Led by Pua‘ena Herrington and Serenity Tacgere, Team Indigo beat Team Burgundy, 50-39, in the final of the Mufi Hannemann Jamboree Saturday at ‘Iolani’s Father Bray Athletic Complex.
Coached by Punahou’s Elyse Umeda-Korth, the team was also comprised of Makenzie Alapai (Kamehameha), Rylie Ching (Kamehameha), Shaileah Hookahi-Bannister (Konawaena), Akemi Kawamata (Mililani), Clarilynn Mauai-Silifaiva (Nanakuli), Brielle Nueku (Damien), Callie Pieper (‘Iolani), Darsee Seegmiller (Maui) and Taina Tangaro (Kamehameha).
In addition to the assembly of top players from across the state, coaches and assistants were in friendly battle mode. The head coaches were former Mid-Pacific coach Sherice Ajifu (Team Black), Kaimuki’s Hali Travis (Team Blue), Kamehameha’s Pua Straight (Team Grey), Kamehameha I-AA’s Jadine Urasaki (Team Burgundy), former Hawaii Prep and Punahou coach Shawna Kuehu (Team Cardinal), current Mid-Pacific coach Juju Nomura (Team Pink), Mililani’ Jo Nicolas (Team Red), and Umeda-Korth.
Less than two weeks since guiding Kamehameha to a state champion, Straight enjoyed her day coaching experienced players like Haley Mafua of ‘Iolani and Punahou’s Pua Saole, down to freshmen and a middle schooler.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind. I was quite tired after the season, but definitely so much fun this season. Your competitive never really comes down and you know this is showcase, but the competitiveness is there,” she said.
For some coaches, eyes were on Aliamanu eighth grader Charlotte Galloway, a 6-foot-4 forward for Team Grey.
“I’ve seen her playing on the club side. She’s definitely got a ton of potential. She’s nice and athletic,” said Straight, who coached Team Gray. “She does a good job contesting shots. She’s a good rim protector. She impacted the games a lot. We actually put her in the middle of a zone just to see if we could keep her length by the basket.”
Galloway has applied to ‘Iolani and Punahou.
‘Iolani coach Dean Young made sure to see Galloway play on the Raiders’ home court.
“I really enjoyed how she protected the rim, altered shots and went after rebounds. Also, as an eighth grader, she played with a lot of poise against these older girls and took care of the ball. She showed intelligence,” said Young, whose program won five state titles in a row before losing to Kamehameha in the state final last week. “It’s really exciting to see her potential on the court and in the classroom. She reminds me of a young Cameron Brink when we played against her in the ‘Iolani Classic. Tall and lean, but had the ability to affect the game.”
The rarity of a basketball-first middle-school with height, length and athleticism has possibly opened up a chase.
“I’ve only watched her play a handful of times,” Punahou coach Elyse Umeda-Korth said. “But I know she’s extremely athletic and tall. She has a great family and she’s got a great head on her shoulders. We look at that more than anything.”
Galloway attended Punahou’s camp last summer.
“She’s coachable and she loved the camp. We’re hoping that she’ll be in blue and gold,” Umeda added. “She has great footwork. She also plays volleyball.”
The annual event include two who were missed during the season. Moanalua guard Rhea Nobleza suited up on Monday, playing for the first time since suffering a concussion during the OIA playoffs.
Pieper, who was an All-State selection in volleyball and skipped basketball to play club volleyball during the winter, signed with the University of Portland’s volleyball program. She was asked by the Jamboree to suit up on Monday, and she played with Team Indigo.
See video clips on IG (@HawaiiPrepWorld).
COMMENTS (0)