There’s no way to make everyone happy when it comes to our Star-Advertiser All-State selections. That’s one thing I’ve learned over the years.
This year is a little more interesting. Some folks actually asked me detailed questions about the All-State picks a week, two weeks ago, thinking that we published ours already. But no, our boys and girls basketball selections — voted on by coaches and media — will be released on Sunday morning.
Some people actually thought our picks were the same as ScoringLive.com. I mean, they think SL’s All-Hawaii team and the Star-Advertiser All-State team are one and the same. So I gently corrected them. I don’t know how many other people are assuming the same thing. But from what I can piece together without having looked at the SL selections, our list is significantly different. That’s fine. Different is good.
This isn’t just about other all-state lists, though. It’s about this: when coaches sit down in a conference room to determine All-League picks, it’s painful. Nothing is easy in this kind of thing, even with all the available statistics. It’s not an exact science.
So I rarely look at all-league picks. Over the past 24 years, I’ve experienced too many lopsided lists by coaches, and it doesn’t really help me as an All-State voter when the coaches are looking strictly at league play — not preseason/nonconference and postseason/state tournament performances.
Besides, I’ve heard one too many tales of certain positions in various sports being log-jammed, and coaches then “negotiating” and trading off the ties. A you-give-me-this and I’ll-give-you-that scenario. Doesn’t make the coaches wrong. But that’s the gist of these things. Nothing is easy and human nature often prevails.
It’s one reason, many years ago, we installed a Fab 15 format for basketball and volleyball rather than position selections. Slicing things up strictly by position is a must in football, baseball and softball. But in most other sports, the game has evolved, and a pure listing and ranking is fundamentally stronger.
That being said, I always appreciate the coaches who do vote in the process of All-State balloting. Some of them even voted in the All-Defensive team and Most Improved Player selections. I’ll post those results here on the blog in the morning.
For now, there’s one good byproduct after the process is pau: I often feel refreshed about the amount of talent we have in the islands. Some years more than others, but this year gives me hope that the upswing in the current talent cycle — particularly in girls basketball — is real.
Anyone going on to college? Is UH looking at anyone?
Just read the Star Advertiser boys basketball selection and couldn’t believe that kid Caleb Gilmore was a 7th selection here in Hawaii. By far the most talented kid here when it comes to playing at the top level. Not even close and I’m not hating on any of these kids. Gilmore needs to get a little bigger but I’m sure that will come. Does things on the court those kids voted ahead of him wish they good display on the court. Burnett and McEnroe top 2 players. Both are very good talent and dunkers but not very fundamentally sound. The two guards voted ahead of him, “Really” I know for sure UH is looking at Gilmore. Good Luck Kid.. May want to take your talents to the mainland. Heard some talks about him transferring for his senior year.
Steve, you are so right. Kaleb is and exceptional basketball player. Burnett was the player of the year but not the best player on his team. I thought Kaleb was easily the player of the year. A couple of guys from the OIA were voted ahead of him. If he or Burnett played in the OIA they would of completely tore the league to pieces.
Jalen Carvalho #5 Did well to deserve the 5th spot! @ 6’3″ Excellent ball skills, one of the best “pure shooters” in the state and can jump out of the Gym! “Handles the rock”…great team player!
Lead the state in scoring 28.9 ppg.
Heard a bunch of schools are after him in Oregon, Washington, Cali, Montana and Hawaii!!!!
Got word that Jalen Carvalho will be signing the Dotted line “Letter of Intent” on April 22nd.
Both kids have talent. But the award is PLAYER not Volume shooter of the year. Both Burnett and McEnroe are also All-State defense. Both made their teams better without shooting. How many shots did the VSOY’s take with teammates wide open. Gilmore shot twice as much as Burnett an still scored less in most of maryknoll’s games. (See scoringlive) Why didn’t Jalen put all his BIG ISLAND ONLY 28 point a games on scoringlive? one game shows 27 points on 10-27 total, 4-13 from three, 3/7 FT, 10 rebs and ZERO assists.
“Both are vsoy” what stats are you looking at. I happen to have the final stats with me and doesnt show no such thing.. I have a friend who is a college coach and asked for the final stats. Scorelive stats are honestly all over the place. I have them also. Burnett did shoot alot of freethrow which doesnt show a field goal attempt. Had alot of plays designed for him. Gilmore pretty much didnt need plays ran for him. Only watched 4 to 5 games and wish Gilmore would of shot more. Didnt see what you claimed and i been in this game for 28years. I think both kids would of benifited greatly with a better coach. Someone told me they had a 6″10 and 6″7 big guys last season and didnt win states. Back in the mainland he would of been fired. you also talked. about defense. Both boys did reach alot. By my stats looks like Gilmore led the league in steal. I did enjoy watching Mcenroe play some tough hard nose defense. Anyway enjoyed watching both boys play and thought Gilmore was ready for big time things. Wish I was back in coaching..
