Monday, April 9, 2001
The seeds of Kalaheo High's state boys basketball championship season were planted in the heart of Los Angeles months before the Mustangs' first practice.
When it came time to choose
Little guys lead first team By Jason Kaneshiro
Mr. Basketball 2001, there
were two clear choices,
so why not have two?
Star-BulletinSkyler Wilson, a slick point guard from Southern California, and D.C. Daniels, Kalaheo's all-state shooting guard, arrived on the campus of Cal State-Dominguez Hills last July for the Double Pump West Coast All-Star Camp with the intention of showing off their skills for the college scouts.
And although they played on different teams, they left with a shared vision of what they could accomplish together on the court.
"I knew if we were on the same team we could have caused some destruction down there," Wilson said.
The next time the duo met it was as Kalaheo teammates, and they soon took turns destroying the competition in leading the Mustangs to the state title and earning co-Mr. Basketball honors as the top players in the state.
"They hit it off right away," said Kalaheo coach Pete Smith. "They really played well together and I think D.C. welcomed (Wilson) with open arms."
Wilson, Smith's nephew, transferred to Kalaheo from Southern California's La Quinta High to play his senior season for his uncle. And upon arriving in Kailua, the first person he sought was Daniels, who helped him get adjusted to island life. The duo soon became inseparable, whether they were cruising the courts looking for a game or driving out to KC's Barber Shop in Wahiawa for a touch-up on their 'dos.
"That was pretty important," Wilson said of his friendship with Daniels. "He was the first person I saw when I got here, and it helped me get adapted to the school and getting to know people, because he already knew everybody."
Their ease off the court translated to instant chemistry on it. With Daniels and junior forward Ikaika Alama-Francis already in place to carry the scoring load, Wilson's ball-handling and floor generalship completed the Mustangs' machine.
"I like the way he plays with his team," Daniels said. "He's a point guard who can score and he just has great court vision, and that's what we needed this year.
"We both knew what each other was capable of doing and we had a tendency to look for each other," he added. "Skyler would drop dimes on me, and I would drop dimes on him. He'd give me some nice alley-oop passes."
Wilson's presence helped offset Daniels' early-season struggles, as the 6-foot-1 junior was hampered by a hairline fracture in his foot.
But the injury healed in time for the postseason, and Daniels saved his best performances for the state tournament. He opened the week with a 23-point performance against Punahou and scored a game-high 16 points in the semifinals against St. Louis.
Daniels then capped the season by hitting for 30 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in Kalaheo's 68-60 victory over Iolani in the state title game Feb. 24, while Wilson had 17 points and six boards.
"That state tournament I was finally 100 percent. I could do all the things I'd been wanting to do all season," Daniels said. "I could jump, I could get strong boards without babying my foot. I could get up on my jumper a little more and I could take it to the hole."
Wilson is now looking to take his game to the next level, as he has received interest from NCAA Division-I schools such as St. Mary's, San Jose State and Southern Methodist as well as Division-II UH-Hilo. Daniels has another season at Kalaheo, but he has also caught the eye of several college coaches.
And while their lone season together as Mustangs is behind them, WIlson and Daniels certainly aren't done wreaking havoc together on the court.
"We go around the island looking for games," Daniels said. "Looking for courts to run people off of."
Hawaii School Web Sites
The axiom that guard-play will carry a team far held true this year and is reflected in the selections for 2001 Star-Bulletin boys basketball All-State team. Little guys lead
All-State first teamGuards are recognized,
By Jason Kaneshiro
earning 4 of the squad's 5 spots
Star-BulletinWhile Kalaheo's backcourt combination of D.C. Daniels and Skyler Wilson helped lead the Mustangs to the state championship, this year's first-team includes two other floor generals who guided their teams deep into the state tournament -- Iolani freshman Derrick Low and Honokaa senior Austin Souza. Eric Marshall, Leilehua's dynamic sophomore forward, is the only frontcourt star on the first-team.
"I think the guard play in Hawaii was a lot stronger than I had seen in many years," said Leilehua coach Keith Spencer, who was named the state coach of the year.
