Honolulu Star-Advertiser Player of the Year: Kaleb Gilmore, Kalaheo Fab 15
Boys Basketball
All-State Fab 15
2014-15
Coach of the Year: Alika Smith, Kalaheo
Rank Name School Pos. Ht. Yr.
1. Kaleb Gilmore Kalaheo G 6-0 Sr.
2. Kupaa Harrison Kalaheo G/F 6-5 Sr.
3. Justice Sueing Jr. Maryknoll G/F 6-5 So.
4. J.B. Kam Punahou F 6-3 Sr.
5. Denhym Brooke Kahuku F 6-7 Sr.
6. Kevin Foster Roosevelt G 5-11 Sr.
7. Erik Yamada ‘Iolani G 6-1 Sr.
8. Kyrie McRaven Moanalua F/C 6-5 Sr.
9. Hyrum Harris Kahuku C 6-6 Sr.
10. Ranan Mamiya Farrington G 5-11 Sr.
11. Tolby Saito Pahoa G 5-9 Sr.
12. Jake Smith Farrington G 6-1 Sr.
13. Chance Kalaugher Kaiser F/C 6-5 Jr.
14t. Josh Chapital Lahainaluna G/F 6-0 Sr.
14t. Joseph Gouty Leilehua G 5-9 Jr.
Honorable mention
Samuta Avea, Kahuku
Hugh Hogland, ‘Iolani
Jimmy Nunuha III, Saint Louis
Dayson Watanabe, Punahou
Kekai Smith, Kalaheo
Jordan Tanuvasa, Punahou
Keanu Akina, Kahuku
Jomar Gapusan, Campbell
B.J. Hosaka, Hawaii Baptist
Abdel-Dader Ziane, Kapolei
Cyrus Kama, Lahainaluna
Keoua Mahiko, Kaiser
Dan Villejo, McKinley
Fatu Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha
Tristan Nichols, Maui
Zach Gelacio, ‘Iolani
Lamart Dudley, Campbell
Ihaka Johnson, Saint Louis
Robby Mann, ‘Iolani
Kanawai Noa, Punahou
Michael Merchant, Campbell
Kealen Figueroa, Kohala
Keinan Agonias, Pahoa
Pukana Vincent, KS-Hawaii
David Benevedes, Castle
Alex Tungpalan, Kalani
PLAYER CAPSULES
Fab 15
1. Kaleb Gilmore Kalaheo G 6-0 Sr.
> GILMORE averaged 19 points per game for the Mustangs, bringing explosiveness to a team that thrived on a lot of passing. After transferring from Maryknoll, he became more of a distributor as the Mustangs galloped to the state championship. He had 22 points, five assists and six steals against Maui in the opening round of the state tourney. He was 16-for-17 at the foul line against Punahou, scoring 25 points in the quarterfinals. After struggling through an ankle injury in the semifinals against Kahuku (four points, eight assists, four steals), he scored 30 points against ‘Iolani in the final, hitting 18 of his 20 charity shots.
2. Kupaa Harrison Kalaheo G/F 6-5 Sr.
> Scored 14 ppg for the state champions, but his value went beyond scoring. He led Kalaheo in rebounding during the state tourney, and when their PG (Gilmore) got hurt during the semifinals), Harrison smoothly took over duties as the floor general and primary ballhandler. He averaged 16 points and six boards per game in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, then had 16 boards and five assists in the championship-game win over ‘Iolani.
3. Justice Sueing Jr. Maryknoll G/F 6-5 So.
The son of former University of Hawaii forward Justice Sueing Sr. averaged 18 points per game, a smooth southpaw with a broad skill set. Unlike his father, who was a post player, Sueing operated from the wing and the point. He has a nice 3-point shot, but often opted to attack defenses and shot 78 percent from the foul line (127-for-162) as a result.
4. J.B. Kam Punahou F 6-3 Sr.
> Kam was a mismatch issue for most opponents, a stretch 4 with deadly 3-point range. He averaged 12 ppg.
5. Denhym Brooke Kahuku F 6-7 Sr.
> Arguably the best athlete in Hawaii boys basketball, the transfer from New Zealand was a shot blocking machine who ran the floor and often finished with a flurry. His ability to throw dunks down in transition or halfcourt sets sometimes overshadowed a smooth shooting touch from mid-range. Brooke averaged 14 ppg, shooting 74 percent from the foul line. As he gains confidence and more aggression with the ball at the next level, Brooke could really blossom. He didn’t start playing the game until he was 13.
