2016 DECEMBER 08 SPT HSA photo by Cindy Ellen Russell crussell@staradvertiser.com
The tumble downhill can be unnerving.
The bumps and bruises, the strawberries and scratches when a No. 1 team, a defending champion, finds itself no longer in the stratosphere of immortals. To err is to be human and, boy, are the Konawaena Wildcats human.
A year removed from the supernatural career of Chanelle Molina (Washington State), the Wildcats came to the ‘Iolani Classic 7-0 with two titles in hand after winning tournaments at Lahainaluna and Waiakea. However, there was barely a semblance to that unbeaten team, and certainly to that two-time defending state champ.
The nation’s No. 2 team, Archbishop Mitty (Calif.), walloped Konawaena, and a day later, Salesian — which had lost to ‘Iolani 57-45 in the opening round — routed the Wildcats 57-32.
And so, the shuffle resumes in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10.
Below, today’s Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10 along with my ballot position for each team.
1. Maryknoll Spartans (15-1, 3-0 ILH). Pupule ballot: No. 1.
The skinny: The Lady Spartans entered the ‘Iolani Classic 13-0 and came away with one loss, 67-58, to the country’s No. 9 team, Clovis West (Calif.). They were close for a half (32-27), but the loss of Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole (ankle) hurt, and Clovis West was overpowering in the second half, building a 21-point lead. In the final equation, it was an impressive performance by Clovis West, which nearly won the tournament, losing to Archbishop Mitty 76-75 in overtime. If the Spartans have a healthy lineup, maybe it’s still a nine-point loss. Maybe Clovis West keeps its starting lineup in the game during those final minutes, and Maryknoll still loses by just nine. Maryknoll went on to rout Leilehua and then edge Salesian 48-47 in the fifth-place game.
They’re 15-0 against in-state competition, beat a team that Konawaena lost to by 25. Logic dictates that Maryknoll supplants Konawaena atop the rankings. So does the eye test, head-to-head results — two ILH wins over ‘Iolani, a win over Punahou and another over Kamehameha.
X factor: Center Isabella Cravens went down with a knee injury against Salesian. She has been the most formidable post defender I’ve seen this season and she’s on the cusp of becoming a useful scorer on the low post. You can the development coming. But if this is a serious injury, it changes the complexion of this team. They have plenty of depth. They could have any of their forwards step up as a center in zone when necessary, but they primarily play man defense anyway and can use a lot of help-side rotation. But losing Cravens would be like the Pelicans losing Anthony Davis or the Clippers losing DeAndre Jordan. Irreplaceable.
Versus Top 10: 6-1
Top 10 wins
W 38-33 Lahainaluna 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
W 60-52 ‘Iolani 11/26
W 57-49 Punahou 11/29
W 50-40 @ ‘Iolani 12/5
W 57-27 Leilehua 12/9 (‘Iolani Classic)
W 48-47 *Salesian (Calif.) 12/10 (‘Iolani Classic)
Top 10 losses
L 67-58 Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) 12/8 (USA Today No. 9)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 55-43 Kaimuki 11/10 (McKinley tournament)
W 50-44 Kalani 11/11 (McKinley tournament)
W 84-40 Campbell 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
W 56-17 Honokaa 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
W 48-19 Radford 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
W 60-14 Kaiser 11/14
W 74-21 Moanalua 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
W 45-29 Mid-Pacific 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
W 54-20 Kaiser 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
2. Konawaena Wildcats (8-3). Pupule ballot: No. 5.
The skinny: On paper, the Wildcats are unbeaten against in-state opponents. But until some key players truly step up on both ends of the floor, until their complementary players become more consistent, until they stop turning the ball over against tough on-ball defense, it is hard to justify voting for Konawaena higher than No. 5. They lost to Salesian by 25 points, while Maryknoll beat them by one and ‘Iolani defeated them by 12. Had the Wildcats beaten Salesian, that would’ve set up a fitting Konawaena-Maryknoll rematch of last year’s state tourney, and the top two teams in Hawaii. It was not to be. Still, the ‘Cats have yet to lose in-state yet.
Konawaena, as Coach Bobbie Awa said, will bounce back, get stronger and better and compete for a state title again. I don’t doubt her, ever. But right now, based on results, head-to-head, common opponents and, ultimately, the eye test, the Wildcats are playing the fifth-best basketball in the state.
