CLICK TO SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Star-Bulletin Sports



[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]

art
KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
After winning a state championship and earning Star-Bulletin Mr. Basketball honors as a sophomore, Derrick Low has much to look forward to in his future as a basketball player.



Mr. Basketball

Iolani's Derrick Low reaches a
new height as the Star-Bulletin's
Player of the Year

Winning matters in making team
ALL-STATE TEAMS


By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

DERRICK Low's game is anything but low-key. The Iolani sophomore and the Star-Bulletin's selection as 2002 Mr. Basketball captured the attention of the entire state with his heroics on the court this season.

His deft ball-handling, advanced court savvy and superb body control that allowed him to finish shots many might not even attempt had everyone buying into the hype surrounding one of the state's brightest basketball talents.

Everyone except Derrick Low.

"It's hard for anybody not to get caught up in the hype and the publicity, let alone when you're 15 years old," Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi said. "He has adults admiring him, 40-year-old people saying, 'Can I have you autograph?' And he is absolutely the most humble, nice, obedient kid you can imagine. He's just a nice kid and it really has not affected him at all."

Low's attitude was evident in the preseason when he agreed to sacrifice a few points per game by moving from shooting guard to point guard.

After a few growing pains, Low emerged as Iolani's undisputed floor leader as he guided the Raiders to the state championship.

"Obviously he's a phenomenal athlete and a really good basketball player, but to be mature enough as a 10th-grader to understand what the coach wants and what the team needs and deliver it every single night is really quite amazing," Mugiishi said.

Low's point output didn't suffer terribly with the move, as he averaged 15.6 points, 2.3 steals and 3.1 rebounds per game on his way to being named the Gatorade state player of the year and becoming the clear favorite of the panel of coaches and media members consulted in making the All-State selections.

But his first duty was to distribute the ball to his teammates and run Mugiishi's offensive scheme.

"The point guard's job is tough," Low said. "He has to lead the team and decide who will score and who gets the ball and has to think of the plays. That was a tough role for me, but it all ended up pretty good."

"When he distributes the ball the team plays better," said junior forward and All-State pick Bobby Nash. "And when we get him the ball we try to make him look good so he can get his points. Good things happen when he's got the ball in his hands."

Low was a first team all-state selection as a freshman after helping Iolani reach the state title game.

When his sophomore year rolled around, Low wasted little time in establishing his place as state's premier player by leading the Raiders to a fifth-place finish in the Iolani Prep Classic.

Iolani's only loss of the tournament was a 61-59 defeat to Los Angeles power and eventual champion Fairfax in the quarterfinals. Low scored 17 points in that game, but it was his ability to control the game that impressed the Lions.

"Low is an outstanding player and everyone kind of plays off of him," Fairfax coach Harvey Kitani said after the game.

Low led the Raiders to an undefeated Interscholastic League of Honolulu campaign, but he saved his best for the state's biggest stage.

Low turned in one of the most efficient performances in state tournament history in Iolani's 58-57 victory over Kalaheo in the title game. He made 11 of 16 shots and committed just two turnovers in a 33-point performance.

"For him to score at will against a team like Kalaheo you had to say this guy has got to be the best in the state," Kaimuki coach Stephen Lee said. "I think everybody when they watched that game they realized that he was just unstoppable."

"I still watch the tape sometimes when I have free time," Low admitted.

That tape may soon provide Low more than a relaxing night at home. While it's still too early for colleges to contact Low, Mugiishi said several schools, including Duke, Maryland and Kansas, have requested footage of Iolani games.

Low also hopes to grab the attention of college coaches when he participates in the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis in July.

While Low is on his way to becoming one of the most decorated players the state has produced, he continues to hone his game with a demeanor that endears him to his coaches and makes him the nightmare of opponents.

"He's like a sponge," Mugiishi said. "He keeps listening and keeps getting better."


