By Paul Honda
Editor
Sunday, April 17, 2005

The Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Fab 15 All-State selections were released today.

Due to space constraints, the player capsules weren’t published in the newspaper. I do have the capsules right here, however. Each player is listed with his ranking according to the votes submitted by media and coaches statewide.

Enjoy.

Player of the Year/Mr. Basketball
#1 Kyle Pape
Guard/Forward, Iolani, Sr., 6-1
Leading more by example than words, he admittedly deferred to teammates during the regular season, averaging 15.6 points per game, but his all-around play made him the ILH Player of the Year pick by coaches. At the state tourney, he stepped up. Pape averaged 31 points per game at the state championships, shooting 50 percent from the field and an old-school 92 percent from the foul line as Iolani won its fourth-consecutive title. Also the toughest defensive player in the state, capable of tremendous rebounding and on-ball pressure. Signed a letter of intent to play Thursday to play at Colorado School of Mines.

#2 Jeremiah Ostrowski
Guard, Punahou, So., 5-7
Pound for pound, there was no other like Ostrowski. The Buffanblu’s floor leader backed down to no one, adding a mesmerizing amount of strength and balance to his offensive game. Ostrowski led the ILH with 19.8 points per game despite being a marked man by opposing defenses. He knocked down 19 treys during the regular season, but also proved to be one of the toughest 1-on-1 scorers off the dribble in the islands. Averaged 21.5 points per game at the state tourney on 42-percent accuracy from the field, tallying 27 in a win over Waiakea and 31 in a loss to Baldwin despite a bruised back.

#3 Trenson Himalaya
Forward, Baldwin, Sr., 6-0
Lingering football injuries slowed the stocky, explosive senior as the Bears opened practice. As he came along, so did Baldwin, especially in the late season. Himalaya’s multi-faceted game ranged from strong inside scoring and rebounding, to 3-point range and tremendous transition play. The Bears ran on most opponents, and Himalaya often led the way with 14 points and 8 rebounds per game in league play. The Bears won the MIL title and finished 23-3 as coaches voted Himalaya MIL Player of the Year. At the state tourney, he averaged 19 points and 7 boards per game, shooting 66 percent from the field. The standout linebacker will play football this fall at Dixie (Utah) Junior College.

#4 Okesene Ale Jr.
Guard/Forward, Kahuku, Jr., 6-1
The spirited standout led the OIA East with 16.4 points per game during regular-season play. Arguably the most well-rounded player in the state, Ale combined court smarts with dexterity. Able to play the point and the post equally well, he settled into the 3 spot for the Red Raiders. His ability to knock down the trey and drive to the basket helped balance Kahuku’s menu of strong rebounding and 3-point shooting. Defensively, he is capable of playing any position on the floor, but his long arms and quickness make him a nightmare for opposing guards.

#5 Vinny Nip
Guard, Iolani, Jr., 5-8
Floor leader, sharpshooter, crab defense. That odd combination, along with a stoic intensity, made the unassuming guard a key cog in Iolani’s march to the state championship. Nip has the quickest release in the state among 3-point gunners. His ILH-leading 27 treys in 14 ILH games didn’t quite define his ability to impact a game off the dribble and on defense. Few defenders were able to cover point guards as well as Nip, who was voted No. 2 in the All-Defensive Team balloting.

#6 Jack Miller
Guard, Saint Louis, Sr., 6-2
A marked man by opponents all season, the Ohio transfer rose to the challenge far more often than not. Equipped with a lethal mid-range jumper, Miller often brought the ball upcourt and still averaged 17.9 points per game in ILH play. Miller also has good court vision. Punahou coach Greg Tacon said, more than once, that Miller is a better passer than scorer. Bowling Green is showing interest in Miller.

#7 Tristan Bailey
Forward, Campbell, Sr. 6-2
The multi-sport standout was a rock-steady contributor as the Sabers had their best season in recent memory. The deceptively quick senior averaged 14 points per game in OIA West play. Able to stretch defenses with his 3-point range, Bailey’s old-school low-post play was often too much for opposing guards and forwards. Strong, but agile, he also possessed a knack for making the right pass at the right time on the perimeter and in the key.

