Thursday, December 17, 1998

Top teams and talent
in Iolani Classic

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

The 1998 NIKE-Iolani Prep Basketball Classic opens today at the school's main gym with two nationally ranked programs in its 16-team field.

Lower Richland of Hopkins, S.C. (27-2 in 1997), is ranked No. 7 and Rice of Manhattan, N.Y. (24-4), is No. 14.

The tournament, which is being sponsored for the first time by the Oregon-based sports shoe giant, also will feature one of USA Today's preseason ''Super 25" players, Rice's Kenny Satterfield.

The 6-foot-2 guard, who has already signed with Cincinnati, is described as a superb defender and ballhandler who averages 12.8 points per game.

There will be seven out-of-town teams in the Iolani Classic, including Italy's premier program, Scavolini.

This year, Classic officials have invited all of the teams considered Hawaii's top prep contenders.

These include 1998 state champion Iolani School, Oahu Interscholastic Association championship dynasty Kalaheo, Punahou and St. Louis.

Lower Richland returns three starters, including point guard Edward Scott, who averaged 13.7 points, 5 assists and 2.5 steals last year. The forwards are 6-7 Ivan Howell and his 6-9 junior brother, Rolando.

Rice returns only two starters, but Satterfield and 5-9 junior Andre Barrett form one of the nation's best backcourts.

Satterfield averaged 4 assists and 2.5 steals as a junior while Barrett averaged 11.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals.

The team has a young front line but it averages 6-7.

Iolani features 6-5 all-state senior twin forwards Brad and Cord Anderson, while Kalaheo brings back the state's best center, 6-9 junior Julian Sensley.

Punahou is led by versatile 6-5 all-state senior forward Brandon Brooks.

Other mainland teams are Fairfax of Los Angeles, University High of San Diego, Thunderbird High of Phoenix and Timpview of Provo.

Other Hawaii high school teams are Kailua, Roosevelt, Kaimuki, Waipahu and Waimea.

A team from Okinawa rounds out the field.

Fairfax is led by 6-5 senior forward Joe Shipp, considered one of the top prospects in Los Angeles.

University High features 6-7 junior center Chris Walton and 6-8 junior center Kam Walton. Chris is the son of former NBA star Bill Walton.

Thunderbird features 7-0 senior center Kevin Walls.

The classic will continue through Dec. 22.

Iolani Classic

Where At Iolani School
When Today through Tuesday

Today's schedule
Kalaheo vs. Okinawa, 3:30 p.m.
Iolani vs. Waimea, 5 p.m.
Waipahu vs. University High (San Diego), 6:30 p.m.
Roosevelt vs. Fairfax (L.A.), 8 p.m.

Tomorrow's schedule
Timpview (Provo) vs. Scavolini (Italy), 3:30 p.m.
St. Louis vs. Thunderbird (Phoenix), 5 p.m.
Kaimuki vs. Lower Richland (Hopkins, S.C.), 6:30 p.m.
Punahou vs. Rice (N.Y.), 8 p.m.