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By Paul Honda
Editor
HondaReport.com

HONOLULU—The rich, usually, get richer.

The poor, normally, are left to collect crumbs.

It didn’t happen in the past year, though, not in girls’ basketball. In fact, there’s been a sea change in a sport that, traditionally, has been dominated by the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Three of last year’s four semifinalists in the state tournament came from the public-school Oahu Interscholastic Association: Kahuku, Moanalua and Farrington.

Of those three, Kahuku is a strong contender not only to repeat as OIA titlist, but to battle for the state championship. The Lady Raiders, with a plethora of returnees—and two players named to the McDonald’s All-America nominee list from Hawaii—went 11-1 in preseason. Their slate includes wins over ILH favorite Punahou and Big Island Interscholastic Federation defending champion Konawaena.

Punahou and Konawaena are also among the top teams in the state, according to one poll.

The favorites remain the same. Defending champion Moanalua lost some key contributors, including leading scorer Patti Hardimon, and has a new head coach. Farrington, however, still has its cornerstone: center Laosamoa Misa-Uli.

Kalaheo, the league’s most storied girls’ basketball program, also has the ingredients for a title run. However, all-league forward Taylor Smith has struggled with a foot injury and is due for an MRI today. “I just hope it’s a bruise or sprain,” veteran coach Chico Furtado said.

And in the OIA East, where questions abounded about a dropoff in talent, the answers have been resounding. The dogfight for last year’s six playoff berths will be a brawl for the paltry sum of four playoff spots.

Where does this leave the rest of the OIA? With the birth of the Division II state tourney, the “poor,” last year’s bottom dwellers, get an opportunity to qualify for post-season play.

However, the “middle class”—OIA Division I teams—are left with just four state berths. And, perhaps, more distressing for coaches is the fact that only four teams qualify for the playoffs in each division. For perennial powerhouse teams, nothing changes.

Predetermined Division II teams can still qualify for the D1 OIA playoffs if they finish among the top four in their division The middle class—teams like Farrington, Kaiser or McKinley—could finish fifth and sixth in the East and have no post-season play.

In last year’s playoff action, the East went 6-0 against the West, lending credence to those who steadfastly argue that the East has superior talent and coaching. “The East is still strong. With only four state berths in Division I, it’s going to be tougher,” Pearl City coach Mike Morton said, referring to the six berths available to the OIA last year. “If you finish third or fourth in the West, you’re probably going to have to face Kalaheo or Kahuku.”

Coaches aren’t about to argue against the facts. Most pick Kahuku to ascend as OIA champion.

However, three factors regarding Kahuku cannot be denied. One, the Lady Raiders are the most athletic, and possibly, most determined squad in the state. Last year’s struggle against Konawaena is proof positive. Kahuku trailed by a double-digit margin early, but its relentless full-court press and aggressive offensive play turned the game around. Kahuku eventually advanced to the state title game.

Two, the Lady Raiders proved vulnerable against a dominant post player. Misa-Uli led Farrington over Kahuku in the OIA semifinals last season, 56-46. It may not show this early since Misa-Uli just won another wrestling crown, but by the playoffs, Farrington could stand in Kahuku’s way again.

Three, the Lady Raiders have a propensity to turn the ball over. They averaged more than 20 turnovers per game at the state tournament, yet found ways to overcome the giveaways.

And this season, they are much more seasoned, which gives them better execution. In a win over Konawaena at the Punahou Wahine Spring Classic, center Latoya Wily was double- and triple-teamed incessantly. She scored just three points, but Kahuku patiently found open shooters and won, 51-45.

Monarisa Ale showed signs of becoming the best player statewide in that game. Her 16 points were huge, but the 5-foot-11 senior’s quickness, long arms and newfound consistency of intensity are invaluable as the point man on Kahuku’s full-court press.

That being said, the East and West races aren’t set in stone. Here’s a closer look.

West Division

The season came to an abrupt end for both Pearl City and Aiea in May. Pearl City went 10-0 through the West, but lost to Farrington, 46-45, in the quarterfinals.

Aiea, the division’s runner-up, lost to McKinley, 53-25 in the quarterfinals.

This time around, Mililani is among the favorites. Ceslie Ma’afala, a transfer from McKinley, anchors the middle. First-year head coach Scott DeSilva is no rookie, having assisted at other programs for years, and the Lady Trojans showed in preseason that they will likely surpass last year’s 5-5 regular-season mark.

Kapolei, potentially, could contend for the West title. Junior center Jerrell Taituave, at 6 feet, has the physical tools to become one of the best players in the state. Whether the Hurricanes are truly hungry enough to commit to year-round training is, at best, doubtful.

And what of Pearl City? The Chargers return enough talent to become a contender, but even with center Marci Lobendahn hustling in the paint, Pearl City has struggled through preseason. They were routed by Farrington, 50-31, at the Lady Trojan Invitational less than a week after Misa-Uli returned to the Lady Governors. It could be an omen, or perhaps, a wake-up call for a squad that was 10-0 in OIA West regular-season play last year.

Desiree Blaney, a senior point guard, returned from Italy is making a tremendous difference for Morton’s Chargers. “If we didn’t have her, we’d be in deep trouble,” he said.

Aiea has struggled through preseason, but will likely contend for a playoff berth. So will Campbell, Radford and Leilehua—which boasts one of the best players in the league, multi-sport standout Pikake Nutter-Gaudet.

Radford, with four returning starters, could make a strong run in the wide-open West. Tereva Moore, a sophomore center, and senior guard Lia Mickey lead the Lady Rams.