BACK TO TOP

|

Winning matters in making team


By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

When Hawaii's basketball teams were spun through the centrifuge of the high school season, a few separated themselves as the state's elite.

All five members of the Star-Bulletin's All-State boys basketball team capped outstanding individual seasons by leading their teams to the state tournament's final four and emerged as clear choices for the squad.

Mililani senior Rashaun Broadus established himself as one of the most electrifying guards in the state with his quickness and ability to take over a game.

"He's too quick," said Kaimuki's Stephen Lee, the state coach of the year. "By the time the guy gets the ball in his hands we were chasing him already and he's a great finisher."

Iolani junior Bobby Nash complemented Mr. Basketball Derrick Low with inside and perimeter scoring to help lead the Raiders to the state championship.

The tireless play of Kaimuki junior forward Daniel Tautofi might have been overlooked for much of the season, but he made everyone take notice in the state tournament by recording three double-doubles.

And if not for Low's heroics, Kalaheo forward Ikaika Alama-Francis might have claimed the Mr. Basketball honor.

Alama-Francis and guard D.C. Daniels closed four-year varsity careers with yet another Oahu Interscholastic Association championship and nearly carried the Mustangs to a second consecutive state title.

The duo ended their prep careers by averaging a combined 41.3 points and 14.6 rebounds per game in the state tournament.

"They took control when they needed to get the job done," Lee said.


BACK TO TOP

|

ALL-STATE TEAMS

Player of the Year
Derrick Low, sophomore, Iolani

Coach of the Year
Stephen Lee, Kaimuki

First team

Name Pos. Ht. Class School

Ikaika Alama-Francis F 6-6 Sr. Kalaheo

Rashaun Broadus G 5-10 Sr. Mililani

D.C. Daniels G 6-1 Sr. Kalaheo

Daniel Tautofi F/C 6-1 Jr. Kaimuki

Bobby Nash F 6-5 Jr. Iolani

Second team

Jason Rivers G 6-1 Jr. St. Louis

Cheyne Dela Garza G 5-10 Sr. Lahainaluna

Branden Kawazoe G 5-10 Sr. Waiakea

Bobby Webster G 6-2 Sr. Iolani

William Melemai C 6-5 Jr. Kamehameha

Third team

Joel Botelho G 5-9 Sr. Castle

Jesse Wong G 5-9 Sr. Kaimuki

Lamont Williams G 6-2 Sr. Aiea

Dane Uperesa F 6-5 Sr. Punahou

Tyler McCready F 6-6 Sr. Iolani

Honorable mention

Iolani: Jon Grobe; Damien: Ranson DeCosta; Kealakehe: Ely Sather; Hilo: Christian Basilio; Lahainaluna: Maafu Finau; Baldwin: Brandon Ahonima. Waimea: Jordon Dizon. Mililani: Kaipo Patoc, Trey Brown; Punahou: Kynan Pang; Castle: Po'okela Craig-Rodenhurst; Mid-Pacific: Chris Hoe.



LEAGUE ALL-STARS

BIIF

Player of the Year
Branden Kawazoe, Waiakea

Coach of the Year
Brian Suezaki, Konawaena

First team
Branden Kawazoe, 5-11, Sr., Waiakea; Mark Kawaha, 5-6, Sr., Hilo; Christian Basilio, 6-5, Sr., Hilo; Ely Sather, 6-7, Sr., Kealakehe; Charles Huihui, 6-2, Sr., Waiakea.

Second team
Bulla DeSilva, 6-0, Sr., Konaawaena; Luciano Solano, 6-5, Sr., St. Joseph; Levi Bartholomew, 6-2, Jr., Waiakea; Christopher Harkins, 6-7, Sr., Konawaena; Kiwini Viernes, 5-11, Sr., Kohala.

