teams will play a double round-robin format against one another and have their own postseason tournament ... Five of 12 players were on 'Iolani's D-II state championship football team.

Coach speak: "We're trying to find an identity and chemistry with one another. We're working hard to come together and work together."

KAMEHAMEHA (I-AA)

Coach: Jayson Kauwenaole

Key players: Kai Rilliet (5-7, sr., guard), Conway Kaka (5-10, sr., guard/forward), Kepo'o Noa (5-11, jr., center), Kawai Makuakane (5-11, jr., forward), Wally Calistro (5-8, jr., guard).

Notes: Played a tough preseason against D-I teams .. Kauwenaole says team is improving.

Coach speak: "I'm proud of the fact they're good students and have a good attitude. Some have won non-sports awards and they're well-rounded."

LANAKILA BAPTIST

Coach: Bain Staples

Key players: Keawe Ochman (6-1, jr., forward), Chase Hazelwood (6-1, so., guard), Armando Cayabyab (6-1, jr., forward), Zach Ramos (5-8, so., guard), Christian Oasay (5-11, jr., forward), Cole DeYoung (6-1, jr., forward).

Notes: Ochman is quick and can play down low ... Cayabyab is one of several juniors who is stepping up to lead the team ... Young squad with no seniors.

Coach speak: "The future is really bright. We are going to win games but next year is even more promising."

LE JARDIN

Coach: Reed Olaso

Key players: Max Rausch (6-3, sr., post), Alex Gomes (5-11, jr., post), John Whitty (5-7, so., guard), Kalani Soeda, (6-0, so., guard).

Notes: Le Jardin plays an up-tempo motion offense ... Squad is young with lots of energy.

Coach speak: "One team, one sound, one soul, one heart."

LUTHERAN

Coach: Deems Utsumi

Key players: Michael Abang (5-2, sr., guard), David Cho (5-10, jr. forward).

Notes: Young and inexperienced team ... Utsumi said Cho works hard and is one of those "blue-collar guys."

Coach speak: "We're young and inexperienced, but we'll show up and play hard."

PUNAHOU (I-AA)

Coach: Gary Pacarro

Key players: Jeremy Kaimikaua (6-1, sr., guard /forward), Damian Pherigo (6-1, sr., forward), Pono Akina (6-2, sr., center).

Notes: Buffanblu will feature an up-tempo game with a full-court press and transition basketball.

Coach speak: "It's always been our philosophy to 'run, gun and have fun.' It's a total team effort. Everyone plays and contributes in every game.

SAINT LOUIS (I-AA)

Coach: Mark Pacarro

Notes: Brandon McKee was the team's leading scorer in two of three games at last week's Walter Wong Holiday Classic ... Crusaders lost to Cypress (Calif.) in the consolation championship game.

UNIVERSITY

Coach: Walt Quitan

Key players: Dylan Gomez (5-10, jr., guard), Noah Chong-Viernes (5-10, jr., guard), Bryan McGuiness (6-3, forward).

Notes: Team has three returning starters mixed with seven new players ... Junior 'Bows will play an up-tempo game and man-to-man defense.

Coach speak: "We have a tough preseason schedule and have started to play a lot better as of late. We hope to go back to the state tourney and advance further than last year."

WORD OF LIFE

Coach: Murphy Kealoha

Notes: Phillip Clarke had 19 points and Jared Shimabukuro added 10 in last week's season-opening loss to Hawai'i Baptist.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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