By Paul Honda
paul@hondareport.com
Sunday, Apr. 29, 2007

In the traditionally staid Interscholastic League of Honolulu, new looks and strategies are not the norm.

Anybody who has watched ILH sports, including basketball, for a long time can agree on that. But you have to give Iolani credit here.

The Raiders switched from man to man and into a zone at full speed in a win over Punahou on Thursday. Sure, any team can change defenses, but the way Iolani did it caused enough disturbance for Punahou to lose some steam.

Iolani's done it before, particularly when star forward-center Jamie Smith picks up a few fouls. This time, she was in good shape with fouls, and the move forced Punahou to eat more time off the clock looking for a good shot.

Iolani's guards and forwards are quick, smart and sticky. Punahou never quite got back into a groove and fell, 49-39. There will be time for foes to work on their zone offenses, but for now, the Raiders deserve credit for employing a nice mix of halfcourt and fullcourt schemes.

There is no ILH title in hand, not yet, not with Kamehameha locked in first place with the Raiders. Flexibility does go a long way, though, and Iolani seems to have that stretch down.

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