Both are VSOY….. Stop hateing on a kid that you didnt see and only
Saw a “one game stat line” that may not be legit!
Voice of reason2 was only pumping up a kid he knew….. Not bashing anyone!
I looked up Jalen Carvalho on “youtube” i think that would help to get a
Better picture.
These kids work hard to deserve this honor “dont bash them”….. Just because
They dont have stats on “one” website” doesnt mean he or she doesnt deserve it.
Bottom line….. Its done that kid was voted in by coaches and media who saw
To justify his or there ranking!
…..and hes getting a free education from what it looks like (oregon, wash,
Cali and montana?)….. Hes gotta know a little bit about playing basketball
Sean Ogata (Maryknoll) and Noel Bueno (Mililani) deserved some consideration for All-Defense. Notable snub for the girls was Lindsey Bates. Another Snub was Jerri Maluyo for Leilehua. Also I don’t get the extreme love for Zach Buscher. Not knocking him being in the Fav 15, just not top three overall. Ikaika Phillip was easily the best player for Iolani this season.
Some other head scratchers are Isaiah Visoria. He was good, but had off nights and wasn’t a true No. 2 option to McEnroe most of the time. Jaycob Smith (KSK) or Justin Kam (PUN) look like better options.
You have the final Stats? What are they? Scoringlive does not have every game. Mostly points, but game with extended stats do show a volume shooter for Gilmore. Agree on the coach statement. Maryknoll needed a point guard, maybe Isaiah Smith (farr) or T Powell (radford) that left team. Was that a coaching issue as well? The games I saw Gilmore was allow to go one on three alot. I saw last game again campbell, Maryknoll moved the ball alot better without Gilmore. I saw where his father said burnett avg 27 points, 12 reb, 2.5 stl in the state tour. How many shots did this take steve?
Would you like five Gilmores on your team? or five Burnetts or five McEnroes? What TEAM would WIN? This questions make you look at the whole player not just scoring.
BOTH ARE VSOY ~
Does Jalen have to post his own scores to justify his fab15? Do all kids post there own stats? Reely?
Just giving props not trying to bash any kid (on our off the Fab15)
Got Fab #5 Jalen Carvalho’s totals from the local Tribune herald paper on the Big Island….
28.9 ppg
8.8 rpg
3.1 apg
2.1 spg
40% FG
39% 3FG
82% FT
Just cant understand how a guy that seems to dribble the ball off his foot several times a game is MVP in Hawaii. Was kind of uncoordinated! Watched burnett play against Stanley Johnson from Mater Dei and was very excited to see what he could do against and elite guard. It was very bad.. Couldn’t get his shot off and was pushed around. I felt very bad for him.. Didn’t know Gilmore that much during that time and wondered why. He and Johnson battled. I remember standing next to both kids after the game and Johnson asked Gilmore where he was from, Gilmore said Hawaii and the kid asked again ‘where are you from in the mainland and Gilmore laughed and again said born and raised here in Hawaii. Loved it! Don’t get me wrong people, burnett is one of the best talents here this year but Kaleb was the leader and best player in Hawaii. I like McEnroe also but needed four more inches and would of been recruited by every college in America because he plays with his heart. To bad he has to play guard at the next level. Not a very good shooter or ball handler. Just saying People
Voice of reason2 Just read your post. Didn’t know or see much of Carvalho but that’s some impressive stats. Wish the field goal percentage could of been higher due to playing in a weak league. The three point percentage is solid. Just took a look at his youtube highlights. Not bad! Did he ever play against Gilmore, Burnett or Mcenroe
Unfortunately he could not play with or against Gilmore, burnett or Mcenroe…..but he did play in the San Diego Preseason tourney (Torey Pines) formerly known as the Under-armor tourney where there are alot of great players and D1 signees.
Got these stats from local paper (tribune herald)
He played 4 games, efficiently led team in all categories and broke the prestigious avg scoring record for the tourney!
Coronado ~ 25pts, 8 reb, 3 asst
Wasila ~ 42pts, 6 reb, 4 asst
Ranch Buena Vista ~ 39pts , 13reb, 5 assist
Alaska ~ 28 pts, 6 reb, 3 asst
Its’ tough being on the neighbor islands…as we all know the Oahu baller’s have alot more attention and competition….but it doesn’t mean Islands like Maui, Hawaii, Kauai or even Molokai don’t have nice players that could compete at high levels.
