Warriors gain Even though it placed third in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys soccer standings, Kamehameha (9-4-1) earned the league's second berth to the upcoming state tournament.
state berth
By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comThe Warriors qualified because second-place Pac-Five (10-1-3) is ineligible for the states. The Wolfpack don't have the required 11 players from one school and that's because they draw players from numerous small schools.
At least one passionate Pac-Five parent has commented on what she perceives as an unfair rule.
"They are being penalized for something I feel is a political adult issue," the parent wrote in an e-mail to the Star-Bulletin.
According to University High School athletic director Jim Bukes, who is also an ILH soccer coordinator, the issue has come up at past Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association meetings, but didn't gain enough support for a rule change.
"This situation (Pac-Five finishing second) could add fuel to the fire," Bukes said. "There is some support in the ILH for changing the rule, not only for soccer, but all sports. But we in the ILH abide by whatever rules are made by HIADA and implemented by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association."
Bukes clearly sees both sides of the issue.
"One side wants it to be equitable and doesn't want two or more schools combining to create an unfair advantage at the state tournament. The other side wants to give opportunities to participate in a state tournament for all kids."
The ILH gets two berths in the boys state tournament this year. League champion Punahou (12-0-2) qualified last week.
Unlike in some past years, there won't be a play-in game against the Maui Interscholastic League champion. That's because the ILH has more eligible boys teams (7) than the MIL (6).
The boys state tournament, which is run by the HHSAA, is Feb. 12-15 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
The HHSAA's girls state tournament is Feb. 19-22 on Maui. The MIL has more girls teams (7) than the ILH (5) and gets two berths to the ILH's one.
Hawaii School Web Sites