6. Kevin Foster Roosevelt G 5-11 Sr.
> Foster thrived against mainland competition during the ‘Iolani Classic, rising to the rack consistently against tall foes (24 points against Second Baptist of Texas, 31 against Baldwin). He finished the season averaging 17 ppg and shot 74 percent (110-for-148) from the free-throw line.
7. Erik Yamada ‘Iolani G 6-1 Sr.
> Steadying force for the Raiders on both ends of the floor, often tasked with picking up the opposition’s top scorers while running the ‘Iolani offense. Averaged a modest 9 ppg, but stepped up his scoring against top competition: 16 points against Second Baptist (Texas), 15 against Orange Lutheran (Calif.), 14 and 15 points against Punahou, 15 and 14 points against Maryknoll.
8. Kyrie McRaven Moanalua F/C 6-5 Sr.
> A consistent mid-range jump shooter, he averaged 20 ppg in OIA play. The former Mid-Pacific player thrived for Na Menehune, averaging 23 ppg during the OIA playoffs.
9. Hyrum Harris Kahuku C 6-6 Sr.
> The left-hander was a reliable cog in the Red Raiders’ offense and defense, a willing passer with a nice post game, able to shoot with either hand. He averaged 10 points per game.
10. Ranan Mamiya Farrington G 5-11 Sr.
> After transferring from St. Francis, he became an all-state football player in the fall. In the winter, Mamiya was a relentless defender who often turned momentum around with his ability to create steals and attack the rim. His leaping ability made him a tremendous shot blocker as he closed in from the perimeter. He was a heady playmaker, averaging 10 points and four steals per game to help the Govs defend their OIA championship.
11. Tolby Saito Pahoa G 5-9 Sr.
> A relentless scorer with myriad ways to get points near and away from the rim. Averaged 27 ppg during BIIF play and sparked the Daggers to an 18-1 start with the lone loss to Saint Louis. Crusaders coach Keith Spencer compared Saito’s shooting ability to that of former Hilo and BIIF great Alan Tanabe. Scored nearly 23 ppg at the D-II state tournament, shooting 20-for-22 at the free-throw line.
12. Jake Smith Farrington G 6-1 Sr.
> After transferring from Kamehameha, he became a clutch shooter for the Govs, who defended their OIA crown despite a 3-3 start in league play. Scored 24 points in a win over Punahou early in the season and had 25 in the OIA championship-game win over Kahuku. Averaged 16 ppg for the season.
13. Chance Kalaugher Kaiser F/C 6-5 Jr.
> Arguably the most physically imposing player in the state, Kalaugher’s vertical leap and pure strength were unmatched by most foes regardless of classification. He showed more high-scoring potential this season with 26 points against Buckley and 23 against eventual D-I state champion Kalaheo. He was a double-double machine all season, scoring 16 ppg. In the D-II state tourney, he averaged 12 points and more than nine rebounds per game as the Cougars captured the title.
14t. Josh Chapital Lahainaluna G/F 6-0 Sr.
> A jump shooter with a physical flavor to his game, Chapital averaged nearly 15 ppg and shot 76 percent from the foul line. A strong finisher, he didn’t look to shoot the 3 often, but still utilized it effectively. His best games were usually against off-island competition: 16 points against Kailua, 16 against Radford, 16 against Chestermere (Canada). He averaged 15 ppg at the state tourney, including 23 against Punahou in the fifth place game.
14t. Joseph Gouty Leilehua G 5-9 Jr.
