Wednesday, June 2, 1999

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Kalaheo Mustang Brandy Richardson makes her move to the
hoop under the double pressure of Momilani Monis
and Andrea Kaopua.

Brandy Richardson of Kalaheo is honored
as Ms. Basketball Hawaii on the 1999
Star-Bulletin All-State Girls' team

Capsules of all six players on the first team.
Girls' Basketball All-League
Mike Taylor of Maryknoll is named coach of the year

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

Basketball is life. And Brandy Richardson needs a day planner to fit it all in.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays this summer, she has practice for the Kalakaua clinic team that will compete in Las Vegas. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, it's practice for the Kalaheo Mustangs' summer league team.

On Sundays, it's the regular sessions at the Kalakaua clinic. Somewhere, Richardson will have to find time for the Hawaii Select practices, another team that will compete this summer in Las Vegas.

She had a breather last week when the Kalaheo High gym was being used for the school's awards banquets. But it didn't keep Richardson away from her second home - last Wednesday, she was named most valuable in cross country, soccer and basketball, as well as the Mustangs' Female Athlete of the Year.

Today, she adds the Ms. Basketball Hawaii title to her impressive resume.

The 5-foot-10 sophomore led Kalaheo to third place in last month's state tournament. She averaged 20 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for the 14-1 Mustangs, whose only loss was to Punahou in the state tournament semifinals.

Richardson is a work in progress. At the high school level, her size dictates that her position is the post; her college future, however, is probably as a wing player, a position her cousin Nani Cockett played so well at the University of Hawaii.

"People are always asking me for a comparison with Nani because that's the standard," said Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado. "I didn't see Nani in high school, only in college, so it's hard. If Brandy doesn't grow any taller, she's going to have to play the 3.

"She's got to develop her ball-handling. Her outside shot is coming. This summer (on Hawaii Select), we're planning to use her exclusively on the perimeter.

"She's going to be as good as she wants to be. Potential-wise, she's the best out there right now."

And she's got plenty of room to grow.

"Brandy's probably the strongest player in the state right now," said Kamehameha coach Clay Cockett, whose Warriors defeated Punahou for the state championship. "She needs to mature mentally in terms of playing the game. She has the tools to be a Division I player but needs to work on her ballhandling."

"Brandy doesn't play her age," said McKinley coach Jesse Victorino. "She's a heck of a player. I compare her more to (former UH standout) Kaui Wakita, who was also big and strong and could shoot the ball."

"She's just a terrific all-around athlete," said Maryknoll coach Mike Taylor. "She's got good timing on her shot-blocking, rebounds well, her moves to the basket are good.

"I've watched her progress at the Kalakaua clinic. She's improved her outside shooting and ballhandling. She usually comes in at the last clinic, but sometimes she comes early, with the younger kids. Every time she's working 100 percent."

Richardson credits her family for her drive. She, father Patrick, who played football professionally and at UH, and her brothers had pickup games. When she was 11, about the time the family moved from Aiea to Kailua, she began playing in park leagues.

Her extended family has helped as well. Richardson said she talks with Nani Cockett about sports, academics and life.

"She's a big influence," said Richardson. "We talk about family and school coming before basketball, and about being a good person."

Richardson's dream is to play in college and "then take it from there," she said. "I'd like to grow a few more inches, maybe be 6-2.

"Coach Chico's goal is to prepare me for college. That's the plan."

ILH’s Gabriel, Kimball,
Okamura make state
first team

The other first-team all-state selections:

Sheila Azevedo (5-9 senior center, Waiakea): She repeats as a first-team selection after leading the Warriors to a 15-0 record in the BIIF and a second consecutive league title. Azevedo averaged a team-best 17 points and 10 rebounds en route to being named the BIIF Player of the Year for the second season in a row. She hopes to walk on at UH next season.

Amber Ehia (5-5 junior guard, McKinley): The Tigers' top scorer (14.5 ppg) also led the team in assists (4.5 apg) and steals (3.0 spg) during her third varsity season. Her quickness and athleticism have already attracted attention from UCLA, Tennessee and Marquette. Her defense is a step behind her offense but catching up quickly.

Michelle Gabriel (5-6 senior guard, Maryknoll): The Spartans' inspirational leader moves up from the second team this season. She averaged 10.3 points, four assists and led the team in heart and hustle. Maryknoll coach Mike Taylor said he had never seen a player with so much determination to improve, to take drills seriously until she got them right. Gabriel will walk on at UH next season.