While Wilson's play at point guard may have been the piece that completed Kalaheo's state championship puzzle this season, Daniels' scoring ability held the Mustangs together throughout their championship season.
"I felt D.C. was really the glue of that team," Spencer said. "And Skyler had to be the best point guard in the state."
If Wilson topped this year's crop of point guards, Low and Souza were not far behind.
At just 5-foot-5, Souza stood tall for the Dragons, who captured the Big Island Interscholastic Federation title and advanced to the state tournament semifinals.
Low, meanwhile, burst on the prep basketball scene with a spectacular freshman season in leading the Raiders to the state championship game.
"Derrick is beyond his years," Spencer said. "I can't remember another freshman that talented coming into the league."
Marshall made the leap from the junior varsity level to blossom into one of the state's top post players this season. Spencer said the 6-foot-1 sophomore played out of position much of the year by playing center when he was better suited for small forward.
While Marshall made great strides in his second year at Leilehua, he'll complete his journey in North Carolina, as his family is preparing to relocate due to their military commitment. Spencer envies the coach who will end up with Marshall's services.
"They're definitely going to have a ball player on their hands," he said.
Marshall's development helped Spencer lead the Mules to the Oahu Interscholastic Association West summit this season. Leilehua went on to a third-place finish in the OIA Tournament and a fifth-place showing in the state tournament.
"The key was team chemistry," Spencer said. "They played together and they were willing to make the extra pass ... It made us really hard to defend, because anyone who was scouting us had to prepare for all five guys."
Big men dominate the All-State second-team, led by Kalaheo's Ikaika Alama-Francis, Kamehameha's Kolo Kapanui, St. Louis' Justin Harris and Honokaa's Edward Aldridge. Mililani guard Rashaun Broadus rounds out the squad.
"This year, I thought, was an exceptional year with all of the talent all over the state," said Kalaheo coach Pete Smith.
Players of the Year: D.C. Daniels and Skyler Wilson, Kalaheo 2001 All-State
Boys Basketball Team
Coach of the Year: Keith Spencer, Leilehua
First team Height Year G Skyler Wilson, Kalaheo 6-0 12 G D.C. Daniels, Kalaheo 6-1 11 G Austin Souza, Honokaa 5-5 12 G Derrick Low, Iolani 6-0 9 F Eric Marshall, Leilehua 6-1 10 Second team Height Year G Rashaun Broadus, Mililani 5-10 11 F Justin Harris, St. Louis 6-4 12 F Edward Aldridge, Honokaa 6-3 12 F Ikaika Alama-Francis, Kalaheo 6-6 11 C Kolo Kapanui, Kamehameha 6-3 12
Player of the year--Skyler Wilson, Sr., 6-0, Kalaheo. OIA East All-Stars
Coach of the year--Tim Harrison, Kailua.
First team--Skyler Wilson, Sr., 6-0, Kalaheo; Ikaika Alama-Francis, Jr., 6-6, Kalaheo; D.C. Daniels, Jr., 6-1, Kalaheo; Aaron Francisco, Sr., 6-2, Kahuku; Kila Kamakawiwoole, Sr., 6-2, Kaimuki.
Second team--Alii Alisa, Sr., 6-0, Kahuku; Micah Casey, Sr., 6-6, Kahuku; Koali Castillo, Sr., 6-3, Kailua; C.J. Kaimiola, Jr., 6-1, Kalaheo; Kala Koki, Sr., 6-4, Roosevelt.
Honorable mention--Castle: Joel Botelho, Keoki Rapisora. Farrington: Jason Domingo, Warren Gasper, Sanford McKee, Chad Mock, Naseri Sunia. Kahuku: Inoki Funaki, James Kammerer. Kailua: Mike Cathcart, Galeki Maifau, Jordon Montgomery, Samson Satele. Kaimuki: Justin Faimealelei, Daniel Swearingen, Daniel Tautofi, Jesse Wong. Kaiser: Noah Amerson, Eric Ching, Tyler Fujie, Jason Peters, Nate Ushio. Kalaheo: Aubrey Bradley, Remington Chun, Keoki Duarte, Nathan Ijima, Shaydon Marumoto. Kalani: Robert D'Amato, Hunter Lewis, Mike McQuay, Justin Namazu. McKinley: Justin Book, Voltaire Gansit, Christopher Gentzler-Cluney, Edsley Hicks, Justin Kaapa, Shawn Pacquing. Moanalua: Chris Beck, Aaron Fujino, David Kilborn, Joey Sierra, Nickolas Slate, Chris Young. Roosevelt: Clyde Kuwanoe, Keola Stietzel, T.J. Talaro, Joshua Yoshimoto.
