So, why was Campbell seeded -- and traveling -- in the first round of the D-II state tourney?

Some factors involved in the seeding.

1. The OIA had a choice of sending its D-I teams off-island or D-II teams. D-II traveled (with the exception of OIA #3 Leilehua).

2. The history of Iolani (D-II defending state champion) and Lahainaluna (beat Mililani in the D-I tourney a few years ago, reached the final of the D-II tourney last year) were valued higher than Campbell's one-loss mark this season. Iolani's win over Saint Louis and Lahainaluna's narrow loss to Baldwin outweighed other factors.

3. Campbell did not have a strong nonconference showing.

All this being said, it's just my vantage point. Anyone who watched Campbell during the regular season knew they would be a contender not just in D-II, but in D-I if allowed. Would the Sabers be in the state tourney at the D-I level? Maybe. I think their slotbacks, receivers are right there with the best in the OIA in skill and depth. Defense is not big all around, but big enough and very quick. Respicio makes a few first-year mistakes, but his big-play ability is real.

Would Campbell have nudged Leilehua out of the third-place state berth? Probably not. But it would've been interesting.

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