X factor: When Celena Jane Molina attacks defenses more, she is virtually unstoppable. The 5-9 senior (and multiple All-State selection) is talented enough to be a Top 3 player in the state. Every taller, bigger defender has to worry about Molina’s quickness. That first step. Against Archbishop Mitty and Salesian, she drove two to three times. That was it. She deferred to teammates and blended into the environment. It’s like she forgot how to use a jab step and pump fake. What happened to that eye of the tiger? What have you done with our Celena Jane Molina and where is she? This is something Coach Awa has usually been a maester at: extracting the most out of every player’s potential in a way that contributes most to a league and state championship route. The last time I saw a uber-talented Wildcat play like a role player instead of an alpha was more than a decade ago. Nancy Hoist eventually stepped up to become a fierce contributor and All-State player for Konawaena’s early state title teams.
Versus Top 10: 4-2
Top 10 wins
W 48-23 Mililani 11/17 (Waiakea Invitational)
W 50-23 Leilehua 11/18 (Waiakea Invitational)
W Lahainaluna 11/26 (Lahainaluna tournament)
W 47-25 Leilehua 12/10 (‘Iolani Classic)
Top 10 losses
L 79-39 Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) 12/8 (‘Iolani Classic) (USA Today No. 2)
L 57-32 *Salesian (Calif.) 12/9 (‘Iolani Classic)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 65-17 Kamehameha-Maui 11/24 (Lahainaluna tournament
W Baldwin 11/25 (Lahainaluna tournament)
W 65-33 Waiakea 12/3
Non-Top 10 losses
No. 3 ‘Iolani Raiders (7-4, 2-2 ILH). Pupule ballot: No. 2.
The skinny: How can this be after the Raiders lost to Maryknoll twice already? Here’s The Case for the Raiders at No. 2: Both games were fairly close, 50-42 and 50-40. That’s saying a lot for a team that performed so well against everyone else, including their foes at the ‘Iolani Classic. Though they lost twice, one was against goliath Archbishop Mitty and the Raiders were competitive against USA Today No. 14 Long Beach Poly.
The strongest evidence: ‘Iolani toppled Salesian by 12 while Konawaena lost to Salesian by 25. That’s too big a difference to ignore.
I don’t know how long ‘Iolani will stay at No. 2 on my ballot of Hawaii teams. They don’t have a massive post rotation. They don’t have a rim protector. They’re smallish. Sometimes they take wild shots. However, most of the time, their five-out offense is extremely difficult to stop, and it might be tougher now that the Classic — and its 30-second shot clock — are over for the season. Right now, only one team is playing consistently better, so the Raiders own this spot on my list. For now.
X factor: The Raiders defy convention, going man defense against taller, longer opponents. Having few problems getting shots with a 30-second clock against mainland teams. Stall ball and ‘Iolani basketball — on the boys side — used to be inseparable notions. Now I wonder if the girls are even capable of running time of a clock in close games. It takes a special team to be able to play any style of ball. The jury is still out.
Versus Top 10: 2-4
Top 10 wins
W 44-40 Punahou 12/6
W 57-45 *Salesian (Calif.)
Top 10 losses
L 60-52 @ Maryknoll 11/26
L 50-40 Maryknoll 12/5
L 67-33 *Archbishop Mitty 12/9 (USA Today No. 2)
L 58-45 *Long Beach Poly 12/10 (USA Today No. 14)
4. Lahainaluna Lunas (3-2, 1-0 MIL). Pupule ballot: No. 6.
The skinny: This is, for the fans who like to see how programs sustain success over the years, a particularly interesting time to watch Lahainaluna and Konawaena. Both programs rely on strong, not necessarily large, feeder programs. Neither school is enormous by any means. Now both have much to prove with largely unknown newcomers. Even with that, the Lady Lunas gave Maryknoll a difficult time with a minimum of active players early in preseason.
The Lady Lunas have just one Top 10 win, but they pushed Maryknoll and Kamehameha to the hilt with just five available players.
X factor: Coach Todd Rickard and his staff have generated more out of less — less population base, less enrollment, and until the past decade-plus, no dominant tradition of winning — as well as any program in the state with the exception of Konawaena. More than any season in recent memory, the title chase is wide open. Where any team starts is irrelevant, meaning Lahainaluna could end up standing with the championship koa trophy by season’s end and it really shouldn’t surprise anybody. The Lady Lunas aren’t the favorite — that would be Maryknoll — but there is just not a lot of separation, as Lahainaluna showed.