Kealani Kimball (5-9 junior forward, Kamehameha): She led the Warriors in points (11.6 ppg) and rebounds (9 rpg) despite playing an average of two quarters a game. Kimball was a very solid shooter (58 percent from the floor). Her value wasn't found on the stat sheet, according to her coach Clay Cockett. He said it was her leadership and unselfishness, a reason Kamehameha won its sixth state title since 1988.

Estee Okamura (5-6 senior guard, Punahou): The Buffanblu's captain capped her third season on the varsity with a second-place finish in the state tournament. She was second on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg), steals and 3-pointers. Okamura was Punahou's defensive specialist and known for her work ethic. She is headed for Pacific on a softball scholarship.

Honorable mention

Robyn Afe, Farrington
Malia Durand, Punahou
Clifflyn Gonsalves, Kauai
Chana Ichinotsubo, Waiakea
Renee Judd, Seabury Hall
Kimberlee Morikawa, Moanalua
Jodi Nakashima, Roosevelt
Kim Shiraishi, Konawaena
Erika Tadio, Honokaa
Ashley Takata, Kalani
Monica Tokoro, Iolani
Cheryl Villarmia, Pearl City
Sharon Wahinekapu, Kalaheo
Ashley Watamura, Mid-Pacific
Lia Wyman, Hawaii Baptist

---

By Cindy Luis, Star-Bulletin

Star-Bulletin All-State team First team Sheila Azevedo, Waiakea Amber Ehia, McKinley Michelle Gabriel, Maryknoll Kealani Kimball, Kamehameha Estee Okamura, Punahou Brandy Richardson, Kalaheo Mike Taylor, coach, Maryknoll Second team Jenn Conner, Kalaheo Katannya Kapeli, Kamehameha Mi-Suk Lee, Konawaena Milia Macfarlane, Punahou Mayumi Stevens, Moanalua Third team Lainee Carvalho, Kapaa Aritta Lane, Aiea Kori Montez, Nanakuli Jami Strapple, St. Francis Rosalinda Masler, Maui

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Girls’ Basketball All-League

BIIF

First team

Chana Ichinotsubo, Waiakea -- Jr. -- G
Kim Shiraishi, Konawaena -- Sr. -- G
Sheila Azevedo, Waiakea -- Sr. -- C
Mi-Suk Lee, Konawaena -- Sr. -- F
Corrie Machesky, Hawaii Prep -- Sr. -- F

Player of Year: Sheila Azevedo, Waiakea. Coach of Year: Melvin Paie, Laupahoehoe.

Second team

Erika Tadio, Honokaa; Chelsey Rodrigues, Kealakehe; Tori Peralta, St. Joseph's; Tenille Ah Choy, Laupahoehoe; Alana Carvalho, Honokaa; Amy Kaaiakamanu, Waiakea.

Honorable mention

Hawaii Prep: Caitlin Kimura, Ana Yarawamai. Hilo: Shantel Dias, Haunani Kipapa, Nadine Yafuso. Honokaa: Myrna Ordonez, Malia Ah Loy. Ka'u: Erinn Cabudol. Kealakehe: Erica Boyer, Shari Pajimola. Konawaena: Chelsea Benton, Tiana Martines-Alcain, Enjoli Izumi-Balterro. Laupahoehoe: Mary Jayne Talbit. Pahoa: Chantel Brigoli. Waiakea: Alyson Martin, Tiffany Chang.

OIA East

First team

Brandy Richardson, Kalaheo -- So. -- F
Robyn Afe, Farrington -- Jr. -- C
Amber Ehia, McKinley -- Jr. -- G
Jody Nakashima, Roosevelt -- So. -- G
Ashley Takata, Kalani -- Fr. -- G

Player of Year: Brandy Richardson, Kalaheo. Coach of Year: Jenic Tumaneng, Farrington.

Second team

Teisa Fotu, Kahuku; Tracey Torralva, McKinley; Sharon Wahinekapu, Kalaheo; Jenn Conner, Kalaheo; Danica Lange, Kaimuki.

Honorable mention

Castle: Jasmine Hillen, Nicole Uperesa. Farrington: Darcy Reformina, Cherilyn Ligot, Nocholle Mata. Kahuku: Siki Suguturaga. Kailua: Teisa Sekona, Amber Smith, Ivena Armand-Baoy, Vanessa Johnson, Tina Kalama. Kaimuki: Jaime Reyes, Hennifer Kelley. Kaiser: Harmoni Elliott, Tawny Hall, Samantha Ching. Kalaheo: Sherine Kanahele, Kate Mellinger, Cheyanne Ringler. Kalani: Jodi-Ann Segawa, Lynn Yang, Tasha Kennedy, Brenda Higashimoto. McKinley: Patricia Ishiki, Tasha Haynes, Pohai Lee, Brianne Ching, Briana Ioane, Filiga Lakisa. Roosevelt: Tishya Cadiente, Megan Fong, Rei Young, Trisha Kadooka, Tracey Kobashigawa.

