Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski calls it a matter of trust.
“In leadership, there are no words more important than trust. In any organization, trust must be developed among every member of the team if success is to be achieved,” he said.
When Farrington dipped to 3-3 in the OIA East, there was some work to be done, and it paid off with a 4-1 run to complete the regular season. That was followed by playoff wins over Waianae, Campbell (on the road) and, on Tuesday night, No. 1 Kalaheo.
After seeing them beat Campbell and Kalaheo, they look like a different team. They’re not settling for OK shots anymore. They’re working the high and low posts, looking for that extra pass that will be an easy layup. And if that’s not there, the Governors are willing to start over. That patience makes Farrington, a team of 6-foot and under players, tough to beat.
Even Jake Smith, their best perimeter shooter, noted that he’s not taking “10 or 11 3-pointers in the first half” these days. He’s as sold on the value of getting inside, getting to the foul line — he is probably their best free-throw shooter, too — as often as possible. The reality is that when Smith is hot, he’s tough to beat with that high release from deep, but when he’s cold, it’s not as easy to get offensive boards on 3-point shots.
The Governors still shoot the 3 — Smith had to big ones in the third quarter against Kalaheo — but it’s a lot easier to get boards on the offensive glass when shots are in the paint. Even Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo has gotten steals off the other team’s defensive rebounds and turned it into an art form — with the bonus of more easy layups. Must be seen to be believed. The Govs are playing at an elite level again.
HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST HALF
SECOND HALF
OVERTIME
Video: Paul Honda.
Highlights. Farrington vs. Kalaheo, OIA boys basketball semifinal round. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. McKinley Student Council Gymnasium.
Score: Governors 60, Mustangs 58, OT.
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