Kahuku won’t sulk
about its draw

Coach Wendy Anae prepares
her team for all scenarios
at the state tourney

Wendy Anae is as consistent as they come when it comes to state championship-level coaches.

HHSAA Girls Basketball At Stan Sheriff Center Today » Kauai vs. Roosevelt, 2:30 p.m. » Baldwin vs. Kalaheo, 4:15 p.m. » Kaiser vs. Honoka'a, 6 p.m. » Iolani vs. Farrington, 8 p.m. Complete schedule

That's why a rough draw for the Hawaiian Airlines Girls State Basketball Championships did little, if anything, to alter her sails.

"At the state tournament, they're all good teams," the former Kahuku standout said. "We have to be ready for every team."

Her Lady Raiders, seeded third in the tourney, have a bye today before facing the Iolani-Farrington winner tomorrow. Iolani, runner-up from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, is nonetheless ranked No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10 -- one notch higher than Kahuku.

In addition, Farrington will have some confidence going into its matchup against Iolani, a team it defeated during nonconference play in March.

"Wendy's probably got the best attitude about that. I wish I had that attitude year to year," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said. "Unfortunately, when you've been in seven of the last eight girls tournaments, you see weird patterns happen."

Other sub-brackets aren't as lethal, perhaps. While Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kahuku faces Iolani or Farrington, OIA runner-up Kaiser faces Honokaa this afternoon, with the winner to take on Lahainaluna tomorrow. Between Kaiser, Honokaa and Lahainaluna, none is ranked higher than seventh in the Top 10.

Even Kalaheo, the OIA's fifth-place team, got the benefit of the doubt. After sharing first in the OIA East with Kahuku, Kalaheo drew Maui Interscholastic League runner-up Baldwin for today's opening round.

"The one glaring thing is there's a perception that Farrington has a tougher game than we do," Furtado said. "The average fan can look at that with Farrington as a 4 (seed from the OIA) and us as a 5. I think the committee looked at the whole season."

The Lady Mustangs and Bears are in the same bracket with Konawaena, the defending state champion.

"I was very pleased with that whole thing, but we cannot look past Baldwin. Last year, they put a whipping on Iolani by 20," Furtado said.

The difference is, Baldwin All-State guard Kami Kapaku has graduated, while Kalaheo All-State candidate Taylor Smith is healthy and thriving in her senior season.

Konawaena may not be as pleased after going unbeaten in the BIIF. The Wildcats' only loss in 22 games has been to top-seeded Punahou. In the Wildcats' eyes, the potential prospect of facing Kalaheo is more daunting than, perhaps, Iolani. Konawaena downed Iolani in a nonconference game, though the Raiders have improved significantly since.

For Kalaheo, the state title is certainly within reach despite an upset loss to Roosevelt during the OIA playoffs.

"You play Konawaena. You play Kahuku. You pick your poison. It doesn't really matter much," Furtado said. "Kona is a defending state champ with three starters back, but I'd always rather play a team I never played before (this season)."

Konawaena features four-year starter and All-State candidate Jessica Hanato, forward Jazzmin Awa-Wiliams, and guards Hina Kimitete and Haunani Liftee.

By all accounts, Punahou received the smoothest path to the finals. As the No. 1 seed -- the Buffanblu were also ranked No. 1 for 11 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 -- Punahou faces the Kauai-Roosevelt winner tomorrow. After that, either Lahainaluna, Kaiser or Honokaa awaits in the semifinals.

Punahou is led by senior guard Shanna-Lei Dacanay and freshman center Shawna-Lei Kuehu, arguably the most dominant post player in the state.

Lahainaluna, the MIL champion, gets a bye today. The Lady Lunas edged Kaiser by a point during a nonconference game in March.

"We've played Kaiser before, but Honokaa's tough, too," Lady Lunas coach Todd Rickard said. "If we play Kaiser, we won't do anything different. We just play our 2-3 matchup zone and fullcourt press from beginning to end. Hopefully, we can create some turnovers since we're small. (Kaiser forward Sharde) Pratt can dominate a game."

Rickard holds Kahuku in the same esteem as Punahou.

"Kahuku's just big. I don't think they have anything like the previous years, but they still have something other teams don't have, which is size from the point guard to the center," he said. "For us to reach that point, to meet Punahou, I'll be happy, to tell you the truth. We don't have the luxury of looking ahead. We have to take it one game at a time."

Lahainaluna gained momentum early during the Lady Tiger Challenge with wins over Kamehameha and Kaiser. The Lady Lunas, ranked ninth, went 8-0 in MIL play.

"We're anxious. We haven't played in two weeks. Whether it's Honokaa or Kaiser, we'll be ready," Rickard said. "I'm ready. Our girls are ready."