Top-seeded
Kamehameha
looks to repeat
The defending state girls'
basketball team might face
No. 2 Kalaheo again in final
By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin
This year's Kamehameha girls' basketball team is so good, even their coach is willing to say so.
"This is probably the best girls' team Kamehameha has had," Warriors coach Clay Cockett said.
Top-seed Kamehameha heads into the state tournament on a 26-game winning streak, including a 21-0 overall record this year.
The team that won the state title last year returned basically intact, and has only gotten better this year.
"It's the same team as last year but we're more mature in how we play," senior Katannya Kapeli said. "We have the same talent and ability but now we know how to use that ability better."
"Our team this year is more physically fit and we're stronger," senior Raelen Self said. "We're playing together better than we did last year."
The Warriors blitzed through the ILH season this year, and were only seriously challenged once, by Punahou.
The senior tandem of All-State forward/guard Kapeli, second-team All-State guard Self and 1999 state tournament MVP, forward Kealani Kimball, have been the guiding force for the Warriors.
But Cockett was quick to point out the factor that makes this year's squad so good.
"We have a lot of depth on this team, about eight or nine deep," he said.
Junior guard Noelle Russell is usually the first off the bench, but reserves Megan Ching, Megan Kanoa, Courtney Chai and Lehua Wood have all proven they can contribute on both sides of the court.
If the seeding holds to form, Kamehameha will meet No. 2 seed Kalaheo (21-2 overall) in the state final.
The two teams met in the preseason, with the Warriors winning by 10.
"Both teams were still in their developing stages, and we were trying to figure ourselves out," Kapeli said. "It was a really tough game."
"Kamehameha jumped on us early," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said. "Our kids were a little bit in awe of the defending state champs."
The Mustangs made a comeback, and got within five points with just a couple minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Kalaheo junior Brandy Richardson scored 16 points, even though she was coming off an injury.
"To stop Kalaheo, you have to be able to play great defense," Cockett said. "Brandy is probably the best player in the state and no one player can stop her."
But even the team with the "best player in the state" wasn't able to topple the Warriors.
Kamehameha has had many great teams - including the 1990 squad, featuring freshman Nani Cockett, that went 27-0 - and has won six championships since 1988.
The Warriors have gone 42-1 the past two seasons and are only three wins away from cementing their place in state basketball history -- and they are still trying to improve.
"Our theme for this year is "Getting better every game" so hopefully if we get to the championship game we'll be playing our best," Kimball said.
Today's first round games at the Stan Sheriff Center are Honokaa-Leilehua (3 p.m.), Kapaa-Punahou (4:30 p.m.), Maui-Kahuku (6 p.m.) and Nanakuli-Mid-Pacific (7:30 p.m.).
Team capsules
KAMEHAMEHA (21-0, ILH champion, No. 1 seed, coach Clay Cockett, six championships, the last in 1999): The Warriors are led by the "Big Three" combo of Raelen Self, Katannya Kapeli and Kealani Kimball. Ashley DeSilva is a constant threat from the perimeter.
KALAHEO (21-2, OIA champions, No. 2 seed, coach Chico Furtado, runner-up in 1998): The Mustangs are trying to become the first non-ILH team to win a title since Waiakea won in 1986. They are led by 5-10 junior forward Brandy Richardson and senior guard Sharon Wahinekapu. This is a young team. Taking care of the basketball, and working through early jitters, will be crucial.
SEABURY HALL (22-4, MIL champion, No. 3 seed, coach Leland Parker): The Spartans enter the tournament on a 15-game winning streak. They have some size in the frontcourt, with 5-11 forward Courtney Cole and 5-11 center Chelsea Kohl. Five-foot-four guard Randi Kikuchi has a nickname of "Small Dynamite."
WAIAKEA (17-5, BIIF champion, No. 4 seed, coach Gilbert Tomas, back-to-back champions, 1985-86): Defense is the key for the Warriors. They are led on the offensive end by junior guard Allyson Martin and sophomore forward Myra Amisone.
HONOKAA (10-3, BIIF 2nd place, coach Daphne Honma): The Dragons were the regular season BIIF champs, but lost to Waiakea twice in tournament play. Five-foot-six sophomore guard Erika Tadio is a major scoring threat for the Dragons.
KAHUKU (14-8, OIA 3rd place, coach Mona Ah Hoy, one championship, 1983): Started slowly in the preseason, but are peaking at the right time. They upset unbeaten Moanalua in the OIA Tournament. The Red Raiders look to UH-bound senior April Atuaia and junior Lindsey Williams to carry the scoring load.
KAPAA (8-0, KIF champion, coach Michael Ban): The Warriors are led by last year's Kauai player of the year, 5-5 senior guard Jordyn Danner. Junior center Ashley Farias can also provide offense for the Warriors.
LEILEHUA (14-7, OIA 4th place, coach Buz Vaspar): The Mules enter the tournament with serious injury problems. Their main scoring threat, Kayla Kahuli, was injured in the OIA Tournament, and Charlotte and Heidi Garcia are out as well. They'll look to 6-0 sophomore forward Sequoya Stokes for points.
NANAKULI (12-11, OIA 2nd place, coach Darin Pilialoha): The Golden Hawks went 1-8 in the preseason, but had a complete turnaround in the OIA, taking Kalaheo down to the wire in the league title game. Guards Maricris Sierra and Rosemarie Kelley are the main scoring threats.
PUNAHOU (19-4, ILH 2nd place, coach Shelley Fey, six championships, the last in 1998): This is a young team, with two freshmen starting. They are successful when each of the players fill their role. They have improved as the year has progressed, playing Kamehameha closely in their final regular season game. Junior Milia Macfarlane, who led the league with 19 treys, and freshman Becky Hogue are main offensive weapons.
MAUI (16-3, MIL 2nd place, coach David NeSmith): The Sabers are a veteran squad, with seven seniors on their roster. They lost to Seabury Hall in the MIL championship game.
MID-PACIFIC (12-8, ILH 3rd place, coach Darin Lee): This is the Owls' first tournament appearance since 1993. They have the league's leading scorer in 5-8 senior guard Jade Savusa. Savusa can score from anywhere. Center Ashley Watamura has also had huge games offensively.
