ILH BASKETBALL
Punahou, Saint Louis, Kamehameha expected to push Iolani
There is no sleeper in the galactic basketball federation known as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
In fact, only Rip Van Winkle would wake up today thinking that five-time defending state champion Iolani has another crown easily within reach. At least one coach refuses to think of his team as a sleeper.
"I don't know if we're the sleepers of the ILH," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said. "We might be the least experienced in the least amount of practice time."
Saint Louis (9-2) has been on a monstrous run thanks in large part to 6-foot-7 Scott Smith. The All-State football player was the MVP as Saint Louis swept Listowel (Canada), North Torrance (Calif.) and Arlington (Calif.) in the Crusaders Bracket of the Walter Wong Classic.
For Tengan, December meant a shortage of practices due to the football team's extra-long season. Thanks to his experienced returnees and a formidable schedule, the Crusaders flourished.
"In spite of us not having practice time, we were in a lot of close games and those type of situations can't be simulated in practice. We've gained some game experience in crunch time," the two-sport coach said.
That sets the table for tomorrow night, when the ILH schedule begins. Saint Louis will visit Punahou in the biggest showdown.
"You'd like to kind of work into your schedule, but that's the way it is," Tengan said. "Hopefully, we'll be ready on Thursday. I don't think you'll ever be ready. I saw Punahou this past Saturday. They've got all the pieces to the puzzle."
Punahou (11-2), which barely missed the state tournament last season, is the No. 1 team in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, one notch ahead of rival Iolani. Wins over Timpview (ranked No. 3 in Utah), Baldwin and Kalaheo last week solidified just about every pollster's opinion about the Buffanblu.
"On paper, Punahou is tough because of the two All-State guys coming back, plus the size they have with (Keoni) Steinhoff and the other guys."
Kamehameha (5-7) has endured a tough schedule, but still raises concern from every foe in the league.
"Kamehameha is always dangerous. They've struggled a little, but if their outside game is on, they can really stifle you with that zone," Tengan said.
Even Mid-Pacific (9-4), a team of youth and talent, and Maryknoll (11-5) have found success in December.
Iolani (10-5) hasn't been forgotten by any means. The Raiders are stocked with talented senior guards, and sophomore Liloa Nobriga has been more of a point forward this season. The Raiders lost heartbreaking, close games to El Toro (Calif.) and Timpview last week, partly due to inexperience. Tengan views Iolani as the favorite.
"You never count out the five-time defending state champion. They've been there, done that, had the experience of playing championship-caliber ball," he said.
This is true. There's no substitute for winning state championships.
"We'll find out when we play in our league. Right now, you can have success in the preseason, when you play teams that are familiar with what you do, it's a lot different," Tengan said.
In Division II, University has emerged as a clear favorite to capture the title and a state-tournament berth. The Junior Rainbows, coached by Walt Quitan, are 9-1 going into the season opener against Lanakila Baptist tomorrow night.
Here's a look at the D-I teams.
Damien Monarchs
Coach: Mike Coito
On paper: The Monarchs are adjusting to former Mililani coach Coito after the school released Abe Kamana'o. The Monarchs have played tough against D-II teams like Thompson and Kaiser, and Aminis Thompson has been a consistent leading scorer.
The skinny: The Monarchs have enjoyed the scoring prowess of recent top scorers like Matt Gochenouer and Ranson DeCosta. This year, Nikko Romuar and Anthony Tuitele are among the Monarchs who will share the load.
X factor: Coito's teams in the past have been able to run, but in the tough, tall ILH, they may be better suited to a deliberate pace.
Iolani Raiders
Coach: Mark Mugiishi
On paper: Five-time defending state champion. 'Nuff said.
The skinny: Last year, the seniors stepped up, especially Kawika Shoji. The year before, Kyle Pape emerged as a go-to scorer. This year, the Raiders are using a new offense and Nobriga is using his skills at the point, though he's one of Iolani's taller players at 6-3.
