High school basketball in October?

Girls volleyball in July?

The entire sports schedule is slated to change in the upcoming 2009-10 academic year, according to plans set by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association yesterday. Though the changes are not set in stone yet—each of the five leagues will take the adjusted calendar of start dates and state tournaments back to their administrators—there will likely be little resistance.

With graduation dates moving up as much as two weeks in May and June of next year, HHSAA chief Keith Amemiya and the executive directors of the leagues are taking preemptive action. That means fall sports—air riflery, bowling, cross country, cheerleading, girls volleyball and football could begin tryouts and practices on July 12.

In addition, the girls basketball season would begin on Oct. 18. Boys basketball would start Nov. 1 in the new plan.

“;I think (Konawaena girls basketball coach) Bobbie (Awa) will like it,”; Wildcats athletic director and interim Big Island Interscholastic Federation executive director Lyle Crozier said. “;They'll have the gym to themselves (for two weeks).”;

Any change that alleviates the demand for gym time would probably be good news, Maui Interscholastic League president Randy Yamanuha said.

“;That's one of the headaches, scheduling the gym times,”; he said.

This would also create a two-week gap between the girls and boys basketball tournaments.

The plan, drawn up by Oahu Interscholastic Association officials, also reduces overlap of seasons.

Not all leagues, however, have automatically embraced the plan.

“;The concern was the overlap of summer school and fall,”; Interscholastic League of Honolulu executive director Don Botelho said. “;Independent (private) schools have different calendars.”;

ILH official Blane Gaison noted that summer-school sessions at private schools would overlap.

“;Summer school runs into late July. Facilities might be an issue,”; Gaison said.

Upon approval, it would be a second, if minor, change for girls basketball, which was a spring sport in Hawaii high school basketball until two years ago.

Getting technical

The OIA announced the acceptance of a new member, Hawaii Technology Academy. The virtual school has sites on different islands, but is based out of Waipahu. The school hasn't officially entered a team sport yet.

Giving back

The OIA will accept canned goods in lieu of money for admission to the boys volleyball championship match on May 9 at McKinley Student Council Gym. The community service project will benefit the Hawaii FoodBank.

Canned goods will also be accepted at water polo matches.