Congratulations to all the FAB 15 as well as the honorable mention baller’s…..what an honor!
My stats were a little off on Jalen…check this article below and/or google his name:
http://westhawaiitoday.com/sports/local-sports/all-biif-division-i-basketball-hilo-senior-jalen-carvalho-picked-player-year
I’m not from Hawaii people. I just happened to see a player I thought was a great player in Gilmore. Only been here and year and half. just wonder why he didn’t get recongnized for his talent. I did see the Campbell game. You must not be a ball player to think Campbell put and effort into that game. They really didn’t want to be out there. They didn’t care..! basketball people would know this.. Stop hating on this kid.. Burnett and his Father cared as he shouted out his every point. Basketball people know the best talent. Your a Fan! I happened to like the burnett kid also but need work as they all do. Gilmore is a point guard. A scoring point guard. That’s what point guard look like these days. Good Bye people out of here in Two weeks.
Leading scoring and top five DEFENDER in best division WON right. Why so much HATER-RADE. Gilmore is a top two scorer not TOP. Maybe he will stay and lead his team in scoring and defense next year like a BALLER and PLAYER of YEAR. He was first team not second, I would agree. Jalen’s numbers say first team. Stop hating on him. Bush is the ??? for me. Phillips was a better player.
There’s no volume shooters in Kelly Grant Maryknoll system. Boring!! Only time they really were exciting was when Burnett was dunking the ball or Gilmore splitting Defense with his quickness or hitting three’s. Coaching was horrible.. Watched most of Maryknoll games and they both had to shoot the ball with those terrible offensive sets. Burnett came a long way from his sophomore and junior year. Gilmore has been leading this team since a freshman. Gilmore really led the team last year when they had the two Big guys. They Both should be MVP
Burnett cant be the best. If he could’nt even lead his. Team to the finals the last 2 years. Plus the Spartans lost there No.1 seed. By losing to Iolani. Back 2 back games at home! Is it his fault or Grant? So even though i dislike. Iolani’s game. I gotta give them there props. Because besides the Govs & Sabre’s, They were the hottest team & won another state title! So i would rank McEnroe above Burnett. Cuz i still have questions. About Burnett’s attitude & leadership skills!!!
Fab15, POY, All Defensive Team…… Congrats to all the players who got recognized. Sorry to the players that got shafted. Sadly, this debate will happen every year when the All-Star Teams are announced. It’s said that the Fab15 is voted by coaches and media, but who really knows how the teams are selected. Who are the actual people voting? Can a coach from the Big Island really give an honest, educated vote on the 15 best players in the State? The same can be said for a sports writer that only watches games on Oahu. This has never been an exact science and it never will be. Just be happy for the kids that are selected and move on.
Good points Sam! That is so true.
Even if your a coach “on the same island” as your own voting…most coaches see a player 1 time (maybe 2x) throughout the season, how could a coach give an honest objective opinion or vote? What if that “one time” is an off night?….again, good points!
Yes good points Sam, I think the College coaches and former players along with the old timers like Artie Wilson, Coach Sellito, should have a vote. They are basketball people that will judge without bias. They would observed every kid from every island. They wouldn’t pay attention to parents that post there kids stats or befriend the media or coaches. I also am a former player and college grad and My Player of the year and top five were different. The talent was not very impressive in a few conferences that probably hurt some kids chances. Those Old timers and former players know and will find the best talent anywhere. There was and all Defense team. Didn’t see one kid in Hawaii that really played great defense. I observed a few players that played hard with great hands but not positioned defense. I guess that was the coaches and media way of putting a stamp on why they chose certain players. NOT! Hawaii is football not basketball..
What many of you bloggers…critics…etc…fail to remember is that all of these kids are amazing athletes who do not deserve your criticism… They work hard and play hard… My son (Jacob McEnroe) had one hell of a season but it’s not his stats or accolades that I am most proud of… It’s his attitude, demeanor and leadership on the court that comes from
maturity…. He will be playing ball in the next level… But more importantly he will be getting a free education thanks to his hard work and dedication as a student athlete… Congratulations to all athletes for an amazing and exciting season of basketball!!
Well Said Mr. McEnroe!
Outstanding job to all the student athletes! Well Said Mr. McEnroe! Their dedication, maturity, and willingness to come together as a cohesive team will pay great dividends in whatever challenge life brings next. So proud of our son Gilbert Jr. Dayanan, for his hard work, leadership and team play. Congratulations to all the players!