Kristian Manuel and Christian Storment have thrived in playing the transition game.

Both Campbell seniors adapted to changes in scenery early in their high school careers and have dealt with near-annual changes in leadership for the Sabers' basketball program.

Along the way they've matured into senior leaders for a Campbell team chugging toward the OIA basketball playoffs while fitting their games into first-year coach Wyatt Tau's structured system after years of free-wheeling offense.

“;I think it's hard for them because since they've been in high school that's all they've been used to doing, now we're trying to get them to do something different,”; Tau said. “;It's challenging for them. ... I like the fact that they've been willing to change.”;

Manuel and Storment followed differing paths to meet up on the Sabers' varsity roster as sophomores. They've since formed a connection — whether through practices on campus or pickup games at Ah Sing Park — in which a mere nod or glance can convey all they need to know.

“;Sometimes me and him don't even talk the whole game,”; Storment said. “;We just look at each other and we know what each other's thinking.”;

Manuel has been bouncing a basketball around Ewa Beach since kindergarten, developing into a backcourt threat with his quickness off the dribble or launching shots from behind the arc. He began his high school career at Saint Louis, transferred to Campbell as a sophomore and was pulled up to the varsity in the middle of that season.

Storment, in contrast, didn't get serious about the game until his freshman year of high school, not long after moving to Hawaii from Stockton, Calif. Initially cut from the junior varsity, the 6-foot-3 forward was granted another chance and earned a starting spot with the varsity a year later.

Combined, they give the Sabers (16-7, 8-2 OIA Red West) an inside-outside threat instrumental in maintaining the Sabers' place among the contenders in their division despite yet another coaching change.

Where the Sabers ran with abandon under coach Zaricke Jackson, Tau is drilling a disciplined approach into this year's team after leading Aiea to OIA White titles in 2007 and '08.

“;Last year it was more individual stuff,”; said Manuel, a 5-foot-8 guard. “;Now we're all together. Now we know what they're doing and where they have to be.”;

Manuel, whose bother Zachery was among Campbell's top producers in last year's state tournament run, made eight 3-pointers in the Sabers' first two games of the regular season, including five in a win over Aiea.

Following a televised 79-70 loss to Mililani, opposing teams have put particular emphasis on shadowing Manuel.

“;Ever since then, people have been playing him man throughout the game,”; said Tau, a 1990 Campbell graduate. “;What he does is he's patient with it. You can look at him and certain games he's frustrated. The good thing about it is it opens up a lot of defenses.”;

Said Manuel: “;They all go at me and they're forgetting about (Storment) and he's doing his thing.”;

Storment, the youngest of six brothers, was admittedly raw when he tried out for the JV his freshman year. After a season on the bench, he made varsity where he was instructed to focus solely on defense and rebounding. That focus remained while he developed his offensive game as well, illustrated by an 18-point, 12-rebound performance against Kapolei last Friday.

With Manuel on the mainland due to a family emergency on Monday, Storment led the Sabers with 19 points and 15 rebounds as Campbell rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to pull out an overtime win over Aiea.

“;As soon as they cut me my freshman year, I was mad,”; Storment said. “;I just didn't know the game. I knew it from watching it on TV, but I didn't know the fundamentals. As soon as they brought me back, I just fell in love with the game trying to learn it. Each day I learned something and that's what keeps me playing.”;

Monday's win left Campbell a game behind Mililani entering Friday's game against Waipahu.

After placing fourth in the OIA Red playoffs last year and a two-and-out showing in the state tournament, the Sabers' seniors are shooting for a deeper run into the postseason next month.

Beyond that, both have set college as their primary goals. Less than 12 hours after last Friday's win, Manuel was back on campus to take his SAT. Storment also has a college future in his sights.

“;The rest of my family, none of them got into college so all the hope is on me,”; Storment said. “;So I'm just trying to stay focused to get into college.”;