That's why it's extremely impressive that Aiea coach Wyatt Tau and Farrington coach Alan Silva have been able to sell their players on the most lethal and valuable of assets in boys basketball: Defense.

Aiea came out firing from the arc. Farrington spread the floor well and pumped the ball down low effectively. It was defense, though, that rallied Aiea. They couldn't hit a perimeter shot early on, but once they locked down, Farrington hit a scoring drought.

In a park-league game, this would've been a 91-90 game. But this was an OIA championship game, and defense wins championships. Aiea earned this win, and Farrington could well end up in the finals for a rematch against Na Alii. It was my second time watching each team. Both times, Aiea relied on great defensive work to take control. Farrington? They play 10-12 players regularly. That works for team unity, but at some point, culling the rotation to eight players will help their dangerous scorers get into a rhythm and be much more effective.

Dayton Kealoha is one of the toughest matchups in the state. Strong enough to finish at the hoop, but versatile enough to hit the 22-footer. Sweet lefty stroke. But he just doesn't get enough shots, and that's me, a team-first former coach thinking out loud.

I wonder if Kohala has can avoid a cold spell like the one that killed its D-II state title hopes in the semifinals last year. I wonder if St. Joseph has enough firepower.

Then, there's Kauai, with so much raw talent and question marks about self-control and discipline. Yeah, discipline. Hearing one of their players drop F-bombs at their coach during the Moanalua tournament was ridiculous. Some coaches would've cut the kid immediately. Kauai sat him for the rest of the game and brought him back the next day.

University doesn't have discipline problems. Walt Quitan has a nice nucleus of kids who know how to play together. That's what wins in the ILH, whether it's D-I or D-II.

But athletically, no other D-II team can match the likes of Aiea and Farrington. That's just a fact. Aiea and Farrington are big schools that should've been in D-I this year, and I know the players and coaches wish that were so. Aiea would've challenged Campbell and Mililani for the OIA Red West "title." Farrington would have strengthened the weakened Red East, perhaps challenging Kahuku and Kalaheo at the top.

Fun to watch, but don't worry. Kohala, University and other small schools will have their bandwagon fans come state-tourney time. Everybody loves an underdog.

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