#8 Vaafuti Tavana
Center, Kauai, Sr., 6-8
Considered by many KIF watchers as the most humble giant to emerge from the Garden Island, Tavana was often a one-man wrecking crew against opponents. At 255 pounds, he dominated most teams with a variety of low-post moves. His height, length and athleticism were a huge factor for Kauai’s defense. Kauai won the state tournament consolation title as Tavana accumulated 69 points, 24 rebounds and 11 blocked shots against Kalaheo, Kamehameha-Maui and Waiakea while shooting 52 percent from the field. Tavana, who led the Red Raiders to state tournaments in volleyball and basketball the past two years, will play volleyball at BYU next season.

#9 Aukai Wong
Guard/Forward, Hilo, Sr., 6-2
After a rocky career at Keaau, where a coaching change and the death of a teammate created instability, Wong found a home at Hilo this season. Given the green light, he averaged 25 points per game, including a high of eight 3-pointers in one game. Always a physical rebounder and solid ballhandler, his expanded range and accuracy was surpassed by few in the islands.

#10 Xiro Naovalath
Guard, Waianae, Sr., 5-8
The quickest hands and feet in the state belonged to Naovalath, a transfer from Minnesota. Settling in with an ailing uncle and his family, he quickly adapted to the Leeward Coast in large part to an unprecedented set of hoop skills. A 40-point game early in the season made him the focus of every defense in the OIA West, where he finishing with a 23.7 scoring average. Offensively, his ability to get hot quickly from the arc balanced an assortment of blinding crossover and spin moves. Few defenders, if any, stole as many balls at midcourt.

#11 T.J. Akina
Guard/Forward, Konawaena, Sr., 6-1
Capable of playing any position, Akina’s court sense and ballhandling made him an extremely valuable part of the Wildcats’ BIIF title run. Always fundamentally sound, his bank shot, defense and unselfishness were pure gold, old-school style. A matchup problem for opponents, he never hesitated to knock down the open 3, but always found a way to take the ball to the rack and finish. Averaged 22 points per game in the BIIF playoffs, including a 32-point effort against Waiakea as the Wildcats clinched their first BIIF boys basketball title. Voted by coaches as BIIF Player of the Year.

#12 Cody Nakamura
Forward/Center, Baldwin, Sr., 6-1
Despite his height, Nakamura scored on the low post at will against just about all defenders. Smooth footwork and an excellent scoring touch helped, but Nakamura also ran the break better than any center in the state. His steady play inside helped the Bears overcome early injuries and reach the semifinals of the state championships.

#13 Devin Unga
Forward, Kahuku, Jr., 6-0
The transfer from Utah had a fervor for offensive rebounds like no other player in Hawaii. His explosiveness and desire made him an inexpendable asset as Kahuku won its first OIA basketball crown since the 1960s. Defensively, his strength and agility were perfect for the Red Raiders’ trapping defense. Had 14 points, 12 rebounds (six offensive) in the title game against Iolani.

#14 Ikaika Hardie
Guard, Kamehameha, Sr., 5-7
The loss of center Waika Spencer to injury (football) put far more weight on Hardie, but he was the sparkplug that made the Warriors engine hum. Offensively, he was solid (12 ppg, 18 treys during ILH play), but defense is where Hardie’s intelligence and quickness were rarely matched. Playing the lanes out of Kamehameha’s 2-3 zone and traps, he often got easy buckets off steals, finishing plays with unmatched speed. Voted No. 5 (tie) in the All-Defensive Team voting. Hardie hopes to walk on and play football at Hawaii this fall.

#15 David Moore
Guard/Forward, Kalaheo, Sr., 5-10
Defense has always been Moore’s forte, but his offense (12 ppg) came to the forefront for a young Mustang squad this season. Patience also proved to be a virtue as Moore emerged as a leader for Kalaheo, helping the proud program reach the state tournament after a slow start in nonconference play. He made 23 free throws in a row during the state tournament. Voted No. 5 (tie) in the All-Defensive Team voting.

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