The 16th annual James Alegre Invitational boys basketball tournament is tipping off. Honokaa of the BIIF and Farrington of the OIA are in pre-game introductions. Interesting transition for the Governors, who lost several starters to graduation off a team that reach the state final last season.
Worth noting that the Govs do have Tua Unutoa back from last year’s squad. They also have Kamehameha transfer Jaycob Smith and St. Francis transfers Keola Kealoha and Ranan Mamiya. Also, Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo turned out after sitting last year to concentrate on football. However, big man Seu Luafatasaga is out four weeks after having post-football season surgery to repair cartilage in a knee.
Wednesday’s games
3 p.m. Honokaa vs. Farrington
4:30 p.m. Punahou vs. Leilehua
6 p.m. Saint Louis I-AA vs. Radford
7:30 p.m. Hayward (Calif.) vs. Mililani
See the scoreboard and schedule here.
First quarter
Farrington leads 8-4, time out with 3:25 left. Honokaa missed its first four shots, mostly from the 3-point arc. Govs are running with the Dragons, but have turned it over a few times. Kealoha is running the point, and after having a guard-heavy team last year that ran well, it’s probably going to be an adjustment period. They used four senior guards last season — Isaiah Visoria, Isaiah Smith, Van Hugo, Mark Duldulao — so that’s to be expected.
Govs come out of the time out pressing fullcourt with Mamiya on the floor. Honokaa is staying in a 2-3 zone.
Another time out, 1:37. Govs lead 13-5 after scoring on back-to-back turnovers by Honokaa against the press. Fun to see the Govs this active fullcourt.
Two more steals by the Govs turn into two more layups. Another time out by Honokaa, 17-5, 1;13. Unutoa wore #43 last year and is wearing #20 now. Mamiya (12), Kealoha (11) and Jake Smith (22) all in maroon. They are deep.
Govs lead 21-5 at the end of the first quarter. Small crowd here for a 3 p.m. game, but it’ll fill up some later when Punahou, Leilehua, Radford, Saint Louis I-AA and Mililani play. Folks will be off from work by then.
Second quarter
The Dragons are fairly young, just three seniors, with five players who are freshmen or sophomores. They’re a little anxious; they’ve fumbled away at least three easy layups.
Halftime
Farrington 45, Honokaa 13. Govs bench is playing well, very fluid, just a few turnovers. They were up big when coach Allan Silva pulled back on the press and put his team in a 2-3 zone. They still ran the floor well. In fact, the second group is more settled and has better chemistry, probably guys who have played together for years (Ton Selga, LJ Gonzales). The first group and primary rotation will need time to develop chemistry.
I’m not saying these are the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the need for patience is similar. This is going to be a good team.
Third quarter
Dragons had a long talk at halftime, or rather, coach Jayne Carvalho did. They are in man defense now. Govs lead 49-15, 5:01. Govs being patient offensively, working on their old-school high-low post set. This will be interesting to watch through the preseason and regular season. It’s a great offense when you have bigs who can post strong and attack the basket. Farrington is athletic, but not especially tall or athletic in the post, not since Jacob McEnroe graduated. But they’re executing pretty smoothly for a second game in preseason.
Govs lead 59-22 at the end of three quarters. Freshman guard Gene Ansagay hit a 3-pointer for Honokaa with 15 seconds left in the quarter.
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