Punahou back at No. 1 after Iolani’s loss to Kamehameha
Before they met on Jan. 4, Iolani was ranked second and Punahou was No. 1.
Iolani got a last-second putback by center Taylor Mounts for a thrilling 43-41 win at the Raiders' gym and zoomed ahead to a top ranking. Fast-forward to today, however, Punahou is again the top-ranked team in the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Top 10.
Much has changed for every team in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu since the first week of regular-season play. While Kameron Steinhoff is still a matchup problem for any defense, the high-scoring senior is no longer carrying the load. Guard Dalton Hilliard has eased some of the scoring duties, as has reserve forward Manti Te'o. Hilliard and Te'o had a combined four points in the loss to Iolani.
The Raiders haven't changed significantly. Iolani took a big step forward in the Punahou game, closing out the win while following directions from coach Mark Mugiishi and his staff. Iolani's skill at drawing offensive fouls from Punahou was a key factor.
But after their 44-42 loss at Kamehameha last week, Mugiishi wondered why his team was a step slow in corralling loose balls. Iolani bounced back on Saturday with a win at Mid-Pacific.
"We were sluggish in the first half and outstanding in the second half," Mugiishi said.
Neither Iolani nor Punahou are likely to have sluggishness tonight when they play again.
"It should be a highly competitive and emotional game. If anything has changed at this point, it's the urgency of a win for both teams," Mugiishi said.
With two automatic state berths in the ILH hanging in the balance, this is a big week for Kamehameha and Saint Louis, as well. Though a third state berth is available through a play-in game between the league's third-place team and the Big Island's third best, the simplest route would be to finish the regular season among the top two.
Punahou (5-1) collected 21 of 27 possible first-place votes in today's top 10. Iolani garnered two first-place votes. Third-ranked Kalaheo collected five top votes heading into tonight's clash at Moanalua.
The Mustangs have scored just three points fewer than Iolani despite a 7-0 mark in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East play.
Moanalua returned to the top 10 at No. 10 after topping Kailua and Kaimuki last week. Na Menehune welcomed the return of point guard Stevie Austin. The senior suffered a hamstring strain against Kahuku, and without him, Moanalua lost the lead and the game.
With Austin back in the lineup, Na Menehune downed Kaimuki on Friday.
"He practiced today," Moanalua coach Greg Tacon said. "It's a little tender. I didn't want him to practice. He jumped into a drill and started stretching, but I shut him down for the rest of the day."
Star-Bulletin Top 10
The top 10 high school boys basketball teams, according to a poll of coaches and media.
| Team, record |
Last game |
Next game |
Pts. |
Pvs.
|
| 1. Punahou (21), 15-2 |
beat Saint Louis |
vs. Iolani |
271 |
2 |
| 2. Iolani (2), 10-7 |
beat Mid-Pacific |
at Punahou |
236 |
1 |
| 3. Kalaheo (5), 16-5 |
beat Kahuku |
at Moanalua |
233 |
3 |
| 4. Kamehameha, 15-3 |
beat Maryknoll |
at Damien |
204 |
5 |
| 5. KS-Hawaii, 15-3 |
lost to Honokaa |
at Pahoa |
144 |
4 |
| 6. Saint Louis, 7-6 |
lost to Punahou |
at Iolani |
135 |
6 |
| 7. Konawaena, 15-6 |
beat Keaau |
at St. Joseph |
118 |
7 |
| 8. Kahuku |
lost to Kalaheo |
vs. Castle |
95 |
8 |
| 9. Maryknoll, 12-7 |
beat Damien |
at Mid-Pacific |
32 |
9 |
| 10. Moanalua, 15-9 |
beat Kaimuki |
vs. Kalaheo |
19 |
-- |
» Voted on by coaches and media from around the state
» First-place votes in parentheses
» 10 points for first-place vote, 9 for second, 8 for third; etc.
» Also received votes: Mililani 16, Leilehua 15, Aiea 8, Honokaa 5, Lahainaluna 2, Campbell 1, Kapolei 1; No longer in top 10 (previous rank): Mid-Pacific (No. 10)
