DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Derrick Low and Bobby Nash showed their joy after wrapping up Iolani's second straight state title.
Coach Mark Mugiishi found out just how reliable his state champion Iolani basketball players were on their preseason trip to the East Coast. Iolani feels mighty Low
after wrapping up titleBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com"We were at Times Square for New Year's Eve, and what a spectacular place to be," Mugiishi said. "I told them to make sure they stayed with a group of at least three and I gave them a 3 a.m. curfew. But they all came back at 1. It was too much for them. I'm an old guy and they beat me back."
The Raiders are more comfortable in front of a crowd than in the middle of what Mugiishi called a "mosh pit." They showed 4,741 at the Blaisdell Arena on Saturday night just how comfortable they were by putting on a well-orchestrated display of basketball in their 61-37 state final victory over Saint Louis.
Yesterday, Mugiishi dissected Iolani's fine performance.
"We executed very, very well," he said. "We tried to do two things on offense -- an effective transition game with a great point guard (Derrick Low) who can run a fast break. When that wasn't working we tried to go with a variety of different motion offenses, and the kids were disciplined to hit the shots when they got them.
"On the defensive side, we tried to make sure we had pressure on every shot at all times. To do that, you give up rebounding. But we didn't think we were going to win that war, we just wanted to at least compete. Saint Louis missed a lot of put-backs and we finally competed."
Without a doubt, Low's presence on the court was a main thrust in Iolani's winning formula. He dishes, he steals, he shoots and he controls the tempo.
More importantly, the 6-foot-1 junior, who has already heard from many Division I colleges, also uses his cranium to consistently make the right decisions.
He doesn't get rattled, preferring to remain calm before, during and after games.
"The whole week during the day, I was playing pool at my friend (starting guard) Ryan Hirata's house," Low said. "It helped keep my mind off the game and not worry about it. Ryan has a really nice pool table and so we relaxed in a real comfortable atmosphere. We ate and watched TV together. Then, when it came to game time, we came out with full force."
Animated TV shows are a source of relief from the pregame pressure for Low.
"Especially when a good cartoon like Scooby-Doo or something like that comes on," he said.
Bobby Nash, a 6-7 senior, put on a show in the finale against Saint Louis with 10 third-quarter points, including a high-flying dunk. The next time the state's fans see him play competitively it will be in a University of Hawaii uniform, where his dad is the associate head coach.
Nash was a large part of why Iolani's 2003 squad will be remembered as one of the state's all-time best basketball teams.
"This bunch of players has a genuine affection for each other and our school," Mugiishi said. "They are a genuine credit to their parents and the state."
Other teams made their presence felt at the tournament, including semifinalists Saint Louis, Kamehameha and Maui, and consolation champion Waimea.
The Crusaders, led by the overall athletic gifts of Jason Rivers, the rebounding of Desmond Hanohano, the finishing ability of Timo Paepule and the ballhandling of Jonah Lakatani, fought off Big Island champ Keaau, determined Kaimuki and powerful Maui before tiring out against Iolani.
The Warriors lived up to their dark-horse status by coming back to knock off Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kalaheo and then pushing Iolani in the semifinals.
Caleb Spencer's undying effort and Aaron Kahaloa's clutch 3-point shooting were major parts of Kamehameha's impressive tournament performance.
The Sabers showcased their high-powered front line of the Finau brothers -- Maafu and Tevita -- and Gene Rivera, while 5-6 guard Efren Oasay dazzled fans and opponents with his keen ballhandling, passing and driving skills.
The Kauai champion Menehunes, led by the inside work of Jordon Dizon and Desmond Rodrigues, played Leilehua close in the first half of a first-round game before breaking down. But they came back to defeat Kaimuki and Waiakea for the consolation championship.
"Both Saint Louis and Kamehameha did themselves proud," Mugiishi said. "They elevated their play and peaked at the right time at the end of the season.
"I was very impressed with the athletes of Maui. They were nervous against Saint Louis, but came from behind to beat Kamehameha for third place. And Waimea had a couple of really good players and ran a nice offense with an emphasis on taking high-percentage shots."
Kalaheo's 6-7 junior center Sam Wilhoite and gutsy guard Zane Cabral showed why the OIA champion Mustangs will be tough to beat again next year.
Wilhoite made the all-tournament team along with Low, Nash, Rivers, Maafu Finau and Waiakea's Levi Bartholomew.
A handful of dunks -- by Nash, Spencer and Saint Louis' Desmond Hanohano -- got big ovations, but no dunk got a bigger response than Low's jam late in the semifinals against Kamehameha. The play shocked everyone, including Low's teammates and coach, because it came unexpectedly out of a slow-down offense. It also put his teammates in disarray, allowing the Warriors to climb back and forcing Mugiishi to call time out to settle his players.
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