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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 20, 2008

Changes didn't hamper Rodrigues' game

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kalani rode Iwalani Rodrigues' versatility to the East title.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

George Weeks

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Even after switching to a rival school wearing a new uniform playing at a different time of year, Iwalani Rodrigues displayed the same graceful talent that helped her end up on a third straight O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship team.

Rodrigues, a 5-foot-10 senior guard/forward for Kalani, was named OIA East Division Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after a recent vote of league coaches.

After helping Roosevelt win back-to-back OIA titles for the first time, Rodrigues transferred to Kalani over the summer. She proceeded to lead the Falcons to a 10-2 record and the East crown, before they went on to win their first OIA Division I championship.

Rodrigues' fluid play fit in nicely with Kalani's team-based offense, as she helped bring the ball up the floor, feed entry passes into two posts and penetrate and dish to guards on the perimeter. That was when she wasn't scoring herself, either on fast-break layups or pull-up jumpers from mid-range or beyond the arc.

Rodrigues is joined on the OIA East All-Star first team by a former teammate, Roosevelt senior Dianna Zane, Moanalua senior Britni Ronolo, Kalani senior Rhianna Farm and Kaimuki junior Olivia Phommachanh.

Zane, a 5-4 point guard, had one of the season's best all-around performances when she posted 23 points, 10 steals, nine assists and eight rebounds in a victory over Kalaheo.

Ronolo, a 5-9 forward, also had an eye-opening performance when she scored 31 points and grabbed 20 rebounds against Kahuku.

Rodrigues was the only repeat first-team all-star selection; Zane and Phommachanh were second-team picks last season.

George Weeks, who took over the Kalani program on short notice last June, was named Coach of the Year.

Read Wes' blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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