Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Andersons’
eligibility court
case dismissed

Iolani's twin all-state
basketball players won't be
allowed to play in the
state tournament

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Circuit Court Judge Gail Nakatani yesterday granted a motion by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to dismiss an eligibility lawsuit brought by Iolani's twin all-state basketball players.

Brad and Cord Anderson, 6-foot-5 forwards for the defending state champion Raiders, were seeking a waiver to the HHSAA rule prohibiting fifth-year seniors from playing in state tournaments.

They took their case to court after an appeal to the HHSAA's executive board was turned down last summer.

Iolani appears headed for another state tournament berth with four games to play in the ILH. The Raiders hold a half game lead in first place over Punahou. The Buffanblu also have a key player, point guard Steve Gilliam, who will be affected by the HHSAA rule.

Gilliam was not party to the Andersons' suit.

The twins transferred from Hawaii Preparatory Academy as sophomores and repeated the 10th grade at Iolani.

While the HHSAA bars them, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu allows fifth-year seniors to play.

''It's kind of discouraging knowing how we can be there the whole season and play for the ILH championship, but come the state tournament we are separated from the team," said Brad Anderson last night.

But Cord Anderson said he and his brother remain highly motivated for the ILH season.

''Now winning the ILH title is our primary goal," he said.

''They have the right to appeal but I don't think they will do that," said Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi.

''We all feel disappointed but all they really wanted was a fair hearing. They're not happy with the outcome but they're happy with the process."

The twins are also outstanding shot put and discus competitors but will not be able to compete in the HHSAA track and field meet next spring.

Prior to this, the state's most celebrated basketball eligibility case took place in 1987, when Gib Arnold, who transferred from Utah to Punahou, was denied a reprieve from the rule in Circuit Court and Hawaii Supreme Court.

Lawyers argued that the rule limited Arnold's scholarship opportunities -- a violation of his constitutionally guaranteed property rights.

He was the son of Frank Arnold, who coached the Hawaii men's basketball team at the time.