HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Canon, chemistry keys for Kalaheo
Spring break is over for most students, so a little word association is in order.
From Nos. 1 to 10, each of the teams in today's Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball Top 10 is traveling on a unique path. For fifth-ranked Kalaheo, which has seized control of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East, the word is "chemistry."
Shanadee Canon, as expected, has delivered in a big way for the Lady Mustangs. Her team is 5-0 in the East, and coach Chico Furtado has assembled role players and starters that make Kalaheo an effective machine.
Normally, Kalaheo teams show their improvement late in the season. This bunch, however, has come together with several key contributors. Kendra Fischer has taken to her shooter's role with relish. Maybe a wee bit too much.
With 2 minutes left, Kalaheo had a small lead at Farrington when Fischer attacked the basket and lost control of the ball. Fischer, starting for the first time as a senior, met with Furtado almost immediately for a good, teachable moment between coach and student.
"We still make mental mistakes, like with Kendra turning the ball over, not knowing what the situation is," Furtado said.
The combustible veteran coach cajoles, makes demands and weans his squad carefully.
For top-ranked Iolani, the word is "destiny." The Lady Raiders have been groomed for the past few years as the most talented and most likely to win the state title in 2006. But Friday's showdown with No. 3 Kamehameha was washed away by the rain, and the anticipation continues to grow. Iolani and Kamehameha will be the last teams in the state to finally play their regular-season openers.
For Punahou, the word is "respect," or the lack thereof. After all, the defending state champion is ranked second behind a team that hasn't won the crown in a decade. The Buffanblu won all 11 of their nonconference games, even with center Shawna-Lei Kuehu sidelined briefly.
Kamehameha's word is "opportunity." Iolani and Punahou have drawn plenty of attention, and Kamehameha has been under the radar a bit after missing last year's state tourney.
Honokaa, even on the Big Island, is in a fairly remote area. The word for the Dragons is "silent," as in silent assassins. Keisha Kanekoa is just a junior, but may be the best combo guard in the state for fourth-ranked Honokaa.
Konawaena's word is "unproven," even though the Wildcats reached the state final last season. With so many key players now graduated, voters aren't quite convinced that Konawaena has enough ammunition to make another run. The key is Jazzmin Awa-Williams, who is now the senior leader of a young team. Her ability to stay out of foul trouble is the barometer of what the 'Cats do this season.
Roosevelt, which suffered its first league loss last week, is about one word: "injuries." If the Rough Riders stay healthy -- four starters have been sidelined at different times already -- they will challenge for the OIA title.
For Kahuku, four away games in the first two weeks have taken a toll. That's why the word for the Lady Raiders is "home," as in home sweet home.
For Hilo, now ninth in the Top 10, the word is "Vicky," as in Vicky Tagalicod. As good as the freshman is, however, the Viks will need a balanced attack to get past Honokaa, Konawaena and improving Waiakea to grab one of the BIIF's two Division I state berths.
Finally, the word for Punahou II is "surplus."
It's the first time one school has two teams in the Star-Bulletin's Top 10.
The D-II Buffanblu, who have nonconference wins over Kalaheo and Moanalua, cracked the poll for the first time at No. 10.
OIA Red East
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Canon, Kalh |
5 |
110 |
22.0 |
27
|
Wily, Kah |
5 |
94 |
18.8 |
29
|
Sato, McK |
5 |
80 |
16.0 |
21
|
Fischer, Kalh |
5 |
77 |
15.4 |
27
|
Pratt, Kais |
5 |
76 |
15.2 |
20
|
Rodrigues, Roos |
6 |
79 |
13.2 |
18
|
Beasley, Roos |
6 |
71 |
11.8 |
21
|
J. Ronolo, Moan |
5 |
58 |
11.6 |
18
|
Atatasi, Farr |
4 |
41 |
10.3 |
15
|
B. Ronolo, Moan |
5 |
50 |
10.0 |
18
|
Ah-Hoy, Kah |
5 |
44 |
8.8 |
13
|
Bitanga, Kais |
5 |
44 |
8.8 |
15 |
3-point leaders--9: Fischer, Kalh; Ikehara, McK. 8: Kealoha, Farr; Okuma, Kais. 7: J. Ronolo, Moan; Wily, Kah. 5: Ching, McK; Rodrigues, Roos; Sato, McK. 4: Bryce, Farr.
OIA Red West
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Livae, Camp |
5 |
66 |
13.2 |
20
|
Korodan, Mili |
5 |
59 |
11.8 |
19
|
Dela Cruz, Kapo |
5 |
53 |
10.6 |
18
|
Malepeai, Rad |
5 |
51 |
10.2 |
15
|
Montez, Nana |
5 |
49 |
9.8 |
14
|
Smith, Rad |
5 |
47 |
9.4 |
14
|
McVea, Lei |
5 |
47 |
9.4 |
13
|
Alatini, P.C. |
5 |
43 |
8.6 |
18
|
Atualevao, Lei |
5 |
40 |
8.0 |
10
|
Fuller, Rad |
5 |
40 |
8.0 |
11 |
3-point leaders--8: Alatini, PC. 7: Dela Cruz, Kapo; Smith, Rad. 5: Contemplo, Camp; Kaimi, Nana. 4: Ilab, Lei; Montez, Nana; Tadeo, PC.
OIA White
SCORING |
G |
Pts |
Avg |
High
|
Ramirez, Wail |
5 |
76 |
15.2 |
23
|
Helsham, Aiea |
4 |
58 |
14.5 |
20
|
Phommachanh, Kaim |
4 |
56 |
14.0 |
16
|
Lovell, Wain |
5 |
69 |
13.8 |
16
|
Corrales, Kail |
4 |
49 |
12.3 |
15
|
Noga, Waip |
3 |
31 |
10.3 |
15
|
Moi, Kaim |
4 |
40 |
10.0 |
13
|
Hollona, Aiea |
4 |
39 |
9.8 |
12
|
Meyerowitz, Wail |
4 |
37 |
9.3 |
18
|
Camara, Kaln |
4 |
37 |
9.3 |
14 |
3-point leaders--14: Ramirez, Wail. 8: Nakahashi, Kaim. 7: Corrales, Kail; Helsham, Aiea. 5: Kamehiro, Kaln; Kawainui, Cast; Martin, Kaln. 4: Ames, Cast; Lovell, Wain; Maxwell, Wain.