Honorable mention
Waiakea
-- Abe Costa, Jomo Young, Chase Sakamoto; Kealakehe -- Travis Akuna, Kyle Teves, Marcus Weems; Konawaena -- Eric Rabara, Joshua Allen; Hilo -- Davin Feary, Reyn Shimooka; Honokaa -- Kenny Ruiz, Brandt Loo, Keola Nobriga; St. Joseph -- Jason Agliam, Che Doran, Leandro Solano; Keaau -- Sunny Amisone, Aukai Wong; Pahoa -- Ashley McGuire, Bronson Ganir; HPA -- Bully Fergerstrom; Ka'u -- Rashad Kaupu; Laupahoehoe -- Kea Jardine.



ILH

Division I

Player of the Year
Derrick Low, So., 6-0, Iolani.

Coach of the Year
Mark Mugiishi, Iolani

First team
William Melemai, Jr., 6-5, Kamehameha; Bobby Nash, Jr. 6-6, Iolani; Jason Rivers, Jr., 6-1, St. Louis; Dane Uperesa, Sr., 6-5, Punahou; Bobby Webster, Sr., 6-2, Iolani.

Second team
Ranson DeCosta, So., 5-9, Damien; Alex Fergus, Sr., 6-0, Punahou; Jon Grobe, Sr., 6-4, Iolani; Chris Hoe, Sr., 5-4, Mid-Pacific; Kynan Pang, Sr., 5-11, Punahou.

Honorable mention
Damien
-- Brandon Kahale, Bill Puttmann. Iolani -- Tyler McCready, Joe Udell. Kamehameha -- Aaron Kahaloa, Matthew Perkins, Eric Shaver, Caleb Spencer, Sean Uyehara. Maryknoll -- Kevin Lee, Westin Lee, Sean Ortiz, Pat Torres. Mid-Pacific -- Chris Freshour, Ryan Leong, Brandyn McCall, Chris Perry, Travis Tyler. Punahou -- Jason Ching, John Freese, Todd LaFountaine. St. Louis -- Wilson Afoa, Jonah Lakatani, Timo Paepule, Robert Tappy, Jose Vidad.

Division II

Player of the Year
Ryan Kilborn, Iolani

Coach of the Year
Mark Lovelace, Kamehameha

First team
Alika Durington, Sr., 6-0, Lanakila Baptist; James Easley, Sr., 5-8, Kamehameha; Kainoa Fernandez, Sr., 5-7, St. Louis; Ryan Hee, Sr., 5-6, Hawaii Baptist; David Lehmann, Sr., 5-8, Lutheran.

Second team

Grandon Costa, Sr., 5-5, St. Louis; Kevin Lau, Sr., 5-6, Punahou; Bronson Melemai, Sr., 5-8, Iolani; Keanolani Noa, Sr., 5-7, Kamehameha; Noah Peterson, Sr., 6-0, Kamehameha.

Honorable mention
Academy of the Pacific
-- Ben Butler, Michael Tom. ASSETS -- Kevin Sunada. Hanalani -- Lito Alcantara. Hawaii Baptist -- David Bartosik, Jared Irei, Andrew Kurata, Rorey LaPuente, Will Stinton. Iolani -- Travis Augustin, Teo Bennett, Chris Hu, Donny Mateaki, Kawika Nakoa. Kamehameha -- Landon-Beau Lucrisia, Brandon Tom. Lanakila Baptist -- Alan Allosada, David Stewart. Lutheran -- Justin Lau, Peter Lee, Ikaika Sheldon, Kevin Young. University -- Tristan Child, Nick Clay, John Duro, Ric Kodama, Jeris Nakamasu.



KIF

Player of the Year
Jordon Dizon, Waimea

Coach of the Year
Matt Taba, Waimea

First team
Winnie Arios, Sr., Waimea; Garrett Danner, Sr., Kapaa; Jordon Dizon, So., Waimea; Lionel Tomacder, Sr., Kauai; Darwin Tutop, Sr., Waimea; Seth Yamamoto, Sr., Kapaa.



