[ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ]
Three regular-season losses mean nothing now, because this is the Kalaheo Mustangs we're talking about. Smith’s Mustangs
always toughBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comUnder coach Pete Smith in the last 12 years, the Mustangs have won 10 Oahu Interscholastic Association basketball championships with eight state tournament appearances and two state titles.
There's no doubt Smith knows how to get his boys to the promised land, so this year's losses to Castle, Kaimuki and Moanalua aren't dragging down the Mustangs.
"We didn't play in the regular season as well as we would have liked," Smith said about his young team. "But we've been playing better and I feel good about that."
Kalaheo (9-3) has a rematch with Kaimuki (10-1) in the OIA semifinals tomorrow night at 6:30.
"Our center, Sam Wilhoite (6-foot-7), is playing better and we're getting more offense from our point guard, Zane Cabral," Smith said. "Early in the season, we weren't working to get our shots and now we are. We're not settling for 3-pointers like we were."
The Mustangs beat Kapolei and previously undefeated Radford in the first two rounds of the tournament last week, but Smith knows the team has its hands full with the Bulldogs.
"Beating Kaimuki at Kaimuki is a tough feat," he said. "We're outsized at every position except for at center with Sam. They're bigger and more physical, so we'll need to use our quickness."
Kaimuki's main horse is Daniel Tautofi, who scored 37 points and dominated the boards in a four-overtime victory against Moanalua last week.
"I think the team is a little more relaxed after that win," Bulldogs coach Stephen Lee said. "The pressure is off as far as making the states, and we're fairly confident because we beat Kalaheo the first time. It's just a matter of coming out and being ready to play."
The Bulldogs won the teams' first encounter 52-42 on Jan. 22.
"Kalaheo didn't shoot as well as they could have shot in that game," Lee said. "This time, if they hit their outside shots or if Sam is hitting from the inside, it's going to be tough. But I think we can give them a game."
Forward Nick Milan has also been a force inside for the Bulldogs, who look to Jimmy Miyasaka for jumpers.
"Nick has been real noticeable, real steady and has done a great job for us at forward," Lee said. "Jimmy hit some big 3s for us against Moanalua, but he's capable of doing a lot more damage. He's been on and off with his shot and we'll need for it to come back against Kalaheo."
The winner advances to the OIA final Friday at 7 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center arena.
Mililani at Leilehua: The Trojans (9-3) visit the Mules (10-1) in the OIA's other semifinal tomorrow night at 6:30.
Mililani, like Kalaheo, lost three regular-season games, but can't be taken lightly.
The inside game of center Simeon Tavares and the outside shooting and driving ability of guard Brandyn Fidel have guided the Trojans' engine thus far.
Andrew Talaeai gives Leilehua a strong inside-outside threat, and the athletic ability of point guard Demetrius Washington and small forward Zacarius Rivera have also been big factors in the Mules' success.
"We're ready," Leilehua coach Keith Spencer said. "Any time we play our rival, Mililani, it's going to be a thriller. The winner is going to be the team that executes on offense and defense and minimizes mistakes."
OIA basketball
tournamentTomorrow
Game 9: Mililani at Leilehua, 6:30 p.m.
Game 10: Kalaheo at Kaimuki, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21
At Neal Blaisdell Center
Third-place game
Game 12: Losers of Games 9 and 10, 5 p.m.
Championship game
Game 13: Winners of Games 9 and 10, 7 p.m.
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