[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]
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Mr. Basketball 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.
Iolani's Derrick Low reaches a
new height as the Star-Bulletin's
Player of the YearWinning matters in making team
ALL-STATE TEAMSBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comHis 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."
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When Hawaii's basketball teams were spun through the centrifuge of the high school season, a few separated themselves as the state's elite. Winning matters in making team
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAll 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.
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Player of the Year ALL-STATE TEAMS
Derrick Low, sophomore, IolaniCoach 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, WaiakeaCoach of the Year
Brian Suezaki, KonawaenaFirst 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, IolaniFirst 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, IolaniCoach of the Year
Mark Lovelace, KamehamehaFirst 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.
Player of the Year KIF
Jordon Dizon, WaimeaCoach of the Year
Matt Taba, WaimeaFirst 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.
Player of the Year OIA East
Ikaika Alama-Francis, KalaheoCoach of the Year
Stephen Lee, KaimukiFirst 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.
Player of the Year OIA West
Rashaun Broadus, MililaniCoach of the Year
Michael Coito, MililaniFirst 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.
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