[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]
So begins the year 1 A.B. -- After Brandy. Post-Brandy Mustangs still
a force in OIA EastBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAfter four years as the dominant girls basketball player in the Oahu Interscholastic Association, Brandy Richardson has moved on from Kalaheo to UC Santa Barbara, leaving the Lady Mustangs with eight freshmen and sophomores on a roster of 13 players.
So the four-time defending league champions are in trouble, right? Maybe not.
Kalaheo won 10 of its first 11 preseason games and remains the team to beat in the OIA East.
"Obviously we don't have that person we can depend on to do everything," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said. "You don't lose a three-time player of the year and not feel some effect. But I think we've handled that by spreading out the responsibilities to several people."
The OIA season begins tomorrow night with five OIA East games. The OIA West starts its season Wednesday.
Kalaheo, which plays Kaimuki in its opener Friday, had five players in double figures in a win over Konawaena in the Fila-Lady Tiger Challenge earlier this month and has beaten teams with size in the post and sharp outside shooting.
Brina Fritzsche, Kalena Hatori and Latoya Wily give the Mustangs one of the league's tallest front lines. Wily, a transfer from Kahuku, has led the team in scoring in most of its preseason contests.
Sophomore Bre Carson returns at point guard and freshman Shantel Marumoto will start at shooting guard, with senior Natasha Lagapa providing firepower off the bench.
Carson and Lagapa combined to hit 10 3-point shots in Kalaheo's win over Konawaena.
"Sometimes they're a little tentative, so we're trying to get them to realize that once you get to varsity basketball (grade levels) go out the door," Furtado said of his younger players. "We're going to expect our freshmen and sophomores to grow up very quickly."
Kalaheo leads a wide-open race for the division title. Kalani returns four starters, including high-scoring guard Ashley Takata. Moanalua features the inside-outside combination of forward Patti Hardimon and guard Amy Kotani. Kahuku opened some eyes with its play in the preseason and McKinley is a perennial contender.
"This season the whole eastern division is tough," Kalani coach Mike Zane said. "It's just going to be whoever gets the good breaks, who creates opportunities for themselves and who prepares well. And with a little bit of luck we'll be in it."
"The east side is going to be a real dogfight," Furtado said. "Every team has a go-to person."
In the OIA West, Aiea is in full rebuilding mode after losing four starters from last year's state championship squad. With Aritta Lane, Keesha Aldridge, Kylee Nakamura and Joelle Sugai gone, Na Alii coach Fran Villarmia-Kahawai must replace not only points and rebounds, but leadership.
"It's a whole different team from last year," Villarmia-Kahawai said. "Half our team are first-time varsity players."
Jasmine Dias is the only returning starter for a Na Alii team that won just two of their first seven preseason games. Noelani Colburn was the only other player to see significant court time last year, but sat out most of the preseason with a thumb injury.
The key for Aiea will be how quickly the younger players can adjust to their roles in the spotlight.
"They've been trying to fill the void," Villarmia-Kahawai said. "I told them, they played against Keesha and Aritta last year in practice so they should be pretty good. I think they just need game time and experience."
Leilehua finished second to Aiea last year and figures to be one of the division favorites. Radford is also dangerous led by guard Heather Massey, a first-team OIA West all-star last season.
Waialua could also emerge as a sleeper. Guard Glenelle Matas scored 34 points in a win over Kahuku earlier this month.
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