No play-in state D-I game

There will be no play-in game between four leagues for the final Division I state basketball tournament berth.

Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya confirmed that the Oahu Interscholastic Association will have six of the 12 berths. The ILH, Maui Interscholastic League and Big Island Interscholastic Federation will each have two berths.

Evolution

There are teams evolving with each day, and there are teams that are simply a year away.

Senior-heavy Punahou has found its identity, which is saying a lot since the Buffanblu lost All-State stars Shawna-Lei Kuehu and Shaena-Lyn Kuehu to injuries before the season.

The Buffanblu go 10, sometimes 11 deep with a relentless, in-your-face defensive pressure that covers all 94 feet of hardwood. Coach Mike Taylor never stops tinkering, adding layer upon layer of new strategy, new X's and O's. They are in third place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, but could surprise a lot of doubters by emerging as a force in the postseason.

Mid-Pacific, which got to see Punahou's development up close in a 57-37 loss on Saturday, is one of those teams that is so talented, yet so young.

As a group, the Owls are probably the best group of 15-and-under players in the state. The maturity level necessary to battle in the ILH, however, isn't easy to reach.

It won't be a surprise, though, if Mid-Pac rises to a new level next season. Post scorers Keaton McFadden and Jenna Savusa are only freshmen, as is guard Jordan Kealoha. High-scoring Johnnelle Kapua is just a sophomore.

All Hearts

The Lancers of the Academy of Sacred Hearts are relishing their time in Division II. After years of struggling with the bigger, established programs in ILH D-I, they are taking to the lower classification well.

With Saturday's last-second win over Punahou II, Sacred Hearts is now 10-0 in league play.