2004 STAR-BULLETIN ALL-STATE
GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
The Difference
Nancy Hoist put Konawaena
on her shoulders
It was the night the Wildcats danced.
Nancy Hoist and the rest of the state champion Konawaena girls basketball team joined arm in arm in a circle and turned the Stan Sheriff Center court into their own private dance floor for the benefit of well-wishing fans.
It's one of those indelible images for followers of the sport around the state: neighbor-island girls making good in the big city and letting loose with maneuvers and a harmonious chant.
1 GUARD Shanna-Lei Dacanay Punahou 5-2 Junior 2 GUARD Kami Kapaku Baldwin 5-6 Senior 3 FORWARD Jessica Hanato Konawaena 5-6 Junior 4 FORWARD/CENTER Latoya Wily Kahuku 6-0 Senior 5 FORWARD/CENTER Nancy Hoist Konawaena 5-10 Senior But dancing was really nothing new for the Wildcats. They pranced through the Big Island Interscholastic Federation season and then took the state by waltzing past three tough opponents -- Kamehameha, Baldwin and Kahuku -- for the championship.
In the end, Hoist made the difference. The 5-foot-10 center scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to hold off the Red Raiders. She also came through with late clutch ball-handling and by hitting six of seven free throws to wrap it up.
"I was very fortunate to be able to coach her for four years," Wildcats coach Bobbie Awa said about Hoist, who will play for Eastern Kentucky next season. "She played within the system and she matured a lot. When she was younger, she would sulk or show aggression if things weren't going her way. She really learned how to handle her emotions through the years."
Hoist is the Star-Bulletin's All-State Player of the Year and Awa is Coach of the Year.
Awa and her faithful assistants figured out early in the year (in preseason losses to Kahuku and Punahou) that they could never win the title without a sound ball-control game.
"I've always been a coach who likes teams to run, run, run," she said. "After those losses, we made it a point to work on the half-court offense and on taking care of the ball."
A few more turnovers would have spelled doom in the final against Kahuku. Instead, Hoist dribbled up high (and didn't turn it over) late in the game, forcing Latoya Wily to come out to defend her and eventually foul her.
Awa was most impressed with Hoist's ability to take on the "go-to" chores in her senior year.
"We put a lot of pressure on Nancy by giving her so much responsibility," Awa said. "But she had the confidence and wasn't afraid. When we needed a score or for someone to set up a big play, we knew we could go to her to get it done. Just her presence on the court was big for us."
Hoist was also a Star-Bulletin first-team pick in her sophomore year and made the second team as a junior. In addition, she is the Big Island's Player of the Year for the third straight time.
"She's a very smart player and she grasps whatever you tell her," Awa said. "At Eastern Kentucky, she's going to go in at the bottom, but she'll work her way up."
Awa added that Hoist is on the quiet side most of the time.
"But she became a vocal leader this year because that was her job," the coach said. "I'm a disciplinarian and she didn't open up around me as much as she did around the rest of the team. But I hear she's a crackup when I'm not around."
Hoist drew compliments from two-time state runner-up coach Wendy Anae of the Red Raiders.
"She held her composure at the end and that's when her team looked to her," Anae said. "That says a lot about her and her competitive nature. I like her game, she can go inside or outside."
Hoist and her teammates were part of a Kamehameha Day Parade in Kailua-Kona two weeks ago. It was just one of many public appearances where the Wildcats were able to see just how proud they made the community's residents.
That same weekend, Hoist flew to Honolulu to be honored as one of 12 top senior athletes at the Nissan Hall of Honor banquet. The next day, she was recognized by the Honolulu Quarterback Club.
On her flight to Honolulu, airline employees recognized Hoist's name and bumped her up to first class.
"It's so awesome, people coming up to you and telling you how much they were pulling for us," Hoist said. "I never realized how many people on the Big Island actually watched the game on TV until we got back home. So many have told us how much they supported us."
With a trip east coming up, Hoist's busy schedule isn't going to quiet down very much.
"I'm already starting to get ready, working out and shooting every day, but I'm also enjoying my summer," Hoist said.
She's going far away from Hawaii, but it's doubtful that the tremendous moment -- when the Wildcats captured the state title and then showed off their fancy footwork just for fun -- will stray from her thoughts anytime soon.
"I'll always remember after the game, hugging my dad," said Hoist, who is the daughter of Paul and Barbara Hoist. "He told me how proud he was of me. He has always been there, through the losses and wins. It was like I was winning it for him."
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All-State Girls Basketball Team
First Team Pos. Player Ht. Year School G Shanna-Lei Dacanay 5-2 Junior Punahou G Kami Kapaku 5-6 Senior Baldwin F Jessica Hanato 5-6 Junior Konawaena F/C Nancy Hoist 5-10 Senior Konawaena F/C Latoya Wily 6-0 Senior Kahuku Second Team Pos. Player Ht. Year School G Christine Takara 5-7 Junior Punahou G Karla Tailele 5-5 Senior Kahuku F Sharde Pratt 5-8 Sophomore Kaiser F Sunshine Misa-Uli 5-10 Senior Farrington F Jazzmin Williams 5-7 Freshman Konawaena Third Team Pos. Player Ht. Year School G Hennasea-Sue Tokumura 5-3 Sophomore Iolani G Bre Carson 5-4 Senior McKinley G Shanadee Canon 5-8 Freshman Kalaheo F Monika Vehikite 5-10 Senior Lahainaluna F Ginger Gravelle 5-10 Senior Iolani Honorable mention
Campbell: Chaunte Jackson. Hilo: Lynelle Paranada. Honokaa: Keisha Kanekoa. Iolani: Alana Wall. Kahuku: Camilla Ah-Hoy, Aisha Ale, Mona Ale. Kaiser: Kilioe Aliifua, Kehau Bangay, Shera Yamamoto. Kalaheo: Shanadee Canon. Kalani: Richline Batoon, Tamari Miyashiro. Kamehameha: Tatriana Lorenzo, Mounia Nihipali, India Soo, Analee Viena-Lota. Kapolei: Jerrell Taituave. Kauai: Starlene Kelekoma. King Kekaulike: Lindsey Christensen. Kealakehe: Saundra Cariaga. Konawaena: Hina Kimitete, Kristin Kitaoka. Leilehua: Pikake Nutter-Gaudet. Maryknoll: Sela Fisilau. Maui: Taryn Fukuroku. Mililani: Ceslie Ma'afala. McKinley: Chelsie Sato, Chantal Yadao. Moanalua: Kepua Lee. Pearl City: Kamill Riego de Dios, Marci Lobendahn. Punahou: Eryn Chun. Radford: Lia Mickey, Tereva Moore. Roosevelt: Tati Beasley, Chelsie Kadota, Nicole Yoshimoto. Sacred Hearts: Megan Burton, Nicole Lehner. St. Andrew's Priory: Caasi Nakasone, Holly Saito. St. Anthony: Sierra Dunn. St. Francis: Monica Chock. Word of Life: Careena Onosai.