X factor: Taylor Mounts (6-5) will return sometime during the ILH season from a broken (non-shooting) hand injury. That will free up Iolani's trapping defenders much more, and the Raiders have been the best defensive team in the state for a long time.
Kamehameha Warriors
Coach: Jesse Nakanishi
On paper: The Warriors (5-7) are ranked No. 8 in the state. Rykin Enos, who was voted fourth in last year's Star-Bulletin All-State Fab 15, is as clutch as they come. His ability to drive to the rack is complemented by a smooth 3-point stroke. Randy Cummings (6-0) also provides 3-point shooting for a team that goes 10 deep, but lacks a dominant post player.
The skinny: The Warriors are once again going to be outsized under the basket, but Nakanishi is a master of working toward the strengths of his personnel. Andrew Godinet is among the top defensive stoppers in the league.
X factor: The development of sophomores like Cummings, Conrad Scheidt (6-1) and Auwae DeRego (6-1) will help immensely.
Maryknoll Spartans
Coach: Blaine Gier
On paper: One season removed from the graduation of All-State guard Tyler Tsukazaki, the Spartans have needed time to find a new chemistry. Senior swingman Jordan Ho-Ching (6-0) is a strong force inside, possibly their best. Travis Liu is getting the hang of life without his old backcourt partner, Tsukazaki. Liu is now their key 3-point bomber.
The skinny: Garrick Chock and Jordan Napoleon have emerged as steady double-digit scorers.
X factor: If Ho-Ching stays healthy, the Spartans will have speed to combat the league's taller teams.
Mid-Pacific Owls
Coach: Kevin O'Connell
On paper: Marcus Holyfield has quickly emerged as a premier player as a sophomore. The Owls have won plenty of nonconference games, but the potential of this team has O'Connell excited. Kellar Ellsworth, Samson Won and Devon Takenaka have increased their production, as well.
The skinny: Good defense has been a strength, but fourth-quarter meltdowns have hurt. "I think taking care of the basketball and playing a smarter game, if we can do that, we can be very competitive," O'Connell said.
X factor: Bryson Beirne has returned to the team and gives the Owls some size with his 6-2, 230-pound frame.
Punahou Buffanblu
Coach: Dan Hale
On paper: Returning All-State players McLachlin (6-7) and Miah Ostrowski get the headlines. McLachlin has been superb as a scorer and rebounder against local and mainland competition. Ostrowski, the best 1-on-1 scoring guard in the league, draws plenty of attention from defenders.
The skinny: Ostrowski's passing skills are underrated, but he'll be forced to give up the ball as he sees more and more double-teams. Steinhoff (6-4), Kimo Makaula (6-2) and sharpshooting Kyle Whitford give Punahou some capable scorers. This team has role-playing down to a science.
X factor: In his first season at the helm, Coach Hale has pushed this squad into an up-tempo pace without compromising its defensive work ethic. Having a deep squad -- last year's team missed Brenton Lee severely (injury) -- that stays healthy makes the Buffanblu a tough team to beat.
Saint Louis Crusaders
Coach: Delbert Tengan
On paper: Smith is capable of scoring 25 points every night, and his defense is stellar, as well. Cole Shidaki, now a sophomore, is also a potential 20-point scorer, and Saint Louis' posse of experienced guards (Ricksson Pacarro, Kuli'a Aiona) helps Tengan breathe easier. The wins over good mainland teams -- Arlington was ranked 13th in California -- is a confidence builder.
The skinny: If Smith gets into foul trouble, the Crusaders will lack inside scoring. Solomona Aigamaua is a great athlete who will rebound and play defense. Siunepa Fiefia, a 6-8, 260-pound sophomore, will likely see more action in the second half of the ILH schedule. He missed a chunk of preseason while he was home in California for the holidays.
X factor: If the Crusaders have a chink in the armor, it would be a matter of how quickly they adjust to officiating. They thrive on tough man-to-man defense, but their effectiveness depends a good deal on how tightly a crew calls a game on the perimeter. Fortunately, the Crusaders have depth. They go 10 deep.