Versus Top 10: 1-3
Top 10 wins
W 51-37 Leilehua 11/25
Top 10 losses
L 38-33 Maryknoll 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
L 33-25 Kamehameha 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
L Konawaena 11/26 (Lahainaluna tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 40-26 Radford 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
5. Punahou Buffanblu (7-3, 2-2 ILH). Pupule ballot: No. 4.
The skinny: Kamehameha and Punahou could flip flop spots for the rest of the season. It’s that close. One factor against Punahou is the way they just couldn’t stay with Maryknoll a couple of weeks ago. Had they played closer, I’d probably bump them ahead of the Warriors. Kamehameha hasn’t played Maryknoll or even ‘Iolani yet.
X factor: Intensity level and sense of urgency varies with this team, not just from game to game, but quarter to quarter. Maybe too many players are expecting Kamaile Kandiah to turn it on all the time, but she’s only (super) human. At some point, coaches can say only so much. I don’t know if this team has the grit it takes in a brutal ILH — they had lots of it during the dynasty years — but it’s very early in the season.
Versus Top 10: 1-3
Top 10 wins
W 56-45 Kamehameha 11/26
Top 10 losses
L @ Maryknoll 57-39 11/29
L Kamehameha 51-49 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
L @ ‘Iolani 44-40 12/6
Non-Top 10 wins
W 54-25 McKinley 11/10 (McKinley tournament)
W 55-33 Honokaa 11/11 (McKinley tournament)
W 47-29 Kalani 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
W 57-33 Kalani 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
W 66-31 Moanalua 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
W 45-40 Sacred Hearts 12/10
Non-Top 10 losses
6. Kamehameha Warriors (10-1, 1-1 ILH). Pupule ballot: No. 3.
The skinny: The Warriors have split with Punahou and beaten Lahainaluna. The Punahou split is worth discussion. Punahou’s win over Kamehameha counted in the ILH standings. Kamehameha’s win over Punahou was at the Kaiser tournament. There’s that. But for me, it’s a split. Either you beat your opponent or you don’t. Kamehameha gets the edge (barely) because they’re 10-1. Nobody else has beaten them. Yet. And they pass the eye test with PG Mikiala Maio and C Kaila Obrey.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 2-1
Top 10 wins
W 33-25 Lahainaluna 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
W 51-49 Punahou 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
Top 10 losses
L 56-45 @ Punahou 11/26
Non-Top 10 wins
W 60-18 Kalaheo 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
W 68-28 Moanalua 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
W 45-26 @ Farrington 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
W 65-44 @ Kalani 11/19
W 62-43 @ Nanakuli 11/22
W 54-40 Sacred Hearts 11/29
W 62-22 @ Kaiser 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
W 44-19 Mid-Pacific 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
7. Hilo Vikings (3-0). Pupule ballot: No. 8.
The skinny: Very similar to Waiakea — a win over a (previously) ranked foe (Leilehua), but I give an edge to the Viks for their success in recent seasons. That’ll work for this week, anyway.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 1-0
Top 10 wins
W 56-47 Leilehua 11/17 (Waiakea Invitational)
Top 10 losses
Non-Top 10 wins
W 40-23 Honokaa 11/17 (Waiakea tournament)
W 46-32 Campbell 12/2 (HPA tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
8. Mililani Trojans (6-2). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny: The Lady Trojans are locked in at No. 8 in the Top 10, but they’ve been idle (from the results I’ve seen) and still haven’t beaten a ranked team yet. Some coaches prefer to see their teams linger outside the rankings, but there’s something to be said for being in the lower two or three spots. Just enough respect to feel some mojo, and just low enough to feel, maybe, a bit slighted.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 0-1
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 48-23 Konawaena (Waiakea tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 52-39 @ Kaimuki 11/9
W 71-29 Hanalani 11/10 (Nanakuli tournament)
W 52-27 Roosevelt 11/11 (Nanakuli tournament
W 61-32 Roosevelt 11/12
W 47-28 @ Nanakuli 11/12
W 57-27 Honokaa 11/18 (Waiakea tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
L 52-41 @ Nanakuli 11/12 (Nanakuli tournament)
9. Hawaii Baptist Eagles (6-1, 1-0 ILH D-II). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny: Oh, yes, it would’ve been fascinating to see the hustling Eagles take on a Top 10 team this preseason. Just one. Two would’ve been great. HBA and other mid-level enrollment, private schools with solid basketball programs are going to be very competitive thanks to work ethic and coaching. HBA beat Roosevelt, Kaiser and Kaimuki, which is fine. But in reality, they’re all programs at around the same level. We have our classification labels, but public schools go through extreme levels of volatility (Roosevelt), sometimes from year to year regardless which divisional tag is placed on them. So is it an upset when HBA beats Kaimuki? No. That’s one of the intriguing aspects of any program (in almost any sport) that is truly a Division 1.5. Like ‘Iolani football.