OIA West

First team

Mayumi Stevens, Moanalua -- Jr. -- G
Kori Montez, Nanakuli -- Sr. -- G
Cheryl Villarmia, Pearl City -- So. -- G
Aritta Lane, Aiea -- So. -- F
Kimberlee Morikawa, Moanalua -- Jr. -- F

Player of Year: Mayumi Stevens, Moanalua. Coach of Year: Alfredo Canencia Jr., Pearl City.

Second team

Momilani Monis, Pearl City; Kayla Richie, Mililani; Keesha Aldridge, Aiea; Kylee Nakamura, Aiea; Rosemarie Kelly, Nanakuli.

Honorable mention

Aiea: Lauren Ho. Campbell: Darnell Domingo, Denise Domingo, Michel Swenson-Suan, Jolani Bobbitt, Jasmine Dias. Leilehua: Tehina Ickes, Kayla Kahuli, Sequoya Stokes, Shavonn Okumura, Heather Liveing-MacDonald. Mililani: Sharlyn Oshiro, Marie Jackson, Jamie Morgan. Moanalua: Chandel Santella. Nanakuli: Maricris Sierra, Lahela Romena, Summer Victor. Pearl City: Mililani Monis, April Stkinson, Tricia Ejima, Rachel Lacar. Radford: Maellene Foki, Natasha Rivera. Waialua: Janice Marcos, Floralyn Dogupion, Iusapsi Makisi. Waianae: Kaui Candelario, Angel Hopeau, Hoku Hamili, Shondell Donato, Giovana Kahue. Waipahu: Renee Pecpec, Natasha Keaunui, Christine Houghton.

ILH Division I

First team

Michelle Gabriel, Maryknoll -- Sr. -- G
Katannya Kapeli, Kamehameha -- Jr. -- F
Milia Macfarlane, Punahou -- So. -- G
Estee Okumura, Punahou -- Sr. -- G
Ashley Watamura, Mid-Pacific -- Jr. -- C

Player of Year: Kealani Kimball, Kamehameha, Jr., F. Coach of Year: Clay Cockett, Kamehameha.

Second team

Nabosa Basse, Maryknoll; Malia Durand, Punahou; Raelen Self, Kamehameha; Tai Soo, Kamehameha; Monica Tokoro, Iolani.

Honorable mention

Iolani: Kari-Lyn Hayashi, Kacy Nekoba, Kristin Masunaga. Kamehameha: Ashley DeSilva, Noelle Russell, Drae Ann Self. Maryknoll: Shayne Enright, Denby Fukuda, Marie Fialkowski, Shannon Riley. Mid-Pac: Jessica Eji. Punahou: Caroline Ane, Mia Moe, Lauren Yamada. Sacred Hearts: Brittney Aiwohi, Samantha Alapa, Carlene Hardin, Nicole Inouye, Tara Lynch. University: Christina Ciacci, Karlee Kailiehu, Iolani Morikami, Jasmine Tua, Janeen Waialae.

ILH Division II

First team

Tiffany Asuncion, St. Francis -- Sr. -- F
Malena Feeney, St. Francis -- Jr. -- F
Jennifer Harding, La Pietra -- Jr. -- C
Kyleen Lee, St. Andrew's -- Sr. -- F
Andrea Monden, Hawaii Baptist -- Sr. -- F

Co-Players of Year: Jami Strapple, St. Francis, Sr, C; Lia Wyman, Hawaii Baptist, Sr., F. Coach of Year: Tony Tyler, St. Francis.

Second team

Carly Ah Sing, Kamehameha; Jackie Caballero, St. Francis; Jessica Choyo, Hawaii Baptist; Devin Otagaki, Punahou; Maya Sakamaki, Iolani.

Honorable mention

Hawaii Baptist: Kellie Hoterna. Iolani: Larissa Fujii, Cindy Higa, Shari Shiramizu. Kamehameha: Namie Kealoha, Kelli Lee, Randa Rogers. La Pietra: Lauren Cassity, Lisa Cassity, Brandie Han, Dawn Yonamine. Maryknoll: Robyn Bachini, Mandy Baptist, Tanny Esperas, Tinaann Heatherly, Kelly Sato. Punahou: Ikeanani Siliga, Kelsi Takabayashi. St. Andrew's: Tiffany Fung, Alexis Reed. St. Francis: Chelsey Correa, Elizabeth Narkon.