By Paul Honda
paul@hondareport.com
Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2007

Due to space limitations, the OIA Red East girls basketball preview in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin was shortened immensely.

Below, the team capsules in full length.

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Of all the Oahu Interscholastic Association title-winning teams of the past 20 years, only one championship coach remains.

Roosevelt's Bobby Keanini led his team to the league crown last year, and though three starters return, his team isn't a clear-cut favorite to repeat as champion.

The reason is simple. This may be the most tumultuous, competitive Red East season in recent memory.

Three of the East's teams are ranked in the Star-Bulletin Top 10. The best of them could well be Kalani, which won the Division II state title last season.

With an influx of new talent — Courtney Gaddis transferred from La Pietra and Rhianna Farm transferred from Kamehameha — the Lady Falcons have the inside power to mesh with a core of solid backcourt standouts.

"I think Kalani is the frontrunner," new Kahuku coach Peni Latu said. "What they've shown is that they've competed with the ILH and that's where the road goes through in the end."

Roosevelt, with All-State guard Iwalani Rodrigues, still has the aura of a frontrunner. Kalaheo is relying on All-State guard Shanadee Canon, and the East doesn't get much easier after that.

Kalaheo is upbeat after finishing third in the Hilo High School Classic. The Lady Mustangs pushed Honokaa to the limit before losing, then outlasted Waiakea.

"It was a great trip for us," first-year coach Ryan Hogue said. "Games were under pressure and it was our level of competition."

Kahuku has a multitude of key returnees for Latu. Farrington also has experience and talent, including guard C'ani Kealoha.

Moanalua has been strong behind the Ronolo sisters, Britni and Jamie. Once again, it's reasonably possible that all five of the OIA's state berths will be taken by East-side schools.

Here's a look at the OIA Red East.

Farrington Governors

Coach: Jenic Tumaneng.

On paper: C'ani Kealoha and Elaine Leaupepe anchor the backcourt. "C'ani is much more mature being her third year on the varsity," Tumaneng said. "We're excited about our sophomores."

Valerie Lesu is just 5-5, but scores often in the paint. "She just hustles a lot. She does what she's asked to do," Tumaneng said. Jorell Telefoni-Sablan also plays the post and guard Natalie Mata are key contributors. Mata is a transfer from the island of Kauai.

With the mix of new and old players, the Governors went 6-6 in a rugged nonconference schedule.

The skinny: "We just gotta stay healthy and condition. If they all contribute their part, we'll be OK," Tumaneng said.

X factor: Rebounding and defense have been a struggle for the Govs. "I hate to play zone, and if we play man, we're short on the matchups," Tumaneng noted. "We'll try to figure that out."

Kahuku Red Raiders

Coach: Peni Latu.

On paper: Latu, 39, is a 1986 graduate of Kahuku. He played under Kendall Ko and began coaching when Wendy Anae arrived in 2002. Latu replaces Val Anae, who returned to the mainland.

Latu inherits a team that has five returning starters. Seniors Lenora Nauahi and Brittney Fesolai anchor the backcourt, while Kendra Moe, Keisha Moeai and Crystal Glover are the frontcourt starters.

"We're pretty deep," Latu said of Kahuku's balanced scoring attack. "It's a real athletic bunch."

Knowing their attitude and what they bring to the table. These girls didn't have to prove anything to me,"

McZeen Ale and Nicole Nautu are both seniors who will offer plenty of punch off the bench.

"We try to set the tempo so we try to run before we even settle down. That's how we went to the championship during my two years on the JV. We have athletes, so we have to go out there and have fun and compete. We're a no-name team with a no-name coach."

The skinny: "We're just learning as we go along. Hopefully, at the end we can make a run. Kaimuki (boys) taught us a lot about what you can do," he said of the state championships.

X factor: Reserve strength. Freshman Taeja Afalava has been scoring in the low post at a prolific pace despite coming off the bench. The 5-10 forward has scored as many as 19 points a game already. The JV's leading scorer, guard Lana Tito, could also become a scoring threat. Kelcy Latu, the coach's daughter, is a 5-9 shooting guard.

Kaimuki Bulldogs

Coach: Mona Fa'asoa.

On paper: The Bulldogs were 5-4 in nonconference games. Guard Olivia Phommachanh (pronounced Po Ma Chun) is a streaky scorer who is especially tough off the dribble. Ashley Fortson is a consistent, smart player under the boards.

