Wednesday, March 11, 1998

1998 Mr. Basketball

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
This was a common sight at Iolani basketball games this season: Kirk Uejio rambling down the court, eyes wide open, looking for an open man or an open lane to the basket. And if there wasn't an opening, he usually made one.

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Iolani guard Kirk Uejio was the manwho pushed the Raiders over the top

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

When Iolani point guard Kirk Uejio brings the ball upcourt, he has the look of a Navy SEALS platoon leader hitting the beach.

One hand deliberately dribbling the ball, the other waving players into position, Uejio advanced his troops with authority.

With his closely shaved head and "let's-get-it-on" frown, Francis Ford Coppola might have seen fit to stick a stogie in the corner of his mouth for added effect.

Furiously working a wad of bubble gum, he sought his openings with steely glances at the defense.

He had the look of a leader, and he was - of the state's best prep basketball team.

That's why he's the Star-Bulletin's 1998 Mr. Basketball.

He is one of three Iolani players on the all-state first team.

The 5-foot-7 Uejio approached the press defense with defiance, and he'd destroy it with a single startling move to the hoop.

Don't look for his value merely in statistics. His per-game averages of 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, three steals, and 2.2 assists wouldn't win him an all-state berth.

He didn't dunk, or block.

But he knew where his four teammates were at all times, and he found them under the most adverse circumstances.

He was no hot rod. He was the ramrod of a 10-legged basketball team that went all the way to the state title.

When you're a team without a bench, you'd better learn to play with 32-minute intensity.

Uejio made sure there were no lapses.

When the situation required him to hurl his body into the bleachers in pursuit of a loose ball, he did it. If it required a pickpocket steal, he got it done.

If it meant hitting the 3-pointer when the whole season hinged on it - as it did in the last minute of regulation in the state championship against Kalaheo - he hit it.

He made 45 percent of his shots from the field and 80 percent of his free-throw attempts, indicative of his reliability in the clutch.

Uejio, who will attend prestigious Claremont Mckenna College in California, consistently has been an honor student at Iolani. His most recent grade point average was 3.6.

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The other all-state picks:

CORD ANDERSON (6-5 junior forward/guard, Iolani) -One half of the Raiders' twin tandem, he often was the finisher on alley-oop slam dunks with brother, Brad.

He was second in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in scoring (14.3 points per game) and the Raiders' top scorer over 31 games (15.5).

He averaged seven rebounds, 2.4 steals and two blocked shots a game, and shot 48 percent from the field and 68 percent from the free-throw line.

BRAD ANDERSON (6-5 junior forward/guard, Iolani) -He was second on the team to twin brother, Cord, in scoring with a 14.2 average for the season, and was third in the ILH at 13.2.

He led the Raiders in rebounding (8.4 per game), averaged 2.4 assists and two steals, and shot 50.5 percent from the floor and 66 percent from the line.

JULIAN SENSLEY (6-7 sophomore center, Kalaheo) -Only 15 and still growing, Sensley proved that he could do a variety of things well on the court. He dominated in the low post, but he also could maneuver comfortably on the perimeter. He averaged 15 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocked shots and 2.1 steals for the season while shooting 52 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line. He blocked 20 shots and had 17 assists in three state tournament games.

RAMSEY WILLIAMS (5-11 senior guard, Moanalua) - Last season's Mr. Basketball, Williams averaged 15 points, six assists, three steals, and four rebounds a game. He shot 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc and 81 percent from the line, including 24-for-28 in the postseason.

BRANDON BROOKS (6-6 junior forward, Punahou) - The Buffanblu's big man graduates from the second-team with good grades.

He led the ILH in scoring at 15 points per game, shot 50 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line. Brooks also averaged seven rebounds, two blocks, two assists and two steals per game.

Coach of the year - Mark Mugiishi (Iolani) - Mugiishi guided the Raiders to the 1998 ILH and state titles, his second and third, respectively, in nine years at Iolani. He has a 204-52 career record and has taken Iolani to the state final four on five occasions and the title game three times.

Uejio, by the numbers

Scoring: 8.4 points per game

Rebounds: 2.2 per game

Steals: 3 per game

Assists: 2.2 per game

In the clutch: He proved his worth in the clutch by making 80 percent of his free throws. He also hit a 3-pointer late in the game to force overtime in the state championship.