HondaReport.com - Stats nice

Is it possible that the best individual stat line of the week belongs to a member of the feline family? Does this weather suck? Answers to these pertinent questions and more coming right up

I thought it would be much more difficult. Last year, it took me about six months to get used to the notion of 2006.

That's what Mike Makinano did in Campbell's blowout win at Kapolei this week. Not only did they win, Makinano has picked up where he left off last season. He showed up back at Campbell after a stay on the mainland and helped the Sabers reach the state tourney. There, he was instrumental in Campbell's opening-round upset of Saint Louis, a team that had relied on California transfer Jeremiah Masoli so heavily as its point guard.

Saint Louis, and especially Masoli, was the unbreakable wall that prevented Punahou from reaching the state tournament. Ultimately, that cost then-coach Greg Tacon his position, though it is very difficult to justify firing someone who won 21 games (21-8 last season) and more than 100 games in five seasons. Of course, the coach before him, Alan Lum, posted similar numbers before he was released, too.

Anyway, Makinano is putting up nice numbers. If there were a Hawaii high-school fantasy basketball league, he'd be a clear first-round choice. Then again, some people may have never heard of him. In fact, the guy who left Campbell in the off-season, Tristan Sealy, is also racking up impressive numbers. He had a 36-point game on Friday, and he had a 41-point outing in a December tournament.

Fantasy numbers aside, what impresses me just as much is the way Kameron Steinhoff is making life easier in the paint for Punahou. Tonight, his numbers were stellar, and his ability to finish off plays at both ends is a huge help for the Buffanblu. He's providing the kind of power in the paint, not to mention quickness, that was missing a year ago after then-senior Brenton Lee sustained a fateful and, really, sad Achilles heel injury.

Steinhoff had 11 points and 11 boards in Punahou's league-opening win over Saint Louis a few nights ago. Then, tonight in a win at Kamehameha, he had 14 points, six boards and four of Punahou's 10 blocked shots. He's the kind of player who isn't flashy and his numbers don't have a big wow effect, but every coach in the state would love to have him in the lineup. He is truly valuable, harder to replace than almost any other type of player. Guards are plentiful, and most schools can find at least one big body to play center. A 6-foot-4 guy who can jump, hit layups, block shots, play with energy ... that's a rarity. And he's just a junior.

More about hoops tomorrow as I figure out my latest Star-Bulletin Top 10 ballot.