X factor: If the Eagles get past much improved Le Jardin and struggling Hawaiian Mission, as expected, it’ll be showdown time with Mid-Pacific on Dec. 17.
Versus Top 10: 0-0
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
Non-Top 10 wins
W 56-48 Kamehameha I-AA 11/11
W 46-29 Roosevelt 11/19
W 44-34 Kaiser 11/25 (St. Francis tournament)
W 39-31 Kaimuki 11/26 (St. Francis tournament)
W 52-29 ‘Iolani I-AA 11/26 (St. Francis tournament)
W 65-13 Island Pacific 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 43-28 Sacred Hearts 11/19
10. Leilehua Mules (6-8, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny: Like many successful programs this season, Coach Elroy Dumlao and his staff have much work to do, and they will love the process. There’s much to like, especially with guard Kaylen Kamelamela and 3-point shooting shot blocker Abigail Flores.
X factor: The Lady Mules had their share of struggles against on-ball defense in the backcourt during the ‘Iolani Classic.
Versus Top 10: 0-6
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 50-23 Konawaena 11/18 (Waiakea Invitational)
L 56-47 Hilo 11/19 (Waiakea Invitational)
L 51-37 Lahainaluna 11/25 (Lahainaluna tournament)
L 81-31 Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 12/8 (‘Iolani Classic) (USA Today No. 14)
L 57-27 Maryknoll 12/9 (‘Iolani Classic)
L 47-25 Konawaena 12/10 (‘Iolani Classic)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 43-16 Castle 11/5
W 46-33 Kaiser 11/12
W 36-29 Kaimuki 11/22
W 36-18 Maui 11/25 (Lahainaluna tournament)
W 47-45 Kamehameha-Hawaii 11/26 (Lahainaluna tournament)
W 60-10 @ Aiea 12/6
Non-Top 10 losses
L 51-35 Waiakea 11/17 (Waiakea tournament)
L 52-46 Kalani 11/30
## Sacred Hearts (5-4, 0-1 ILH). Pupule ballot: No. 7.
The skinny: The logic of voters isn’t normally impossible to figure out when it comes to polls, especially high school rankings. In this case, though, it makes no sense that the Lancers are outside the Top 10. The resume of SHA, along with other girls and boys teams that are stacked with victories over unranked teams, isn’t overly impressive. But one key factor that separates this resume from many others is this: Sacred Hearts actually has a win over a Top 10 team. In fact, they won at Hawaii Baptist by 15 points.
They pushed ‘Iolani and Punahou to the hilt in 3- and 5-point losses. This is not the Sacred Hearts that was overmatched and forced into Division I by obscure ILH rules that treat D-1.5 teams like unwanted orphans. This team is ready to compete and has been prepared by a dedicated coach and staff. It’s not a fluke, and I’m speaking you Top 10 voters who don’t even bother looking at results. How Sacred Hearts has been underrated and outpointed by teams like Leilehua (0-6 vs. Top 10 teams) and HBA (no games against Top 10 teams) is probably proof that panelists who don’t even like girls basketball are voting off the top of their heads.
There’s no denying that Leilehua is good enough to qualify for the state tournament with one of the OIA’s six berths. Or that HBA would be a tough competitor in ILH D-I if it came to that. I don’t even know for sure if Sacred Hearts could beat HBA again, though winning 43-28 in the Eagles’ gym kind of has a way of convincing most people with common sense. The head-to-head thing, one of the top tiebreakers used by most professional leagues and college conferences.
I nag about this not because I have a better ballot — there is not much science to this unless we want to use a Sagarin formula — but because my fellow voters are being lazy. Period. And I’m going to debate any and all of them given the opportunity to see if each of them has a single iota of reasoning. This is whipped cream, voting in polls. But stuff like this makes me wonder if their version of it went stale about 12 years ago.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 1-3
Top 10 wins
W 43-28 @ Hawaii Baptist 11/19
Top 10 losses
L 54-40 @ Kamehameha 11/29
L 56-53 ‘Iolani 12/2
L 45-40 @ Punahou 12/10
Non-Top 10 wins
W 74-15 Aiea 11/8
W 55-52 Kalani 11/10 (McKinley tournament)
W 47-44 McKinley 11/11 (McKinley tournament)
W 45-40 Farrington 11/16
Non-Top 10 losses
L 35-24 Kaimuki 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
## Waiakea Warriors (5-2). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny: Finding their scores isn’t easy, but not only have the Warriors beaten Leilehua by 16, they also defeated Mililani. That’s TWO Top 10 wins. They have a stronger argument to be in the Top 10 than even Sacred Hearts. And to be higher than Hilo, which has just one win over a Top 10 opponent.
