Injuries hamper No. 5 Roosevelt

Lots of teams are serious contenders in the Big Island race

The rain fell hard in Makiki on Friday night, breaking stagnant air with the relief of cooler temperatures.

Inside Roosevelt's gym, there was no relief for a program that is taking one ding after another. Tiana Sugui went down with a left ankle sprain late in a 44-39 win over Kahuku. In addition, senior swingman Tati Beasley aggravated an ankle injury, but managed to finish the contest.

The Rough Riders, ranked fifth in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, have already withstood injuries to center Shannon Miyashiro and swingman Iwalani Rodrigues. At 12-4, including 4-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East, Roosevelt has perhaps the best combination of talent and skill in the league.

That won't mean much, however, if the injuries mount. Coming off a boys season in which two key players were sidelined with injuries, Bobby Keanini just shakes his head at the ongoing problem. The boys team had the potential to challenge for the league crown, but Kerstan Ho and Keo Keola went down early with ankle injuries.

Ho's injury was freakish. He went to the opening tip, not normally his job, and came down on an opponent's foot. Just seconds into the game, he was done and did not return for weeks.

Keanini, Roosevelt's JV boys coach, is hoping for better fortune with his girls. There are certain breaks that even he doesn't want.

'Cats back on track: The Konawaena Wildcats have won so frequently, and oftentimes easily, in the past few years, the slightest blip catches the attention of coaches and fans alike.

Ten days ago, Konawaena fell to Honokaa 44-28 during the semifinals of the Waiakea Invitational. All-State candidate Jazzmin Awa-Williams finished with just four points and onlookers began to wonder.

Over the weekend, Konawaena cruised past Kamehameha-Hawaii 57-43 behind 27 points by Awa-Williams. She made all 11 of her free-throw tries and, more importantly, avoided foul problems.

Lost in the shuffle is the fact that Konawaena and Honokaa actually split their two nonconference games. With the ascent of Hilo and Waiakea, the battle for the Big Island's Division I state berths -- two in all -- will be rough, tough and entertaining.

Between Awa-Williams, Honokaa junior Keisha Kanekoa and Hilo's Vicky Tagalicod, there are also some bonafide college prospects to enjoy watching. Kanekoa is too young to accept any offers, but the talented guard is likely on the radar of several colleges.