At full strength, the Kamehameha Warriors are a dominant team in boys basketball, knocking out teams from Arizona to Beijing.

Without their best scorer and rebounder? The Warriors are gritty, but not dominant.

That was the case this week, when Micah Christenson left for a mainland volleyball tournament. Kamehameha had to dig deep in comeback wins over Waiakea and St. Joseph before losing to 'Iolani in the final of Moanalua's Na Menehune Holiday Classic.

Despite the loss — and partly because 'Iolani already has five defeats as a result of missing starters — defending state champ Kamehameha has the No. 1 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Preseason Top 10.

“;We've got a long way to go, a lot of new pieces we're trying to fit together,”; coach Jesse Nakanishi said. “;Our football situation and we had too many (preseason) games. We're way behind where we need to be.”;

On paper: The Warriors went 10-2 in nonconference play, including a loss to the nation's No. 1 team, Yates (Houston).

At 6-foot-5 with a vertical leap that is 3 to 4 inches higher this year, Christenson is more than just a shotblocking, rebounding machine. He is one of the state's top long-range shooters.

Without him in the lineup, Kamehameha found more clutch offense from guards Shane Matayoshi and Dyrbe Enos. With senior Chaz Bajet as a premier defensive stopper, the one difference from last year's squad is the lack of size under the boards.

Last season's 22-3 squad closed with 12 straight wins. Their post players, including Auwae DeRego and Blake Viena, provided the depth to help Kamehameha get past Kaimuki in a triple-overtime state semifinal. That front line also managed to counter Kahuku's gigantic lineup in a 47-45 title game win.

The skinny: Without the same size underneath, Nakanishi is employing high-pressure defense. Since the loss to Yates, the Warriors have allowed just 45.1 points per game.

Nakanishi showed more than ever last season his willingness to mix up defenses. The Warriors had height, but used a 2-3 zone often to stifle teams that lacked shooters, and the same has been true this season.

X factor: After running their streak of wins over local teams to 22 games (going back to last season), the loss to 'Iolani on Wednesday showed how vulnerable Kamehameha can be.

Still, Christenson had his share of off nights, and Kamehameha still found enough offense.

Defenses will adjust, particularly in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play, to Kamehameha's long-range attack. Who will step up as a consistent playmaker off the dribble?