They wear red and hoop it up with the best of them.

They're not Kahuku or 'Iolani. The Lady Lunas of Lahainaluna won the First Hawaiian Bank Lady Na Menehune Preseason Peek Tournament on Saturday with decisive play in the low post and on the perimeter.

Lahainaluna point guard Maiki Viela was superlative in the final against Kamehameha with 14 points, five assists and four blocks. The sophomore had only two turnovers. Center Milika Taufa had 16 points and nine boards, and swingman Rachael Rickard had 21 points and seven caroms in the Lunas' 56-43 win.

“;This year, we're more prepared. We're a year older and we kind of know what to expect,”; Viela said.

Kamehameha, with 18 points from Pualei Furtado and 10 by Lindsey Wong, stayed close until the third quarter.

Lahainaluna (3-0) edged Mid-Pacific, another talented squad, in the semifinals, 55-50.

“;We know they're some of the top teams in the ILH, so we know where we stand,”; said Viela, a niece of former UH baseball player Jon Viela. “;We still have a lot of things to work on: defense, the press, free throws and fouls. Not reaching.”;

Coach Todd Rickard knows this is the best blend of talent he's had.

“;We've had people better in certain positions, but putting a mix of players together at all our positions, we're deep,”; he said. “;We're not going to make anything big out of this. We're just moving in the right direction.”;

Classic run by Punahou

Defending state champion Punahou nearly pulled off an upset of the nation's top-ranked team, Sacred Heart Cathedral (Calif.) at the 'Iolani Classic. The Buffanblu, behind Janelle Nomura's 27 points, then nearly knocked off Westlake (Ga.) in a 51-48 defeat.

Punahou's swarming man-to-man defense, the DNA of Mike Taylor's teams, and the intensity level have no decline when he subs five new players into a game.

Konawaena (6-2) is another team to watch for, especially with senior Kara Hanato-Smith, and fab freshmen Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa.

“;It was great, great competition,”; Wildcats coach Bobbie Awa said. “;The girls didn't come out strong against Oregon City. Against Punahou, offensively they were strong, but defensively they struggled.”;

The Wildcats will have more tests at Lahainaluna's tournament this week, including games against Marist (Ga.) and Lahainaluna.

Farrington was another strong player in the Classic. After catching plenty of attention with a win over Kamehameha and a close loss to Punahou nearly two weeks ago, the Governors have continued to rise.

Koehler going to Texas

He isn't in high school just yet, but Reeve Koehler is on his way to the Lone Star State.

Koehler, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound lineman, will suit up in the inaugural Youth All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The game will be played on Jan. 4 one day after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Koehler, an eighth-grader, is nothing short of a phenom. He already has a scholarship offer from Hawaii though he has never played a down of organized tackle football. Because of his size, he's too heavy for Pop Warner, so he's played flag football and a lot of club basketball.

Putting on the helmet and pads in an all-star game could be a surreal experience.

“;I'm excited to play against kids my level and my age,”; he said yesterday. “;Kids like Ray Lewis' son are going to play.”;

Koehler won't go into the game as a total novice. He's trained at Brian Derby's offensive line clinic and Dave Crozier's Speed and Quickness clinic.

His older brother, Solomon, was an All-State lineman at Castle and later played in the U.S. Army bowl game. Solomon is now at Arizona, but he stays in touch.

“;When they announced I was in the game, he sent me a text saying, 'Welcome to the All-American Club,' “; Reeve said.