HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Kamehameha turns into
S-B's third No. 1
The Warriors jump from third place to take over the top spot in the Top 10 poll
For the third time in less than a month, a new team is atop the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Top 10.
The blue-collar effort of Kamehameha has resulted in a 15-2 start, including a 6-0 mark in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. The Warriors rose to the top from No. 3 after posting home-court wins over Iolani and Punahou.
A team effort -- from coach Jesse Nakanishi to his staff to the mass platooning on the court and strong turnouts by Warrior fans -- has been consistent.
Even off the court, the student body has been diligent in supporting the Warriors en masse. Of course, ice-cream giveaways to students at home games haven't hurt. Victories have rarely been sweeter at Kekuhaupio Gym.
There's more to Kamehameha's surprising ascent in the ILH than desserts. The Warriors have outstanding interior passing and immense patience.
"This year, the offense is built for passing," said forward Mitchell Kauweloa, who prefers dishing out assists to scoring baskets. "Passing is more fun anyway. I feel better."
Quality possessions plus quality free-throw shooting have made a difference. In wins over Saint Louis and Punahou, the Warriors shot 76 percent from the foul line.
Then, there's Nakanishi. The Warriors employ myriad defenses against most foes. Four of their ILH comrades are top-10 teams, among the best in terms of basketball IQ. And yet, they have struggled to rack up points against Kamehameha's defenses.
"He's one of the best coaches in the state, no question," Punahou coach Greg Tacon said after his team's loss at Kamehameha on Friday. "He game-plans so well."
When other teams rotate reserves into the game, Kamehameha does likewise. The problem for opponents is that Kamehameha sometimes picks up defensive efficiency when Warrior subs enter the game. Punahou and Iolani have platooned liberally, usually with success.
Against Kamehameha, Punahou found the paint area inhospitable. The Buffanblu were outrebounded 29-21. Iolani was outboarded 26-16.
After the celebration, though, the Warriors focus on work in a blue-collar way.
"We practiced strong to prepare for every team," said Rykin Enos, who scored the game-winning bucket against Iolani on Saturday.
"We'll go back and get ready for the second round."
SCORING LEADERS
ILH
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Tsukazaki, Mryk |
6 |
95 |
15.8 |
22
|
Ostrowski, Pun |
6 |
88 |
14.7 |
20
|
Masoli, StL |
6 |
87 |
14.5 |
27
|
Holyfield, MPI |
6 |
84 |
14.0 |
21
|
Nip, Iol |
6 |
74 |
12.3 |
23
|
Shoji, Iol |
6 |
73 |
12.2 |
15
|
Smith, StL |
6 |
70 |
11.7 |
20
|
Bayne, StL |
6 |
68 |
11.3 |
18
|
McLachlin, Pun |
6 |
65 |
10.8 |
14
|
Shidaki, StL |
6 |
61 |
10.2 |
19
|
Enos, Kam |
6 |
60 |
10.0 |
13
|
Ho, Kam |
6 |
57 |
9.5 |
17
|
Nobriga, Iol |
6 |
56 |
9.3 |
21
|
Ellsworth, MPI |
6 |
51 |
8.5 |
22 |
3-point leaders--10: Nip, Iol; Ostrowski, Pun; Bayne, StL. 9: Liu, Mryk. 7: Tsukazaki, Mryk; Cummings, Kam; Cho, Pun. 6: Cerezo, Dam; Miyahira, Iol. 5: Won, MPI; Gordon, MPI; Ho, Kam; Shidaki, StL; Dung, Iol; Masoli, StL.
OIA East
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Ale, Kah |
7 |
161 |
23.0 |
32
|
Keen, Thomp |
7 |
113 |
16.1 |
18
|
Lei, Moan |
6 |
79 |
13.2 |
26
|
West, Moan |
6 |
78 |
13.0 |
25
|
Lessary, McK |
6 |
78 |
13.0 |
20
|
Wingert, Kais |
7 |
89 |
12.7 |
24
|
Akamine, Kail |
8 |
100 |
12.5 |
20
|
Austin, Moan |
6 |
69 |
11.5 |
14
|
Judd, Kalh |
5 |
56 |
11.2 |
14
|
Vo, McK |
6 |
66 |
11.0 |
14
|
Keiter-Charles, Cas |
5 |
55 |
11.0 |
16
|
Reyes, Kaim |
6 |
64 |
10.7 |
17
|
Keola, Roos |
7 |
71 |
10.1 |
17
|
Letoto, Kaln |
7 |
71 |
10.1 |
22 |
3-point leaders--16: Letoto, Kaln. 15: Ale, Kah. 11: Filifili, Far. 10: Oden, Kail; Kalauokaaea, Cas. 9: Judd, Kalh. 8: Lei, Moan. 7: Pyo, Kaim. 6: Uehara, Kais; Khautakoun, Kaln; Aila, Kais; Hollinger, Kalh; Shiu, Kaim; Serdenia, Far; Keen, Thomp; West, Moan.
OIA West
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Hayes, Cam |
5 |
83 |
16.6 |
21
|
Satterwhite, Rad |
6 |
95 |
15.8 |
20
|
Orteza, Lei |
6 |
93 |
15.5 |
21
|
Sealy, Cam |
5 |
74 |
14.8 |
18
|
Moses, Mil |
6 |
87 |
14.5 |
25
|
Laurel, Lei |
6 |
74 |
12.3 |
17
|
Moody, Kapo |
5 |
61 |
12.2 |
18
|
Faliuga, Wain |
5 |
60 |
12.0 |
18
|
Pedro, Waip |
5 |
59 |
11.8 |
16
|
Cruz, PC |
5 |
57 |
11.4 |
13
|
Goodman, Rad |
5 |
57 |
11.4 |
14
|
Salvacion, PC |
4 |
45 |
11.3 |
21
|
Padayao, Kapo |
3 |
34 |
11.3 |
16
|
Olmos, Mil |
6 |
67 |
11.2 |
13
|
Nacapuy, Wail |
6 |
66 |
11.0 |
20
|
Kuia, Aiea |
5 |
52 |
10.4 |
20
|
Kahalekai, Nan |
6 |
62 |
10.3 |
17 |
3-point leaders--13: Cruz, PC. 10: Olmos, Mil. 9: Satterwhite, Rad; Nelson, Aiea. 8: Orteza, Lei. 6: Green, Wain; Rivera, Waip; Sooto, Rad. 5: Hayes, Cam; Kahala, Wain; Pedro, Waip.