Iolani adjusts
By Pat Bigold
without Uejio
Star-BulletinThe loss of two starters, particularly last season's "Mr. Basketball," point guard Kirk Uejio, is being felt by defending state champion Iolani.
The Raiders improved their preseason record to 4-3 with a 55-31 romp over a small Waimea team on the first day of the Nike Iolani Prep Basketball Classic yesterday.
Returning 6-foot-5 all-state twin forwards Brad and Cord Anderson combined for 20 points and returning guard Doug Jackson added 10.
Getting the ball to the Andersons is critical to the Raiders' defense of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title.
But there were times when Iolani's inside passing game left a lot to be desired. That's something head coach Mark Mugiishi wants to work on.
"We played a team that was small but tough, and we showed impatience," said Mugiishi. "We were trying to force the ball in when someone was just barely open."
Uejio's role as floor general is now being filled by 5-6 freshman Bronson Melemai.
Melemai is faced with the task of making the successful leap from intermediate starter to varsity starter.
"Bronson's fortunate to have supportive seniors," said Mugiishi. "Our players know that the faster Bronson comes along, the better our team will be. He was the most athletic and had the best ballhandling skills of any of the kids who tried out for the point guard position."
Iolani also graduated a key rebounder in 6-7 forward Shawn Christensen.
The other new face in the Raiders' lineup is shooting guard Travis McGaughy, a 5-11 sophomore.
"We're trying to get everyone on the team to understand the concept of being patient," said Mugiishi. "Whenever you have a lot of youth on your team, they tend to take bad shots. We have basketball players who can score, so we have to make sure that the offense gets them into position."
Another issue facing the state champs is what will become of the Andersons if Iolani qualifies for the state tournament.
Hawaii High School Athletic Association rules prohibit the participation of any player who did not use his or her eligibility in four consecutive years.
The Andersons stayed back a year after they transferred to Iolani from Hawaii Preparatory Academy as sophomores. They did not play sports that year.
The HHSAA turned down an appeal for a waiver of the four-year rule and the Andersons filed a lawsuit. The HHSAA seeks to have the suit dismissed while the Andersons' attorney, James Kawashima, wants to go to court as soon as possible.
Asked if that is a distraction this season, the twins said no.
"We care about it but we don't concentrate on it very much because we have enough to worry about with school work and basketball," said Cord Anderson.
In other games, Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kalaheo rolled over the Okinawa select team, 87-49. Julian Sensley, a 6-8 all-state center, scored 23 points while Ryan Hogue had 22.
Chris Walton, the 6-8 son of former NBA star Bill Walton, and 6-4 forward Mike Malloy, each scored 12 points to lead University San Diego High School to a 40-38 victory over Waipahu. Creserlie Pasion and Jerome Williams combined for 27 points for the Marauders.
Fairfax, from Los Angeles, belted Roosevelt, 74-43, as top L.A. prospect Joe Shipp scored 27 points.
NOTES: A first-time tournament entry is the Scavolini Junior Team of Pesaro, Italy. They are the 1998 Italian National Champion of Cadets. The title would be equivalent to a national prep champion. The Italians, who play Timpview of Provo, Utah, at 3:30 p.m. today, are big. Only one of their 12 players is listed under 6 feet. Four are 6-7 or taller ... The two teams nationally ranked in USA Today play today. No. 7 Lower Richland meets Kaimuki at 6:30 p.m. and No. 14 Rice faces Punahou at 8 p.m.