Boys basketball

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Latest news

Grit and growth: Moanalua’s upset win over Mililani

By Paul Honda on February 7, 2023

A couple of late-season losses did nothing to dampen Moanalua’s confidence. Na Menehune was the sixth-place team in the OIA playoffs, the final qualifier for the state tournament, and made their opportunity pay off with a stunning 60-56 win over Mililani on Monday night. First, here’s what in store for Wednesday. So many good games, so little time. Wednesday, Feb. 8 HHSAA Quarterfinals At Moanalua Moanalua (16-10) vs. Kamehameha-Hawaii (13-8), 5 p.m. Kailua (22-5) vs. Saint Louis (24-7), 7 p.m. […]

All that drama: the ILH’s basketball tiebreaker maze

By Paul Honda on January 25, 2023

The tiebreakers and playoff formats of the ILH and OIA are so different. They do serve their purposes, of course. In the OIA, where there is no automatic state berth for regular-season supremacy, it all comes down the the playoffs. For years now, the top two teams in the OIA West and East have earned first-round byes, homecourt advantage and the the edge in fresh legs, all because opening-round teams have only 24 hours to rest before the quarterfinal round. […]

Montverde’s Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn wins ‘Iolani Classic dunk title

By Paul Honda on December 20, 2022

Even in borrowed shoes, Montverde guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn has no problem with extraterrestrial flight. The 6-foot senior wowed the audience on Monday night with a series of dunks, including one over a teammate and four keiki fans, to win the slam dunk contest at the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. He did it with shoes that were borrowed by a teammate from another teammate. The team, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, had already been on Oahu for a few […]


Young Crusaders power No. 4 Saint Louis over No. 9 Moanalua

By Paul Honda on December 2, 2022

There’s a bit of the old and a bit of the new on display at the James Alegre Invitational this week. Fourth-ranked Saint Louis got off to a strong start with a 48-33 win over No. 9 Moanalua on Thursday. The Crusaders started three sophomores and two juniors, including a few who were contributors to last year’s state-championship run. No. 3 Punahou nearly doubled Lahainaluna in an 80-41 win, while Leilehua jolted Mid-Pacific, 71-29. Mililani prevailed over McKinley, 58-20, and […]

Kamehameha, ‘Iolani, Campbell, Kailua advance

By Paul Honda on December 2, 2022

The youth brigade at Kamehameha plays like a crew of seniors. The sixth-ranked Warriors took command in the third quarter en route to a 63-44 win over King Kekaulike on Thursday night at the Surfrider Holiday Classic. Coach Larry Park’s starting lineup is comprised of three sophomores and two juniors. In other games, No. 2 ‘Iolani overpowered Roosevelt, 53-32, Campbell defeated Damien, 63-30, and No. 7 Kailua nearly doubled Waialua, 76-39. See more in Thursday’s Star-Advertiser. Friday, Dec. 2 Surfrider […]

JJ Mandaquit at USA Junior National tryouts this weekend

By Paul Honda on October 7, 2022

A year ago, JJ Mandaquit was entering his freshman season at ‘Iolani. Then a 6-foot-1, 160-pound guard, Mandaquit went on to earn Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 honors, voted No. 3 by coaches and media. Today, he is one step away from playing for Team USA. Now 6-2 and 180 pounds, Mandaquit is one of 20 players invited to compete for a spot on the USA Basketball Junior (15-under) National Team mini-camp, which began on Friday and ends Monday. Two years […]

JJ, Jaety Mandaquit transferring to RSL Academy in Utah

By Paul Honda on June 22, 2022

It was a matter of time for JJ Mandaquit. The standout ‘Iolani freshman hoopster is moving to Utah with his family and will enroll at Real Salt Lake Academy for his sophomore year. RSL is a tuition-free charter school in Herriman, Utah, with an enrollment of approximately 500. During his freshman season, the 6-foot-1 guard led the Raiders to the semifinal round of the state championships. He was voted No. 3 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 during a year […]

Boys Hoops All-State Fab 15, Aiva Arquette, All-Defense and more

By Paul Honda on April 13, 2022

Here’s a boatload of insights from coaches regarding the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball All-State Fab 15, All-Defense and much more. The selections were made by a panel of coaches and media. >> Coach of the year: Dan Hale, Saint Louis Star-Advertiser: In year three, Hale’s program reached the pinnacle, taking the ILH and Division I state titles. The Crusaders went 20-2 overall, capturing their first basketball state crown since 1986. Larry Park, Kamehameha: “Dan has done a great job building a […]

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