(I didn’t vote for Waiakea. Too many other tasks at hand and I didn’t do the homework in time for the voting deadline. If I could do my ballot over, it would have Waiakea at No. 7, Hilo at No. 8, Sacred Hearts at No. 9 and Kalani at No. 10.)
UPDATE 12/13 10 p.m. — According to a commenter (below), Mililani beat Waiakea, not vice-versa. Thank you for the correction.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 2-1
Top 10 wins
W 51-35 Leilehua 11/17
Top 10 losses
L 65-33 Konawaena 12/3
L 49-44 Mililani 11/19
Non-Top 10 wins
W 45-39 Kaiser 11/18
W 38-37 Kamehameha-Hawaii 12/1
W 64-26 Kohala 12/2
Non-Top 10 losses
## Kalani Falcons (6-5). Pupule ballot: No. 10.
The skinny: The Lady Falcons get the tiniest of edges over Mililani this week on my ballot because they actually have a win over a Top 10 foe (Leilehua), and it was on the Mules’ court. Mililani has racked up wins, but none of a ranked opponent. Yet.
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 1-4
Top 10 wins
W 52-46 @ Leilehua 11/30
Top 10 losses
L 50-44 Maryknoll 11/11 (McKinley tournament)
L 47-29 Punahou 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
L 65-44 Kamehameha 11/19
L 57-33 Punahou 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 58-19 @ Aiea 11/22
W 39-38 @ Radford 11/26
W 42-40 Kaiser 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
W 38-37 Farrington 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
W 54-36 Kalaheo 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 55-52 Sacred Hearts 11/10 (McKinley tournament)
## Farrington Governors (3-3, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny:
X factor:
Versus Top 10: 0-1
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 45-26 Kamehameha 11/17
Non-Top 10 wins
W 52-47 Mid-Pacific 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
W 52-25 Moanalua 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
W 60-30 @ Kailua 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 45-40 @ Sacred Hearts 11/16
L 38-37 Kalani 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
## Radford Rams (3-3, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-2
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 40-26 Lahainaluna 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
L 48-19 Maryknoll 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 52-50 @ Moanalua 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
W 33-28 @ Kaimuki 12/2
W 53-29 @ Waipahu 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 39-38 Kalani 11/26
## Mid-Pacific Owls (5-3, 2-0 ILH D-II). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-2
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 45-29 Maryknoll 12/2 (Kaiser tournament)
L 44-19 Kamehameha 12/3 (Kaiser tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 45-35 Campbell 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
W 64-18 Kalaheo 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
W 47-37 Moanalua 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
W 62-8 Christian Academy 11/29
W 37-21 Hanalani 12/10
Non-Top 10 losses
L 52-47 Farrington 12/1 (Kaiser tournament)
## ‘Iolani Raiders I-AA (5-1, 3-0 ILH D-II). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-1
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 52-29 Hawaii Baptist 11/26
Non-Top 10 wins
W 56-13 Punahou I-AA 11/21
W 52-34 McKinley 11/25 (St. Francis tournament
W 40-35 St. Francis 11/26 (St. Francis tournament)
W 62-22 Maryknoll I-AA 11/29
W 36-25 Kamehameha I-AA 12/7
Non-Top 10 losses
## St. Francis Saints (4-1, 2-0 ILH D-II). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-0
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
Non-Top 10 wins
W 39-28 Kauai 11/25
W 47-40 Kaimuki 11/26
W 53-9 Hawaiian Mission 11/29
W 45-16 University 12/10
Non-Top 10 losses
L 40-35 ‘Iolani I-AA 11/26
## Campbell Sabers (6-3, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-1
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 84-40 Maryknoll 11/11 (Moanalua tournament)
L 46-32 Hilo 12/2 (HPA tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 57-32 Kalaheo 11/12 (Moanalua tournament)
W 60-47 Kamehameha I-AA 11/16
W 64-29 @ Roosevelt 11/28
W 59-35 Ka‘u (HPA tournament)
W 50-29 Hawaii Prep (HPA tournament)
W 65-11 @ Pearl City 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 45-35 Mid-Pacific 11/10 (Moanalua tournament)
## Kaimuki Bulldogs (5-7, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-5
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 52-39 Mililani 11/9
L 55-43 Maryknoll 11/10
L 63-13 ‘Iolani 11/11
L 36-29 @ Leilehua 11/22
L 39-31 Hawaii Baptist 11/26 (St. Francis tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 54-35 Nanakuli 11/5
W 35-24 Sacred Hearts 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
W 41-26 Waipahu 11/15
W 52-29 Molokai 11/25
W 47-38 McKinley 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 47-40 @ St. Francis 11/26