Waialua, with one of its better teams in recent years, may also surprise this spring. Shanay Coloma and Misty Maxwell lead a Bulldog squad that has improved. Case in point: a 46-25 win over ‘Aiea at the Lady Menehune Peek Tournament.

East Division

Woe be to the coaches of the East, for there simply are not enough castles to house their playoff hopes. Nor is there enough Advil to quell their stress.

How rough does it get in the East? Consider this: three perennial playoff teams, Kaimuki, Roosevelt and Kalani, didn’t even qualify last year. Kaimuki, of course, had Dalia Solia, who now plays for the University of Hawaii.

Last year’s regular-season playoff qualifiers were in this order: Moanalua, Kahuku, McKinley, Farrington, Kalaheo and Kaiser. Unlike most leagues, where there is some semblance of reshuffling, the East only got better from top to bottom. Every one of last year’s playoff teams in this division returned a high percentage of starters.

That gives Eastside fans a higher level of parity and competition this spring.

At Moanalua, first-year head coach Rick Gonsalves will lean heavily on a mix of seasoned seniors and a youthful backcourt. Kepua Lee, one of 10 McDonald’s All-America nominees from Hawaii, moved from the point to the post this season. The senior has as much savvy as anyone statewide when it comes to getting inside and maximizing scoring opportunities.

Time will tell just how well the Menehune gel. Gonsalves has the luxury of switching Lee to her former position if and when necessary. Lee is one of the league’s better free-throw shooters.

Kahuku, of course, isn’t just about Wily and Ale. Karla Tailele and Camilla AhHoy are integral parts of Kahuku’s relentless defensive schemes. With second-year head coach Wendy Anae adding some new wrinkles, like a 1-3-1 zone, the Lady Raiders will only be better this year. They’ll have to overcome the loss of Artevia Wily, who sustained a knee injury Thursday against Waiakea.

McKinley could be the dark horse to challenge for the league title. Though the Lady Tigers lost Ma’afala, they gained freshman Chelsie Sato, who is capable of scoring 20 points every night. Sato is quick, but she is also a strong rebounder with good instincts on the low post.

The addition of Sato gives veteran coach Jesse Victorino a valuable weapon to go with senior guards Bre Carson, Meagan Miyasaka and Chantal Yadao. Carson is the streakiest 3-point shooter in the league, but also attacks the basket with reckless abandon. Miyasaka is possibly the best defensive guard in the OIA, while Yadao showed her development by scoring 26 against Kahuku in the state tourney last season.

Farrington, meanwhile, could hardly wait for the end of wrestling season. Misa-Uli’s presence is enough to alter defensive tactics for any Lady Governor foes. At 5-10, 175 pounds, with unmatched strength and agility, Misa-Uli is also one of her team’s vocal leaders, aptly nicknamed Sunshine. The two-time state wrestling champion has always said basketball, not volleyball or wrestling, is her true passion.

Kalaheo has the personnel to make a serious run. Smith, another McDonald’s All-America nominee, prepared for the hoops season by playing volleyball for the first time. If she has to take a break, classmate Shaina Siliga will have a bigger role. The senior guard normally provides complementary scoring with a good mid-range jump shot, and she made five 3-pointers in a win over Saint Joseph Thursday.

Freshman Shannadee Canon is among a group of newcomers that Furtado likes a lot. Canon was named to the Lady Cardinal Classic All-Tournament Team over the weekend.

“She’s a lot like Sharon (Wahinekapu),” Furtado said of Canon. Wahinekapu, a former All-OIA guard, now plays at Portland State. “But we’re young. Even our experienced players are mostly juniors.”

And then, there’s Kaiser. Longtime coach Lisa Mann led the Cougars through the East battles to reach the playoffs last season. At 5-5, the Cougars upended Radford, 46-33, to reach the quarterfinals. There, they lost to Kahuku, 59-48.

The Cougars return their cornerstone, the trio of Shera Yamamoto, Sharde Pratt and Kilioe Aliifua. Yamamoto is one of the quickest point guards in the league, while Pratt is a solid 5-8 forward does a lot of the little things on both ends of the floor. Aliifua, meanwhile, is an agile 5-11 center who is very effective on the low post.

Will there be room for any other team besides these six in the East? But, of course. At least one team has offered a glimpse of promise. Roosevelt has been competitive in preseason, and if any of the top six have slippage, Rough Rider coach Bobby Keanini will help his team find a way to bust through the ceiling.

Whether Kahuku is the favorite or not, teams are beginning to take measures to counter the Lady Raiders’ strengths. Kamehameha-Hawai’i went to a four-corners spread and stayed close before losing in the semifinals of the Lady Cardinal Classic Friday night. Konawaena also spread the floor open in the second half with success Saturday, handing Kahuku its only loss of preseason, 55-41.

Victorino is convinced of two things: 1. Kahuku is the favorite, and 2. the Lady Tigers have an antidote.

“Kahuku is the real deal, but they don’t have a pure outside shooter. They haven’t played a team that’s quicker than them yet,” Victorino said. The Lady Tigers spread the floor and rallied from a 12-point deficit before falling to Kamehameha-Oahu, 47-46, last week.

“We can spread the court and find mismatches against teams. If they’re going to put a big person on Chantal, I think she can beat her to the basket. It’s the same with Chelsie,” Victorino said. “I’ve been asked, ‘How are you going to match up against teams?’ It’s not how are we going to match up with other teams, but how are they going to match up with us.”

Kaiser gets a shot at Kahuku Thursday. “They’re excellent athletes,” said Mann, a former University of Hawaii forward. The Cougars will be at home for Kahuku matchup.

“A lot of these kids have been with me for two years. Experience is always going to help. Basically, we have nothing to lose,” she said. “We have to play our absolute best to beat them.”

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