Girls basketball

There was a time, not so long ago, when LaToya Wily and Chico Furtado were not coaching counterparts. In fact, Wily was one of the top hoopsters in the state, and she departed from Kahuku to play at Furtado’s girls basketball juggernaut at Kalaheo for a season. Furtado, now coach at Maryknoll, remembers it clearly. “That was some crazy times. She played for me one summer with Hawaii Select. Then she came over after her freshman year. Leaving a community […]

Girls basketball preseason tipped off a couple of weeks ago, and though we’re not doing a girls basketball Top 10 just yet, this pupule brain is wrapping itself around what it saw at the McKinley Black and Gold Classic and a nonconference game between Kamehameha and Kaimuki. That was enough to stoke the fire a bit. This is not a ballot, but the beginning of one. Pupule BKG ballot 11/17/17 (Updated with more recent results) Teams listed in no particular […]

Sometimes, the learning curve has a few bumps along the route. Kamehameha, one of the contenders for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball title, is taking that bumpy ride with appreciation. Senior Kiana Vierra scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half as Kamehameha broke open a close game and rolled to a 52-31 win at Kaimuki on Thursday night. The UC Santa Barbara signee didn’t have to carry the load, even on a night when center […]

Progress can come in small doses, as it did for the McKinley Tigers. It can also arrive with wrecking-ball impact, and the Sacred Hearts Lancers would be the smashmouth basketball team that no group of petite defenders looks forward to. The Division II Lancers began the McKinley Black and Gold Tournament with a decisive 59-28 loss to defending D-I state champion Konawaena on Thursday. A day later, the Academy grinded out a 56-37 win over Farrington. By Saturday, their imprint […]

The Lady Falcons of Kalani have been on smooth street this week, if it was paved with sandpaper, that is. Coach Chi Mok and his team have endured some internal ripples, but like any family, they united as a single, potent force. The results showed on the hardwood on Saturday night as Kalani took an 11-6 lead on Punahou, lost the lead and battled back before losing 44-42 at the McKinley Black and Gold Classic. Kandyce Woods was the engine […]

The theme of girls basketball, at least at the McKinley Black and Gold Classic, seemed to be youth. As in team rosters light on seniors and heavy with underclassmen. That hasn’t been a detriment, though, especially for the ‘Iolani Raiders. With freshman Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu’s versatility at the forefront, the Raiders overpowered Farrington 62-35 on Saturday afternoon at McKinley Student Council Gym. ‘Iolani went 2-1 in the tourney, enjoying an early scoring explosion from senior Kellie Okamura, who scored all […]

The Lady Lunas really, really wanted to get a win. Especially facing the prospect of a winless trip to Honolulu. They got their wish on Saturday afternoon with a 50-42 victory over Kamehameha on the final day of the McKinley Black and Gold Classic. The senior backcourt of Braeanna Estabillo and Rachael Balagso led the day for the Maui Interscholastic League champions. Estabillo scored 20 points and Balagso added 10 for the Lady Lunas (1-2). “We’re still trying to figure […]

Revenge game, not quite. The Maryknoll Spartans, healthy, deep and talented, left no doubt about supremacy on Saturday afternoon with a 56-37 win over defending state champion Konawaena. The Spartans completed their run in the McKinley Black and Gold Classic with a 3-0 record. They went 2-0 at the Moanalua Peek Tournament, using reserves and junior-varsity players. Maryknoll has lost to Konawaena in the last two Division I state championship games. “The day belonged to us, but it’s November. Our […]