L 33-28 Radford 12/2
## Nanakuli Golden Hawks (4-3, 1-0 OIA). Pupule ballot: unranked.
The skinny: Nice resume with a Top 10 win (Mililani), but the loss at unranked Kaimuki wasn’t close.
Versus Top 10: 1-2
Top 10 wins
W 52-41 Mililani 11/12
Top 10 losses
L 47-28 Mililani 11/12
L 62-43 Kamehameha 11/22
Non-Top 10 wins
W 50-33 Le Jardin 11/10
W 48-44 Kapolei 11/11
W 54-15 @ Waialua 12/8
Non-Top 10 losses
L 54-35 @ Kaimuki 11/5
## Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (3-2). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10: 0-1
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 47-45 Leilehua, 11/26 (Lahainaluna tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
W 50-30 Kaiser 11/17 (Waiakea tournament)
W 35-28 Honokaa 11/19 (Waiakea tournament)
W 41-35 Kapaa 12/3 (Konawaena tournament)
Non-Top 10 losses
L 38-37 Waiakea 12/1 (Konawaena tournament)
## Honokaa Dragons (0-6). Pupule ballot: unranked.
Versus Top 10:
Top 10 wins
Top 10 losses
L 60-26 ‘Iolani 11/10 (McKinley tournament)
L 55-33 Punahou 11/11 (McKinley tournament)
L 56-17 Maryknoll 11/12 (McKinley tournament)
L 40-23 Hilo 11/17 (Waiakea tournament)
L 57-27 Mililani 11/18 (Waiakea tournament)
Non-Top 10 wins
Non-Top 10 losses
L 35-28 Kamehameha-Hawaii 11/19 (Waiakea tournament)
Sorry Paul, but Mililani beat Waiakea at the Waiakea tournament by that same score: 49-44. Mililani was actually on the verge of blowing them out, until Waiakea had a nice run in the second half to cut it to single digits.
I disagree that the voters are being lazy, where I think more of the basis for the beginning portion of the season relies heavily on the recent history and reputation of each program. The contenders will truly start to separate from the pack as the season progresses.
In my humble opinion, I have Maryknoll at #1 because it seems that their strengths are Konawaena’s weaknesses, size (provided Bella is going to be ok) and depth.
Thank you. All corrections are welcome and needed!
X factor: Center Isabella Cravens went down with a knee injury against Salesian. She has been the most formidable post defender I’ve seen this season and she’s on the cusp of becoming a useful scorer on the low post. You can the development coming. But if this is a serious injury, it changes the complexion of this team. They have plenty of depth. They could have any of their forwards step up as a center in zone when necessary, but they primarily play man defense anyway and can use a lot of help-side rotation. But losing Cravens would be like the Pelicans losing Anthony Davis or the Clippers losing DeAndre Jordan. Irreplaceable.
I don’t think this kid is like the Pelican’s losing Davis. Without Cravens, Maryknoll still has Kamalu, Chayse, Omori, etc. They have a lot. Without Davis who does the Pelicans have? Buddy Hield?
And Davis is a versatile player. He can play fast, he can play slow. He can play on the perimeter and he can play inside. He can guards pick and rolls and switch. he can also stick his man. Cravens, while a nice player does not have this kind of versatility.
If Furtado wanted, he could play Chayse or Kamalu at the 5, play small ball, and no team in the state would touch them. If they play fast they would be more dangerous.
And for the record, I am saying the Punahou Head Coach is the worst HC I have seen in Hawaii in a long time if not ever.
Kamalu as a stretch 5 is what they do when Cravens is resting on the bench (pre-injury). But they’re not the same team defensively, and that’s what I was trying to say.
History shows Coach Furtado is more comfortable with a moderate pace and a strong defensive post. If he lets his small-ball unit run and run from start to finish, that would be a pleasant surprise.