The skinny: Kaimuki have been a middle-of-the-pack team so far, handling weaker Division II teams and falling to strong D-I squads. The 'Dogs have a chance to make a difference in the playoff hunt if they improve basic skills.

X factor: Louise Fiamate is probably the best athlete on the team. If the quick swingman can improve her perimeter shot and be aggressive to the basket, coach Fa'asoa won't have to search so hard for points.

Kalaheo Mustangs

Coach: Ryan Hogue.

On paper: The Mustangs are ranked No. 10 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10 and could rise higher now with help from Kailua transfer Aui Williams. The junior is only 5-8, but rebounds with the best.

"She battles, she competes," said Hogue, who was a blue-collar forward with UH-Hilo not so long ago.

Williams' sister, Sola, is only a freshman but has cracked the starting lineup. "She learns quick and she plays hard," Hogue said. "If we just play hard on 'D', we give ourselves a chance to win any game we play."

The improving play of the Williams sisters is a huge boost for a team that already has fourth-year starter Shanadee Canon. The returning All-State Fab 15 selection is one of the premier scorers and defenders in the OIA.

"She stepped up her game, especially since we have eight freshmen and sophomores," Hogue said.

Softball standout Caira Pires, a junior, is in her third varsity season and adds toughness under the basket.

The skinny: Hogue has plenty to offer despite being a first-year coach. The former UH-Hilo Vulcan player was a JV coach before taking over for Chico Furtado.

X factor: Anu Ahyun, a returning post player, could help a lot. The same goes for Hoku Malama-Cluster.

Kalani Falcons

Coach: Darold Imanaka.

On paper: The Falcons (9-2) are ranked No. 4 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, a good sign for a program that struggled until recent years. Already, Kalani has losses to No. 2-ranked Iolani and No. 3 Konawaena, but also has wins over No. 5 Punahou, and in a rematch, Iolani.

Backcourt mainstays Megan Kamehiro, Kacie Gushiken and Chelsea Kimura are steady, while the arrival of transfers Courtney Gaddis (La Pietra) and Rhianna Farm (Kamehameha) give Imanaka the athletic, long athletes perfectly suited for his brand of roundball.

Alison Neussl, a 6-2 transfer from Alaska, is another valuable addition. Her rebounding ability will help Gaddis and Farm get out on the fastbreak.

The skinny: Gaddis has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game in her career, and her ability to get to the free-throw line is key. She shoots nearly 80 percent there, which means the tight games in the East will be determined quite often by her smooth stroke.

X factor: Home crowd. Kalani has some of the most enthusiastic supporters in the league, much of it because of Imanaka's penchant for promotions and school spirit. In the East, every and any competitive bit of competitive edge counts for a lot.

Moanalua Na Menehune

Coach: Rick Gonsalves.

On paper: Na Menehune went 8-4 in nonconference games. Britni Ronolo could be, inch for inch, one of the most effective players in the league. Her skills on the post are remarkable considering she's undersized, but Moanalua can't really afford to let her roam on the perimeter often.

Her sister, Jamie, is the glue in the backcourt and has increased her scoring production this year. She scored 17 points against Iolani and 22 against a solid Punahou II squad.

The skinny: Gonsalves preaches defensive fundamentals to his team and the effort is paying off. Despite a lack of size, they hold their own on the boards

X factor: Gonsalves is hoping for improvement in his team's field-goal percentage and overall execution.

Roosevelt Rough Riders

Coach: Bobby Keanini.

On paper: The Rough Riders (7-2) are ranked No. 7 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10. They've beaten a number of OIA Red West teams, as well as Mid-Pacific and Maryknoll of the ILH. The losses were by double-digit margins to No. 2 Iolani and No. 5 Punahou.

Iwalani Rodrigues is a returning All-State Fab 15 guard with impeccable timing and an ability to change speeds on the dribble. The 5-8 junior guard is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game so far.

"Iwa has improved her outside shot," Keanini said.
Dianna Zane, now in her third year as the starting point guard, has scored in double figures in seven of her team's nine games. She averages six assists and three steals per game.

The skinny: A return to the state tournament title game won't be easy. The Rough Riders will certainly miss All-State forward Tati Beasley and center Shannon Miyashiro (now with HPU), but help is close by thanks to senior Shandree Armstead and 5-9 sophomore Tasia Kamakawiwoole.

"Shandree has improved a lot and is someone we're looking at to fill our forward position," Keanini noted.

X factor: Tiana Sugui is a versatile player who could give the Rough Riders a much-needed third scorer.

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