"Team Aloha," the Hawai'i high school girls basketball travel squad representing players from four islands, bounced back from an opening-round loss to win the consolation bracket title at the Arizona Elite tournament April 18 through 20 in Phoenix.

The event featured 192 teams in different age divisions from throughout the United States and Canada, with heavy representation from Arizona and the surrounding Western states. According to tournament organizers, coaches and scouts representing 200 colleges attended the games. Team spokesman Gregg Hirata said in a press release that coaches from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Northridge, Weber State, Idaho and others approached Team Aloha coaches during the tournament to express interest in the Hawai'i players.

The college coaches told Team Aloha coach Dana Takahara-Dias and assistant coach Mayor Mufi Hannemann they were keeping their eyes on Janelle Nomura (Punahou), Kamie Imai (Waiakea), Kanisha Bello (Kamehameha-Hawai'i), Violet Alama (Kalani), Pua Furtado (Kamehameha) and others.

NCAA rules prohibited the college coaches from speaking directly to the players or their parents during the tournament.

"Our girls were outstanding ambassadors of Hawai'i ... and I'm so proud of the way they played," Takahara-Dias said. "Considering that we only had three practice sessions, and played against club teams that play together week-in and week-out, I think Team Aloha did a fantastic job in showing the caliber of basketball talent we have."

Team Aloha lost its opening-round game to the Irvine (Calif.) Sol, 35-25. Irvine Sol went on to advance to the championship game.

Team Aloha rebounded the next day with victories over the Phoenix Phenoms, 52-20, and Lady Swift (Calif.), 50-36, before winning the consolation title game against Big Sky Hoops (Montana), 54-36, on April 20.

Nomura led Team Aloha scorers with 11 points in the finale, and Imai and Johnelle Kapua (Mid-Pacific) each added 10 points.

SATO STEPS DOWN AFTER FIVE SEASONS AT MILILANI

Dean Sato has resigned as baseball coach at Mililani after five seasons.

Sato, the 2005 O'ahu Interscholastic Association West Division Co-Coach of the Year, said he will concentrate on a new business opportunity and continue to work with the Champion Edge Foundation youth sports program.

Mililani athletic director Glenn Nitta said he likely will post the baseball head coach opening after next week's state tournament.

KAILUA SEEKS FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACHES

Kailua High School is looking for individuals who are interested in joining the Surfriders football program as assistant coaches or apprentice coaches.

Openings are available for all positions at both the varsity and JV levels.

Applicants may e-mail resumes to Coach@SurfriderFootball.com or fax it to 356-8180.

FOOTBALL SCHOLARS EARN $1,000 AWARDS

Twelve Hawai'i high school seniors were honored as outstanding football scholar-athletes Sunday and were awarded $1,000 scholarships by community members.

The honorees were Kama Bailey (Damien), Lake Casco (Lahainaluna), Paipai Falemalu (Kahuku), Gabe Fernandez (Punahou), Jordan Gomes (Kamehameha), Ronnie Hirokawa ('Iolani), Mykenna Ikehara (Kamehameha), Josh Mun (Mid-Pacific), Isaac Savella (Saint Louis), Robert Siavi'i (Leilehua), Shiloah Te'o (Kahuku) and Tui Tuiasosopo (Saint Louis).

In addition, Lahainaluna coaches Lanny Tihada, Bobby Watson and Michael Arakawa and Farrington trainer and equipment manager George Kamau were recognized for their lifelong service.

BYUH TO HOST YOUTH HOOPS CAMP IN JUNE

Brigham Young-Hawai'i women's basketball coach Wendy Anae and Kalakaua Foundation Clinic coach Dennis Agena will host a four-day youth camp at the BYUH campus, June 23 through June 26.

The camp, open to boys and girls ages 9 through 17, will include two sessions on June 23, three sessions each June 24 and 25 and one session June 26. The cost is $215 for dorm campers and $155 for day campers.

Registration, which can be accessed at the Web site http://cito.byuh.edu/sports2008, is limited to the first 100 applicants. The deadline is June 9.

For more information, call Wendy Anae at 675-3677.