By Paul Honda
paul@hondareport.com
Friday, Feb. 23, 2007

A look back at yesterday's semifinal round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships.

Destiny: Can you really be surprised that Punahou and Kaimuki won their semifinal games last night? Punahou's balance, anchored by Spencer McLachlin inside and Miah Ostrowski outside, and depth paid dividends against a big Kalaheo squad.

The Mustangs, like Saint Louis, have gone through stints without efficient shooting from the perimeter. Kalaheo shot well enough last night, though, to beat most teams. They got their share of open looks against a Punahou defense that opted to take its chances by locking in on Cheynne Lishman to an extent.

Even on a night when Kameron Steinhoff (26 points, 13 rebounds in the quarterfinals) was a non-factor, Punahou still won decisively.

That sets up a classic showdown with Kaimuki. Like Punahou, Kaimuki withstood foul trouble to a key player. In the Bulldogs' instance, it was Beau Albrechtson, who picked up some unnecessary fouls early on and sat for large chunks of time.

Who do I like? Punahou. It's not that complicated. Punahou plays tremendous defense on the perimeter, and McLachlin has the best control of the interior of any player in the state. He was the only defender who could single-handedly neutralize Saint Louis' powerful Scott Smith (both are 6-foot-7). McLachlin also does more than block shots and rebound. He gets in position very well, and even has enough nuance and finesse to fake shot block tries that leave shooters double-clutching.

Real fans, including those of us who are former coaches at varying levels, understand the value of a McLachlin defensively. Offensively, coach Dan Hale has used him as a hub on the high and low posts, and McLachlin is a heady passer who gets easy layups for Punahou's other posts. His presence has freed up Miah Ostrowski, who doesn't always have to create his own shot anymore.

Kameron Steinhoff has developed as a valuable third contributor, one who will help Punahou's starting five keep pace with Kaimuki's first five.

Whether Kaimuki will keep up the pace is a big question. Keone Reyes has been highly productive, but the 'Dogs can't assume that he still has a full tank left after last night's amazing performance (27 points, six boards, four assists). If Reyes and Beau Albrechtson stay out of foul trouble, and if Daniel Colon and Brandon Madamba play stellar games on the perimeter, Kaimuki has a good shot to stay even.

It will still come down to bench play, though, and Punahou has a clear edge. Inside, I'll be rooting for my alma mater, but in reality, I want the team that plays best tonight to win. That team, barring a spectacular performance by the Bulldogs, will be the Buffanblu.

Shackled: It's really worth noting that Kamehameha-Hawaii had very good success against Kaimuki in the first half. A big reason was KSH's fullcourt press. Kaimuki had 11 turnovers by the break, but when KSH pulled back to a 1-2-2 zone (no trap), the Bulldogs' Keone Reyes feasted. The double-team came too late most times, and it became a halfcourt game.

KSH coach Nelson Wong wanted to rest his guys, and he wanted also to slow Reyes down. By the end of the third quarter, momentum was with the Bulldogs, and KSH still wouldn't press, which I feel was a factor in Kaimuki's win.

The Bulldogs have done a terrific job late in the season of masking their weak spot — a young, inexperienced bench. KSH gave Kaimuki a major break by calling off the press. With all the good athletes — all in the 5-11 to 6-2 range — at their disposal, the Warriors could have worn Kaimuki down. Reyes finished with 27 points, but he would have been fatigued in a high-tempo game.

Is it the Jim Winchester Effect? This conservative approach isn't limited to KS-Hawaii. KS-Oahu had 10 athletic players, but coach Jesse Nakanishi chose to play a halfcourt game spiced up with 3-point shooting, much like KS-Hawaii.

And like Wong, Nakanishi preferred to sit back in a zone defense (2-3) and play halfcourt ball.
This is what Kamehameha players learned coming up through the program at Kapalama in the 1980s and '90s, but today, with less height, both KSH and KSO are learning that the old ways aren't as conducive at the state-tourney level. Using a fullcourt press is a gamble, but it's a good risk when you have athletic players. I just can't help but wonder what would've happened if the two teams had given their athletes more freedom to press, to trap, to use their natural strengths.

Unless there are a few 6-6 and 6-7 athletes in the pipeline at the Keaau and Kapalama campuses, this might be as far as they'll go in their respective leagues, as well as the post-season.
The game has evolved and will continue to move ahead whether we keep pace or not.

Race track: No, I'm not surprised Kohala outscored Aiea last night (76-72). Both teams love to run and gun, and Kohala point guard Ryan Bautista, as Bill O'Rear touts, is an outstanding player. Kohala has always has good shooters, quick players who can play an uptempo game. Having a 6-5 (or 6-7, depending on who you believe) center is a rare blessing for the Cowboys, who were my pick to win the D-II state title.

Why? The Cowboys regularly play against the BIIF's D-I teams. If you think that's not a factor, look at University. The Junior Rainbows were seeded No. 1, as I expected the HHSAA committee to do, but their lackluster schedule in ILH D-II didn't help. Neither did the near two-week layoff before the state tourney.

Aiea, meanwhile, was seeded second, as I expected. But Na Alii don't have a true center, and their best players habitually get in foul trouble in their fullcourt press. Fun team to watch, just about everyone has the green light, which made the matchup with Kohala one worth watching.
Unfortunately, I couldn't be at two places at the same time.

I knew the HHSAA committee wouldn't seed Kohala No. 1. It's the first year of D-II in boys basketball, and Neighbor Island teams are often treated with a 'prove-something-to-us-first' mentality. So be it. Kohala is proving it belongs, but any true Hawaii prep basketball historian knows that the Cowboy program has been loaded with talent and relative success for decades.

For the non-historians, a 13-3 record by Kohala in league play should have said even more. Hopefully, the Cowboys' performance here in Honolulu this week will leave a lasting impression, at least until they have another dominant center.

The Brainpower: Bob Morikuni has been one of the best coaches in the state for a few years now. I've said this before, but it's worth repeating until more fans realize that his ability to extract quality play from his roster every year is a rare skill.

There are no other D-II teams that could have limited Farrington to such a low scoring output. McKinley's 33-29 win last night is testimony that 1) kids will play defense if you have true motivational skill, 2) kids will buy into a deliberate tempo if you have true motivational skill, and 3) you will win games despite a lack of size and team speed if have true teaching ability.

There are bigger names at bigger schools, but none have surpassed what Morikuni has done this season. Some have certainly coached just as well, but none have done more.

The big test tonight? Can McKinley lasso the Cowboys and lull them into a game in the 30s or 40s?

Heckle Gem of the Day: From an Aiea fan as Farrington extended its lead in the fourth quarter:

"Eh, Aiea! The more points Farrington scores, the further you going fall behind!"

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