Player of the year--Eric Marshall, So., 6-1, Leilehua. OIA West All-Stars
Coach of the year--Keith Spencer, Leilehua.
First team--Eric Marshall, So, 6-1, Leilehua; Terry Ayers, Sr., 6-1, Pearl City; Rashaun Broadus, Jr., 5-10, Mililani; William Broadus, Sr., 6-2, Mililani; Joshua Jumawan, Sr., 5-10, Leilehua.
Second team--Chad Bailey, Sr., 6-4, Campbell; Kevin Calloway, Sr., 6-4, Radford; Clifton Feliciano, Sr., 5-11, Leilehua; Garland Gantt, Sr., 6-0, Leilehua; Ty Jarrett, Sr., 5-9, Pearl City.
Honorable mention--Aiea: Chris Antonio, Anthony Johnson, Daniel Min, Aaron Powell, Wes Williams. Campbell: Domonique Carter, Fred Donald, Chad Kelley, Gentel Morris, Antone Pacheco, Randy Saramosing. Leilehua: Recardo Bachelor, Mike Helgerson. Mililani: Trey Brown, Hoku Patoc, Kaipo Patoc. Nanakuli: Kaleo Enos, Beray Medeiros, Albert Napoleon, Evered Romena, Anthony Sandobal. Pearl City: Kristopher Liederback, Kaipo Morris, Clifton Weaver. Radford: Sam Baker, Dwight Edwards, Josh Redding, Kula Tanuvasa. Waialua: Jonathan Aceret, Desmond Amper, Randall Isomura, Gregory Sistoso, Ikaika Soares. Waianae: Calvin Brown. Waipahu: Paulo Aga, Chris Coloma, Maurice Daniels.
Player of the year--Derrick Low, Fr., 6-0, Iolani. ILH Division I All-Stars
Coach of the year--Dr. Mark Mugiishi, Iolani.
First team--Justin Harris, Sr., 6-4, St. Louis; Kolo Kapanui, Sr., 6-4, Kamehameha; Richard Kim, Sr., 5-10, Punahou; Jason Rivers, So., 6-2, St. Louis; Bobby Webster, Jr., 6-1, Iolani.
Second team--Ricky Bauer, Sr., 6-2, Mid-Pacific; Travis McGaughy, Sr., 6-0, Iolani; Frank Rivers, Sr., 6-4, St. Louis; Nainoa Spencer, Sr., 6-2, Kamehameha; Russell Sypowicz, Sr., 6-2, Maryknoll.
Honorable mention--Damien: Brandon Ahakuelo, Mark Arquero, Jarin Garma, Aaron Jaranillo, Ashton Saifoloi. Iolani: Bronson Melemai, Bobby Nash, Tyler McCready. Kamehameha: Caleb Spencer, Sean Uyehara. Maryknoll: Ryan Hirata, Sean Ortiz. Mid-Pacific: Clint Copulos, James Ogiwara, Kyle Yanabu. Punahou: Kynan Pang, Todd LaFountaine, David Kowen, Lucas Love, Dane Uperesa. St. Louis: Brenden Clement, J.P. Kanoa, T.J. Moe, Jose Vidad.
Player of the year--Wilson Wu, Sr., St. Louis. ILH Division II All-Stars
Coach of the year--Doug Frias, St. Louis.
First team--Eric Ching, Sr., Hawaii Baptist; Adam Dreher, Sr., St. Louis; David Lehmann, Jr., Lutheran; Parker Wittbrodt, Sr., Iolani; Zack Zoccolante, Sr., Punahou.
