Sometimes, close isn’t enough, but close contact — and ensuing protocols — are enough to affect a basketball team.
Saint Louis collected nine out of 10 first-place votes to remain atop the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10 on Monday. The Crusaders are 7-1 in the ILH gauntlet, where the teams that have stayed healthiest during the regular season are reaping the most rewards.
Punahou received one first-place vote.
Maryknoll, Punahou, ‘Iolani and Kamehameha round out the top five, all ILH programs that have played musical chairs with the league schedule in condensed mode. ‘Iolani is in the midst of a five-game stretch in a span of 10 days. Kamehameha has five contests over a 12-day span.
Kahuku, leader of the OIA East, is at No. 6. OIA West frontrunner Mililani is at No. 7. Roosevelt enters the Top 10 for the first time this season. The 10th-ranked Rough Riders host unbeaten Kahuku on Tuesday night.
Kailua, undefeated in OIA East play, is at No. 8 again, with MIL powerhouse Baldwin at No. 9.
No. 3 Punahou, No. 4 ‘Iolani, No. 5 Kamehameha and No. 6 Kahuku are separated by a total of six points.
Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10
Jan. 31, 2022
Rank School (1st-place votes) Pts LW
1. Saint Louis (9) (13-1, 7-1 ILH) 98 1
> def. Damien 62-20
> def. No. 3 ‘Iolani 44-37
> vs. Mid-Pacific, Thursday
> vs. Kamehameha, Saturday
2. Maryknoll (7-3, 6-2 ILH) 81 2
> lost @ No. 5 Kamehameha 50-47
> def. Damien 47-25
> @ Punahou, Tuesday
> @ Mid-Pacific, Saturday
3. Punahou (1) (8-4, 4-3 ILH) 67 4
> lost @ No. 3 ‘Iolani 48-45
> won @ Damien 65-32
> vs. Maryknoll, Tuesday
> @ Kamehameha, Thursday
4. ‘Iolani (8-5, 4-3 ILH) 64 3
> def. No. 4 Punahou 48-45
> lost to No. 1 Saint Louis 44-37
> def. @ Mid-Pacific 61-44
> @ Mid-Pacific, Tuesday
> vs. Damien, Thursday
5. Kamehameha (7-3, 4-3 ILH) 62 5
> def. No. 2 Maryknoll 50-47
> lost to Mid-Pacific 39-31
> @ Damien, Tuesday
> vs. Punahou, Thursday
> @ Saint Louis, Saturday
6. Kahuku (7-0, 7-0 OIA East) 61 6
> def. No. 10 Kalaheo 71-46
> def. Anuenue, forfeit
> @ Roosevelt, Tuesday
> vs. Farrington, Friday
7. Mililani (9-1, 7-0 OIA West) 49 7
> def. Waianae 73-31
> won @ Radford 74-32
> vs. Pearl City, Tuesday
> @ Aiea, Friday
8. Kailua (7-1, 7-0 OIA East) 35 8
> def. McKinley, forfeit
> won @ Kaimuki 53-30
> vs. Castle, Tuesday
> @ Kalaheo, Friday
9. Baldwin (7-2, 6-0 MIL) 13 9
> won @ King Kekaulike 91-68
> def. Maui 65-36
> vs. Lahainaluna, Tuesday
> vs. King Kekaulike, Thursday
10. Roosevelt (6-1, 6-1 OIA East) 7 NR
> def. Anuenue, forfeit
> won @ Farrington, 43-33
> vs. Kahuku, Tuesday
> vs. Moanalua, Friday
No longer in Top 10: Kalaheo (No. 10).
Also receiving votes: Maui Prep 4, Kalaheo 3, Kohala 3, Kaiser 2, Mid-Pacific 1.
Roosevelt getting outcoached in this one. Coach Akana is the real deal!
Agreed…