OIA East

Player of the Year
Ikaika Alama-Francis, Kalaheo

Coach of the Year
Stephen Lee, Kaimuki

First team
Ikaika Alama-Francis, Sr., 6-6, Kalaheo; D.C. Daniels, Sr., 6-3, Kalaheo; Daniel Tautofi, Jr., 6-2, Kaimuki; Andrew Gregerson, Sr., 6-5, Kaiser; Casey Gouveia, Sr., 5-9, Roosevelt.

Second team
Joel Botelho, Sr., 5-9, Castle; Jesse Wong, Sr., 5-9, Kaimuki; James Kammerer, Sr., 6-3, Kahuku; Po'okela Craig-Rodenhurst, Sr., 6-0, Castle; Curt Leong, Sr., 5-10, McKinley.

Honorable mention
Castle
-- Ikaika Bruhn, Ryen Isip, Mike Proctor, William Harvest, Charles Texeira; Farrington -- Jason Domingo, Sanford McKee, Chad Mock, Uriah Seui, Rodney Bebe; Kahuku -- Ferron Fonoimoana, Trumaine Oto, Inoke Funaki, Tyler Oto; Kailua -- Kealii Kalahiki, Samson Satele, Kekoa Sniffen, Kekoa LaCount, Taleki Mailau; Kaimuki -- Alex Lauriano, Jimmy Miyasaka, James Davis; Kalaheo -- Justin Pedrina, Michael Gayle, James Robertson, Sam Wilhoite, Michael Garcia, Charles Elliott; Kaiser -- Jason Peters, Audun Eskeland, Tyler Fujie, Ivan Sakata; Kalani -- Robert D'Amato; McKinley -- Dominic Souza-Larimore, William Crichton, Michael Uelese, Keith Hicks, Lincoln Okada, Robert Holdert; Moanalua -- Chris Beck, Aaron Fujino, Ric Fukushima, Chris Young, Jaimie Rego; Roosevelt -- Keola Stietzel, Anthony Holyfield, Andrew Choy, Ryan Keomaka.



OIA West

Player of the Year
Rashaun Broadus, Mililani

Coach of the Year
Michael Coito, Mililani

First team
Rashaun Broadus, Sr., 5-11, Mililani; Lamont Williams, Sr., 6-2, Aiea; Kula Tanuvasa, Sr., 6-1, Radford; Derek Thomas, Sr., 6-3, Leilehua; Maurice Daniels, Sr., 5-10, Waipahu.

Second team
Wes Williams, Sr., 6-0, Aiea; Trey Brown, Sr., 6-5, Mililani; Kaipo Patoc, Sr., 6-2, Mililani; Kapena Wong, Jr., 6-2, Pearl City; Michael Adams, Jr., 6-1, Pearl City.

Honorable mention
Aiea
-- Chris Antonio, Daniel Min, Anthony Johnson. Campbell -- Gentel Morris. Kapolei -- Warren Simanu, E.J. Aton, Kaipo Enhada, Roland Mason. Leilehua -- Jon Dolac, Demitrius Washington, Brandon Lowe, Zacharias Rivera, Andrew Talaeai. Mililani -- Gary Deliz, Simeon Tavares, Andrew Min, Brandyn Fidel. Nanakuli -- John Chandler, Kaleo Enos, Henry McShane, Rolando Celes, Alika Enos, Evared Romena, Jacob Kaava. Pearl City -- Marcus Felder, Royce Yuen. Radford -- James Johnson, Justin Rellin, Jeff O'Garro, Chris Williams. Waialua -- Jonathan Aceret, Daniel Jamora, Ikaika Soares, Po'okela Gasper, Aaron Agsaida. Waianae -- Preston Popa, Jacob Milare. Waipahu -- Branden Chung, Fritz Crichton, Rumel Mejia, Paulo Aga.

Hawaii School Web Sites



E-mail to Sports Editor

BACK TO TOP


Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]



© 2002 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
https://archives.starbulletin.com