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Monday, February 21, 2000
Hilo top seed in
state boys basketball
tournament
It's the first time in school
By Dave Reardon
history the Vikings are
No. 1; St. Louis is No. 2
Star-BulletinRespect has often been an issue for the Hilo High boys basketball team as it headed into the state tournament.
This year, the Vikings finally are getting the respect they feel they deserve. For the first time in their 38 appearances, they are the top-seeded team of the 12-team tournament, which begins tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Hilo (11-1), along with the other seeded teams -- No. 2 St. Louis (10-2), No. 3 Roosevelt (11-2) and No. 4 Baldwin (14-3) -- also get a more tangible reward: a first-round bye.
Does being the official team to beat add pressure?
"I hope it doesn't, but it seems like it may," said Hilo coach Larry Manliguis. "Friends have been calling, asking about it, and this is my fourth interview today. This is new territory."
A state championship, however, would not be. Hilo won it all in 1991 under Manliguis, and also in 1964, when his brother, Al, was coaching.
The Vikings have Roosevelt to partly thank for their top billing. The Rough Riders upset Radford, 53-46, in the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship game Friday night. The Rams (12-1) entered that game as the only unbeaten team in the state and consensus No.1.
"I don't see any dominant teams," Manliguis said. "Usually in past years, there would be one or two teams that really stood out. This year it seems very balanced."
The Vikings are led by the senior backcourt of 5-foot-9 point guard Jason Mandaquit and 5-11 Kimo Keiter-Charles.
Other starters are 6-1 senior forward Wes Martinez, 6-2 junior forward Riggs Nathaniel and 6-4 junior center Napela Naniole.
"We try to push the ball all the time and press," Manliguis said. "We've also been focusing on our half-court defense."
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Hilo plays the winner of tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. game between Iolani (9-3) and Mililani (8-6).
Tomorrow's other first-round games are Honokaa (10-3) and Kalaheo (10-2) at 3 p.m.; Lahainaluna (14-3) versus defending champion Punahou (10-4) at 4:30 p.m.; and Kauai (6-2) against Radford at 6 p.m.
Hilo High School
St. Louis School
