Two tournaments and one trip to Oahu have given Lane Guzman plenty of data to work with.

Guzman, 33, played basketball at Honokaa before entering the coaching field. The history and pride of the program go back a long way, well before Keisha Kanekoa scored 35 points in a state-tourney win, and even back before Kahea Schuckert was the Big Island's all-time leading scorer.

That's why, when the Dragons won two of their three games at the Lee Cashman Classic and all three of their contests in the Wahine Warrior Classic, Guzman wasn't surprised.

He is surprised, though, that Honokaa was voted No. 10 by coaches and media in the Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball Preseason Top 10.

On paper: Honokaa (5-1) already had wins over Punahou II and Kalaheo before pulling off victories over Hilo and Kamehameha-Hawaii. Hilo, even without Vicky Tagalicod, had routed defending BIIF champion Waiakea the night before. KS-Hawaii is loaded and one of the contenders for the Division II state title.

Kaylene Kanekoa, April Cano and Maku Torres are the lead trio in Honokaa hoops this season. Torres, at 5-foot-4, scored 21 points against Hilo, defying taller centers.

As a team, the Dragons shot 10-for-12 in the final quarter against KS-Hawaii.

“;It's only preseason. I expect every team to get better,”; Guzman said.

The Dragons were 10-12 last year—6-5 in BIIF play—in his first season as head coach.

The skinny: Guzman knew his team would lack size and overall experience, but came into the season with a good feeling.

“;We're smaller, but we like to run more. We don't have the big girls like Jamaika (Lorenzo) or Wila (Lavea),”; he said.

Their athleticism will be key. The Dragons still use a tough man-to-man instilled by former coach Daphne Honma.

“;We've got a few wrinkles. We'll do some trapping,”; Guzman said.

Kanekoa is 5-4, but usually guards opposing centers.

“;Our team is unselfish. Kaylene is a prime example,”; Guzman said.

That toughness and quickness are right up Guzman's wheelhouse.

“;This is a fun team to coach. They're really coachable,”; he said. “;We can adapt to other teams.”;

X factor: Guzman is on the lookout for complacency.

“;I don't want us winning the tournament to be the highlight of our season. (The ranking) is good. People will come out and support us,”; he said. “;It's good to be recognized, but it's not what we're trying to do.”;

Honokaa gets another shot against Mid-Pacific, which is currently on a Big Island tour, tomorrow. The Owls gave the Dragons their only loss two weeks ago.