By Paul Honda
Editor
Sunday, February 8, 2004

HONOLULU—Every season, in virtually every sport that HondaReport.com does Top Ten polls in, there comes a time of solemnity.

The tide quells. The atmosphere turns calm. Just before the storm—the storm of the playoffs. One of the teams making a ripple as the post-season arrives is Kaimuki.

The Bulldogs (16-6, 8-3 O’ahu Interscholastic Association East) posted a key win over Kalaheo two weeks ago. Last week, the ‘Dogs upended then-second-place Kahuku, 55-50, at the Red Raiders’ gym. That was enough to convince voters to push Kaimuki back into the Top Ten at No. 10.

All six teams atop the latest HondaReport.com Boys’ Basketball Top Ten were in the exact same place a week ago. Iolani still leads the way with all 19 first-place votes from a panel of coaches and media.

The Raiders (26-2, 12-0 Interscholastic League of Honolulu) have get a challenge Tuesday against the ILH’s second-place team, Punahou. The Buff n’ Blue (23-5, 11-1 ILH) are still No. 2 in the HRC Top Ten, as well.

Mililani, which went through the West Division of the O’ahu Interscholastic Association unbeaten, have a bye in the opening round of the league playoffs. The Trojans (20-1, 10-0 OIA West) will host the Radford-Kahuku winner Friday.

Kalaheo, winner of the East, remained No. 4. The Mustangs (19-5, 10-1 OIA East) will host the Pearl City-McKinley winner Friday.

Fifth-ranked Maui, 9-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League, has already clinched a state tournament berth. The Sabers are led by one of the state’s top players, 6-foot-3 point forward Gene Rivera.

Sixth-ranked Kealakehe completed the Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular-season with a 13-0 mark and clinched a state berth.

Castle, which returned to the poll last week, jumped three positions to No. 7. The Knights (7-2 OIA East) have a bye in the opening round of the playoffs.

Waimea needs a win over rival Kaua’i to capture the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation title and a state tournament berth. The Menehune are 6-0 in league play, which already includes a first-round title.

Kamehameha-O’ahu (15-8, 6-6 ILH) and Kaimuki round out the Top Ten.

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