Nearly three decades have passed, but Kelly Grant doesn't forget his past.

The Kaimuki boys basketball coach, who grew up playing basketball and football at the Boys Club of Honolulu (now known as Boys and Girls Club), continues to enjoy solid guard play from that pipeline of hoopsters.

Eight current Bulldogs hail from one of the most successful feeder programs in the state. Kaimuki won a state championship under Grant's watch despite having one of the Oahu Interscholastic Association's smaller enrollment totals.

“;They play well. The guys from Boys Club who've played for me are knowledgeable about the game,”; said Grant, who later went from Washington Intermediate to Maryknoll, recruited by then-coach Tony Sellitto. The McCully area was a battleground for Interscholastic League of Honolulu programs back then. Today, talent is mostly funneled to the district high school - Kaimuki.

Rich in ballhandlers and perimeter shooters, Kaimuki also has enough size underneath to be serious contenders in the OIA. Coaches and media voted Kaimuki (5-2) to a No. 6 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Preseason Top 10.

On paper: Last season, the 'Dogs struggled to a 4-9 mark (9-18 overall), not long after winning the state crown in the 2006-07 season.

“;There are no similarities to last year's team, that's for sure,”; Grant said.

Guards David Taulung and Ryan Kakitani are seasoned sharpshooters. Kakitani shot extremely well during the 'Iolani Classic.

The primary force in the paint is 6-foot-3, 270-pound Desmond Tautofi, younger brother of former standouts Darrell, Darren and Daniel Tautofi. The youngest Tautofi may be the most naturally talented, with quick hands and good footwork.

The Bulldogs also have 6-2 senior Kelly Tobin, a physical defender and rebounder, and 6-foot transfer Trendt “;Tonka”; Marsom.

Marsom played football for Kaimuki after moving from Mililani and could provide a boost to the hoops team. He's averaging seven rebounds in 15 minutes per game.

The modified preseason - teams had a later starting date this year due to a Hawaii High School Athletic Association mandate - is cutting into practice and preparation for all teams. Still, sophomore Tevin Nishiyama provided a wow factor for Grant.

“;He's been surprising. Shooting well, making good decisions and playing good defense,”; Grant said.

The skinny: Kaimuki is versatile, able to run or slow the tempo, and Grant encourages his gunners to shoot. The Bulldogs have made as many as 10 treys in one game so far, and four players are shooting at a 50-percent clip or higher from behind the arc.

“;We have tons of guys who can shoot. As long as they're open in the context of the offense, they can shoot all the 3s they want,”; Grant said.

X factor: Marsom missed practices due to the HUB Goodwill Senior Bowl football game, and will miss more time because of the Samoa Bowl.

Jason Nutter, a transfer from Roosevelt, could give the Bulldogs more options when he returns in late January.

“;My strength in the past has been being able to do a lot of adjustments, not being stuck on certain styles,”; Grant said. “;But with such little time, I'm afraid to make changes.”;