honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 21, 2008

Hotshot Makinano rounded out his game

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Campbell's Mike Makinano proved he's more than a perimeter threat.

Advertiser library photo

spacer spacer
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Gary Ellison

spacer spacer

Capping a three-year run of sharp shooting in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, Campbell senior Mike Makinano rode off into the sunset as the top gun in the West.

Makinano, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward, was named Player of the Year in the OIA's Western Division after a recent vote of league coaches.

He burst upon the scene as a sophomore, showing his ability to frequently drain jumpers from 3-point range. Makinano then earned OIA West All-Star first-team honors as a junior.

This past season, he expanded his game and attacked the basket more, penetrating the lane for layups or dishing the ball for assists. He also used his quickness and leaping ability to help on the boards.

The results were sometimes explosive.

In one three-game stretch midway through the regular season, Makinano scored a combined 70 points against Mililani, Radford and Leilehua. He ended the season with a combined 44 points in victories over Mililani and Radford.

Makinano's all-around contributions helped the Sabers finish with a 9-3 record in the West, tied for first place with Kapolei and Mililani. They earned the division's No. 1 seed via a tiebreaker and advanced to the state tournament for the third straight season.

Makinano is joined on the West's All-Star first team by Leilehua senior Art Laurel, Mililani sophomore Nehoa Akina, Kapolei senior D'Shaun Dubois and Pearl City senior Kawika Borden.

Laurel, a 6-1 post, again was an inside force for the Mules. He and Makinano are the only repeat first-team selections.

Kapolei's Gary Ellison was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Hurricanes to their highest regular season finish in seven years as a varsity program.

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

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.

• • •