Second team--Alika Durington, Jr., Lanakila Baptist; Willie Greenwell, Sr., Kamehameha; Kainoa Kaaihili, Sr., St. Louis; Leroy Nicholas, Sr., Iolani; Kevin Sahara, Sr., Punahou.
Honorable mention--Assets: Blaine Kelai, Reid Okaneku, Daylan Sunada. Hanalani: Lito Alcantara, Brian Cadacio. Hawaii Baptist: David Bartosik, Rorey LaPuente, Brent Yonemoto. Iolani: Rich Carlile, Shane Ouchi. Kamehameha: Wayne Coito, Mana Easley, Kaina Lucrisia. Lutheran: Peter Lee, Matt Taira, Kevin Young. Maryknoll: Colin Lee. Punahou: Matthew Hisaka, Kevin Lau, David Pietsch, Michael Robinson, Reid Yamada. Redemption: Grant Huihui, Adam Leong, Mike Wojnarowicz. St. Louis: Grandon Costa, Paul Fernandez-Reyes, Gino Gosiaco. University: Chris Beebe, Tristen Child, Jeris Nakamasu.
Player of the year--Edward Aldridge, Sr., 6-3, Honokaa. BIIF All-stars
Coach of the year--Cheyenne Meyer, Honokaa.
First team--Edward Aldridge, Sr., 6-3, Honokaa; Derek Gabriel, Sr., 5-6, Honokaa; Napela Naniole, Sr., 6-5, Hilo; Kelii Pomeroy, Sr., 6-4, Waiakea; Austin Souza, Sr., 5-5, Honokaa.
Second team--Beau Cazimero, Sr., 5-8, Kohala; Bully Fergerstrom, Jr., 5-10, Hawaii Prep; Chris Kanakaole, Jr., 6-4, St. Joseph's; Ashley Labowski, Sr., 6-0, Kealakehe; Joshua McDonald, Sr., 6-0, Laupahoehoe; Ely Sather, Jr., 6-7, Kealakehe.
Honorable mention--Hilo: Christian Basilio, Preston Jarneski, Tim Toomey. Hawaii Prep: Cody Michaelis. Honokaa: Kaniela Aiona, Kenny Ruiz. Keaau: Joshua Cabreros. Kealakehe: Hilama Anakalea, Marcus Weems. Kohala: Leland Glan. Konawaena: Daryl Grace. Pahoa: Lawrence Antonio, Bryan Bartolome, Ashley McGuire, Rudy Valentino. St. Joseph's: Karl McGuire, Jensen Ontiveros. Waiakea: Evan Bartholomew, Brandon Kawazoe, Chase Sakamoto.
Player of the year--Rhyan Greenleaf, Sr., Kapaa. KIF All-Stars
Coach of the year--Michael Ban, Kapaa.
First team--Winnie Arios, Jr., Waimea; Kekoa Chun, Sr., Kapaa; Jason Kashiwabara, Sr., Kauai; Keola Karratti, Sr., Waimea; R.J. Pillos, Sr., Kauai.
Players of the year -- Cliff Dagulo, Sr., Baldwin; Cheyne Dela Garza, Jr., Maui. MIL All-Stars
Coach of the year -- Jimmy Fernandez, Lanai
First team -- Cheyne Dela Garza, Jr., Maui; Cliff Dagulo, Sr., Baldwin; David Tufaga, Sr., Maui; Les Johnson, Sr., Maui; Dionisuo Dante, Jr., Maui; Reed Suzuki, Sr., Baldwin.
Second team -- Rocky Sanchez, Jr., Lanai; Travis Pascua, Sr., Lanai; Sione Finau, Sr., Lahainaluna; Alika Amasui, Sr., Baldwin; Likeke Davis, Jr., Lanai; AJ Garbin, Jr., Baldwin.
Honorable Mention -- King Kekaulike: Jarren Adams, Alika Gaskin; Lahainaluna: Owen Omiat, Tevita Finau; Lanai: Sam Spano; Molokai: Trenson Akana, Demarques Potter; St. Anthony: Travis Texira, David Rivera, Joshua Akana; Seabury Hall: Jay Uruo.
Hawaii School Web Sites
