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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Nani Cockett looked to pass the ball against Becky Hogue during the Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree yesterday.




Hogue hangs with heroes


By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

The past, present and future of Hawaii girls basketball converged at Iolani Gym yesterday for the ninth annual Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree.

And stuck somewhere in the middle was Becky Hogue.

Hogue first participated in the jamboree seven years ago as a fifth-grader on an all-star team in the 12-and-under division. Yesterday, the current Punahou standout posted up against her childhood idol while providing inspiration for some of the preteens in the gym.

"Coming out here when I was a little kid and looking up to all the older girls and now being one of that's looked up to is really meaningful," Hogue said.

Hogue's team finished third among the four squads comprised of former college and current high school players in the tournament. But she relished the opportunity to share the paint with the player she admired as a youngster.

"Nani Cockett was one of my all-time favorite players and to be able to play against and with her on the court is just so much fun," she said.

Cockett, the former Kamehameha and University of Hawaii star, helped the Red team win the jamboree, a benefit for the Gender Equity Sports Club.

"A lot more people are interested in girls basketball now," Cockett said. "(Hannemann) gives these girls extra exposure, it's like an extra day to the season. Parents bring their kids out and hopefully they'll have dreams of being here playing when they grow up."

Konawaena sophomore Nancy Hoist led the Red with 10 points in a 36-33 win over the White in the title game. Radford senior Heather Massey added eight points.

Kalei Namohala, who completed her UH career in 1992, paced the White with 10 points, while Kalani senior Ashley Takata dished out four assists.

The White had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Kyla Evers' 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.

"It's fun, it's not as intense (as the high school season), but they don't like to lose," said Honokaa coach Daphne Honma, who guided the Red team.

Still, the final scores were secondary to the opportunity to highlight the growth of girls basketball in the state.

"When I was playing the girls couldn't do half the moves these young girls are doing," said Cockett, now an assistant coach with state champion Kamehameha. "It's a tribute to what they do in the offseason and whatever camps and clinics they attend."

Shanna Dacanay, who scored 12 points for Punahou in the state championship game a week earlier, led her Kalakaua team to the jamboree's 14-and-under title. The 808 Basketball Club claimed the 12-and-under crown with a win over Kalanianaole Athletic Club.

808 coach Hinano Higa helps run a dribbling clinic held Sunday mornings at Roosevelt High School, and said the moves displayed by the older players yesterday will filter down to her players as they develop their skills.

"We push them to try new stuff," Higa said. "We don't want them to just cross over, use a different move, try something else. Even if they make a mistake or turn it over it's fine, as long as they try it and get used to it."

Moanalua athletic director Dana Dias received the jamboree's Gender Equity Award for her work in promoting women's athletics. She played in the event as an alumni player in its early years and now helps organize the tournament.

"We cannot say 'I wish we had this (when she was in high school),' but I'm thankful we have it now," Dias said. "For these youngsters to participate and what Mufi does for the females is really great. For me to be a part of it is an honor."

Baseball stars shine tomorrow: The high school baseball season ends tomorrow with the Kado Gloves Sugar Mill Classic at Hans L'Orange Field.

The fourth annual all-star game features the top seniors from around the state.

Batting practice starts at 10 a.m. with the game to follow at 1 p.m. The team rosters are on page B8.

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