HHSAA raises
ticket prices,
citing increased costs

Some fans have mumbled and grumbled about the increase in admission to the Hawaiian Airlines Boys State Basketball Championship, which tips off this afternoon at Blaisdell Arena.

"It's not something we like to do," Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya said. "Everybody has been forced to increase their prices, from movies to the pro leagues and even the University of Hawaii. Based on the number of games per day, we feel the price increase is warranted."

At $9 per adult, the price may seem steep on the surface. However, the ticket covers all four opening-round games, which breaks down to $2.25 per contest.

Tomorrow, the breakdown is even better.

With six games slated, the admission cost breaks down to $1.50 per game.

"We have to keep up with the increased costs of various facilities, Amemiya said.

"We've been forced to raise the price for many of our state tournaments, not just basketball."

Increased prices at the football state championships were relatively unnoticed.

While fans of Major League Baseball are lucky to get one doubleheader in a season these days, high school hoop junkies can get a marathon of games for a price that's similar to a movie ticket.

Will fans buy in at the increased price? Probably. The opening rounds are usually the territory of participating teams, with alumnae filling seats.

One plus in recent years is a change from satellite sites to a single location. Instead of two sites with games played simultaneously, all four opening-round games are played at Blaisdell, another boon for roundball fans.

The neighbor island leagues, Amemiya added, were supportive of the price increases.

"If their fans are going to take time off to come to the state tournament, they want to see their teams play in the best venue possible, as opposed to saving two dollars and watching the game in a high school gym," he said.

Friday's semifinal games, and Saturday's third-place and championship games, will be televised live on OC-16.

Alternatives to daily admission prices have been tried before. The HHSAA made four-day family passes available in the past, but the results were mixed.

"The family pass is good for people who want to go to games on all four days. But if their team loses after two days, a lot of them don't come back," Amemiya said.

Playing at the Blaisdell, or Stan Sheriff Arena, when it is available, is a must, Amemiya added.

"We feel every team should get the best experience at the best available venue. We still feel this is one of the best entertainment values around," Amemiya said.

Time for a Molokai slide

The Molokai Farmers are part of an eight-team field at the 18th annual Joey DeSa Memorial Baseball Tournament, which begins tomorrow.

Damien meets Molokai in the first game at Joey DeSa Field. Elsewhere, Kailua hosts Kamehameha, Mid-Pacific entertains Roosevelt, and Waianae visits Moanalua.

All games begin at 3:30 p.m.

First in 37 years

Kahuku has always been a playoff presence in Oahu Interscholastic Association basketball. Through the 1970s, '80s and '90s, the Red Raiders have sent standout players and teams to the state tournament.

However, when Kahuku held on to beat Campbell 48-43 last Friday for the OIA championship, it was more than notable. Kahuku, which has four OIA basketball crowns, had not won a title since 1968, when Junior Ah You was a formidable presence both on the hardwood and the gridiron.

Campbell's defeat could be nothing more than a speed bump. The Sabers have the biggest lineup in the state, and their guard play has improved over the past month.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Campbell coach Sol Batoon said. "Kahuku came out and played a good game. We fell asleep offensively and fell behind."

Raiders and Red Raiders

The top two seeded teams in the basketball state tournament, Iolani and Kahuku, are forever linked by a generous act.

Kahuku went by the nickname "Ramblers" in the 1940s and "Red and White" before that.

Kahuku, however, became the Red Raiders after receiving uniforms from Iolani during the '50s.

Iolani eventually shortened its nickname to Raiders, but Kahuku has been the Red Raiders for a half-century.

Athletes of the week

BOYS

T.J. Akina, Konawaena basketball: Scored 32 points to lead the Wildcats over Waiakea for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship.

GIRLS

Kelsey Baker, Punahou soccer: The senior anchored a Buffanblu defense that shut out three foes en route to the state championship.

Honor roll

BASKETBALL

Jacob Barit, Saint Louis: Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha during the ILH tournament.
Ryan Hayes, Campbell: Scored 19 points in an OIA quarterfinal win over Kalaheo.
Ikaika Hardie, Kamehameha: Scored 14 points against Maryknoll and 18 against Saint Louis as the Warriors qualified for the state tournament.
Jacob Ho, Kamehameha: Scored 15 points against Maryknoll and 17 against Saint Louis.
David Johnson, University: Scored 16 points in an ILH tournament loss to Damien.
Chris Lum, Maryknoll: Had 12 points and 16 rebounds in a loss at Kamehameha.
Jack Miller, Saint Louis: Scored 15 points against Damien and 14 against Kamehameha during the ILH tournament.
David Moore, Kalaheo: Scored 18 points in an OIA semifinal loss to Campbell.
Clinton Parks, Kahuku: Scored 20 points in an OIA semifinal win over Kaimuki.
Tyler Tsukazaki, Maryknoll: Scored 29 points in a loss at Kamehameha.

SOCCER

Liz Carlson, Punahou: Scored the only goal in a state tournament semifinal win over Mililani.
Amanda Fukushima, Moanalua: The senior goalkeeper had five first-half saves as Moanalua upset Baldwin 1-0 in the state tournament quarterfinals. She added 10 saves in a 2-0 upset of Aiea in the semifinals.
Marissa Minor, Konawaena: The goalkeeper recorded eight saves in a state tournament quarterfinal loss to Aiea.
Alyssa Moniz, Moanalua: Scored the lone goal as the Menehunes edged Baldwin.
Shareyn Muneoka, Aiea: The goalkeeper had five saves in a scoreless tie against Mililani in the state tournament's third-place game.
Ashley Nakamoto, Mililani: The goalkeeper had three saves in a 0-0 tie against Mililani.

PADDLING

Anuenue girls: Won the OIA East championship. Members are Kau'i Martinez, Pu'uwai Crawford-Kapanui, Waianuhea Lyau, Kawailani Soma, Poindole Perry and Kalau Martinez.
Castle boys: Won the OIA East title. Members are Kaimi Dudoit IV, Jared Duran, Levi Garcia, Alika Abordo, Kapili Kalahiki-Anthony and Kevin Snodgrass.
Castle mixed: Won the OIA East crown. Crew members are Jayna Kapono, Kaimi Dudoit IV, Kevin Snodgrass, Kawena Kawanui, Melissa Matsuda and Alika Abordo.
Kamehameha boys: Won last week's ILH meet. Members are Jonathan Pestana, William Viveiros, Drew Ueno, Joshua Quinn, Shawn Butler and Jordan Wong.
Kamehameha girls: Won last week's ILH meet. Members are Alyssa Pacarro, Makana Bruhn, Kehau Meyer, Chelsea Saifoloi, Cady Ueoka and Pua Reis-Moniz.
Kapolei mixed: Captured the OIA West title. The crew is comprised of Kayelani Newman, Radford Raguedan, Chanti Perry, Kalehua Broad, Nakana Fletcher and Keith Lenchanko.
Leilehua boys: Won the OIA West championship. Members are Kevin Young, John Van Dyke, Kea Demmello, Koa Matu'u, Michael Witt and John Mack.
Pearl City girls: Won the OIA West crown. Members are Kona Acasio, Melody McDowell, Kavatahi Pulini, Anika Borden, Karen Haanio and Erin Johansen.

To nominate ...

To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com

HHSAA raises ticket prices, citing increased costs