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Wednesday, February 16, 2000
Rams charge
into OIA semis
Radford remains the lone
undefeated team behind the
1-2 punch of Tanuvasa
and AvillaWho's in, who's out?
By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-BulletinAll season long, the Radford Rams have run roughshod over their Oahu Interscholastic Association basketball opponents.
They have won all 11 games by an average score of 69-49 -- including a 62-47 decision over Leilehua in their first OIA Tournament game last week.
Radford, the only undefeated team in the state, has won all but one game by at least 14 points. The exception was a 76-72 double overtime squeaker against Mililani in their second game of the season.
Tonight, the Rams face their biggest challenge when they tackle six-time defending league champion Kalaheo (9-1) in an OIA Tournament semifinal.
"It will be our toughest game of the season," said second-year Radford coach Tim Harrison.
Harrison will again rely on two seniors, guard Jacob Avilla and center Sa Tanuvasa.
Against Leilehua last week, Avilla and Tanuvasa nearly out-scored the entire Mules' team, combining for 40 points to Leilehua's 47.
The 6-foot-3 Tanuvasa and Avilla, a point guard who transferred from Redlands, Calif., each average about 14 points a game.
Tanuvasa said his game on the interior has been helped by the addition of Avilla.
"He's opened up the inside for me," Tanuvasa said. "He's helped (the entire team) a lot."
Harrison agreed.
"Jacob is talented and works very hard. He brings a certain attitude to the team," he said.
"(Avilla is) a complete point guard, and he can really play defense," Tanuvasa said.
Avilla is a complete offensive player who likes to drive to the basket, pass and shoot from the outside.
In the Leilehua game, he knocked down five 3-pointers.
Moanalua head coach Richard Pagan said Avilla is important for Radford because of how he plays defense and controls the tempo on offense.
Because of his size and athleticism, Tanuvasa is difficult to stop inside.
Tanuvasa said he likes to dunk, but also takes pride in his defense.
"Avilla and Tanuvasa are the key," Kalaheo coach Pete Smith said. "If you have good guard play you can do a lot of things. And anytime you're strong up the middle, you can be successful."
The Rams, 6-5 last year in Harrison's first season, have been ranked first in the HawaiiSportsNetwork.com Media Top 10 poll since the start of this season.
"The big difference is I have a core of players who know the system I run," Harrison said.
Isaac Dunklee often gets overshadowed by Avilla and Tanuvasa. But Harrison appreciates the senior's efforts.
"He may be the most valuable guy on the team," Harrison said. "He leads us in rebounding and he's our best defender."
The team that did the best job of stopping the Radford offense was Moanalua. The Menehunes held the Rams to 52 points when the teams met in January.
Pagan said the way to slow down Radford is to keep the Rams off the boards and not give them multiple chances on the offensive end.
Most opponents could not do that and Radford was able to run an up-tempo style.
"They're a great team," Smith said. "They pressure you on defense and they run real well. They have great athletic ability."
Kalaheo lost two close games to Radford in preseason tournaments.
Harrison said the only thing the early games showed was that the teams are evenly matched.
The Mustangs are led by D.C. Daniels, who was the leading scorer in the OIA East at just under 17 points a game.
"We have to try to be disciplined and get good shots and if they press we have to try to get some easy buckets," Smith said. "We have to take care of the basketball."
Harrison said the Rams have to play good team defense, and will try to push the ball on the fast break.
"The game should go down to the wire," said Pagan.
The state boys' high school basketball tournament isn't until next week, but only one opening is left in the 12-team field. Who's in, who's out?
Castle, unbeaten until a stunning 45-43 loss to Mililani in the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs last week, is out. The OIA's four semifinalists are in.
Kalaheo (9-1) visits Radford (11-0) at 7:30 tonight in one semi, and Mililani (8-4) goes to Roosevelt (9-2) in the other. The winners meet Friday at the Blaisdell Center at 7 p.m. for the OIA championship. The game will be televised on Oceanic Cable, channel 16.
St. Louis (10-2) and Iolani (9-3) of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu have clinched state berths and are not playing this week. But six other ILH teams, including Division II champion Mid-Pacific, are battling for the league's third spot.
The Maui Interscholastic League championship Friday at 7:30 at King Kekaulike matches first-half champion Baldwin (13-3) against second-half titlist Lahainaluna (14-12). Both are in the state tournament.
In the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, regular-season champion Hilo (10-1) plays BIIF tournament champion Honokaa (10-2) Friday night at 7:30 at Kealakehe for the BIIF title. These two teams are also both in the state tournament.