> The floor general of the Mules was a huge factor in their rise this season. The junior averaged 12 ppg while running the show, often scoring on ferocious drives to the hoop. He shot 77 percent from the line in OIA play.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
1. Alec MacLeod, Kalaheo
2. Erik Yamada, ‘Iolani
3. Bryson Hamada, ‘Iolani
4. Kyrie McRaven, Moanalua
5. Hugh Hogland, ‘Iolani
ALL-DEFENSE
First Team
Ranan Mamiya, Farrington
Denhym Brooke, Kahuku
Kanawai Noa, Punahou
Kaleb Gilmore, Kalaheo
Kekai Smith, Kalaheo
Second Team
David Marrero, Campbell
Jimmy Nunuha III, Saint Louis
Samuta Avea, Kahuku
Hyrum Harris, Kahuku
Dayson Watanabe, Punahou
Third Team
Kyrie McRaven, Moanalua
Kupaa Harrison, Kalaheo
Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo, Farrington
Hugh Hogland, ‘Iolani
Bryson Hamada, ‘Iolani
COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Alika Smith
2. Dean Shimamoto
3. Allan Silva
4. Wyatt Tau, Campbell
5. Branden Kawazoe, Kaiser
6. Alan Akina, Kahuku
7. Patrick Wetzel, Leilehua
8. Jason Justus, Lahainaluna
9. Ryan Hirata, Mid-Pacific
BEST SPORTSMANSHIP (TEAM)
1t. Kalani
1t. Lahainaluna
3t. ‘Iolani
3t. Kohala
5. Roosevelt
BEST SPORTSMANSHIP (FANS)
1. Kalani
2t. Hawaii Baptist
2t. Lahainaluna
4t. ‘Iolani
4t. Punahou
COOLEST UNIFORMS
1. Kahuku
2. ‘Iolani
3t. Lahainaluna
3t. Leilehua
5. McKinley
TOUGHEST GYM
1. Farrington
2. Kalani
3. Moanalua
4t. Aiea
4t. Campbell
4t. Stan Sheriff Center
BEST CONCESSION STAND
1. Moanalua
2. Radford
3. Kailua
4. McKinley
5. Kaiser
6t. Castle
6t. Punahou
2015-16 TOP 4
Division I
1. Maryknoll
2. ‘Iolani
3t. Kaiser
3t. Kalaheo
4. Leilehua
5. Kamehameha
6. Saint Louis
Division II
1. Hawaii Baptist
2. Kalani
3t. Kaimuki
3t. Pahoa
5. Aiea
6t. Castle
6t. Kohala
Nice to see Sueing over Kam. Kam was Ilh mvp but was a no show in some games. Also nice to see Kevin Foster getting some love even though his team didn’t make playoffs. Some head scratchers though, Ranan Mamiya and Tolby Saito and the lack of Campbell representation. Mamiya was a good athlete, not top 15. Kalaugher was hands down top player in D2 and how do you not put any Campbell players after they nearly beat Iolani and finished third in states.
I agree with the FAB 15 picks. Congrats to all. As for the Honorable Mentions, not so much.
It’s great to see the other categories because they say something about the overall experience for student athletes, fans and families. I would’ve included Leilehua in the Best Sportsmanship lists for teams and fans. Great folks up in Central Oahu.
What does toughest gym mean? Is it a measure of how junk the gym is? Or is it a measure of noise brought on by home team fans?
I agree 100% with Moanalua being the best concession. Fresh Poke Bowl….need I say more? Best high school bathrooms too. It makes a difference, trust me. Always a great overall experience at Moanalua!
Overall, a great year in prep basketball for our state. My only complaint, venues continue to show favoritism to Punahou fans who are allowed to bring musical instruments and play them during games. We tried to bring tambourines last year and were shut down at the door. Only to find that Punahou fans were allowed to bring all kinds of instruments into venues. If they’re not the school band, then it shouldn’t be allowed.
agreed with your comments, realist!! Some people get blinded by players who score a lot against terrible teams. If you watch the games and don’t just look at stats, u know what I’m talking about.
I was a little surprised by the lack of Campbell players in the voting, but my guess is this:
1. Campbell didn’t score a lot of points this year. Even when they had that nice run at late in the season, all low-scoring games. Voters (yes, even coaches) tend to reward the higher scorers in All-State voting.
2. The Sabers’ scoring load was very balanced this season. If they were just four role players and one big scorer, the scorer would’ve probably gotten significant points in the balloting.
As for Sueing over Kam, I had no expectation of voters going either way. They were both significant and important to their teams. Just happens that one is only a sophomore.
As for Mamiya and Saito, not sure what your analysis is. Please continue.
So scoring is everything? I think efficiency and what they bring to overall team success is worth more. I’m sure that big guy for Campbell probably opened up things for the guards.
Mamiya had an up and down year. Jake smith was at least the go-to scorer. Saito played in the BIIF. Kalaugher played in the rugged Oia east.
Interesting that a player averaging barely 10 points a game. Gets rated higher than a player playing in the same league averaging 16 + points, 14+ boards and most 3 blocks a game and takes his team to a state title…..
And that same player cannot make any of your defensive polls.
And was OIA first team
Your poll sucks!!
Abdel-Kader Ziane should have been top 15… 19.3 ppg… And had solid numbers against good teams… Kapolei didn’t make the playoffs true but Foster is there … 3rd in D1 overall in scoring should be Top 10 no matter what because all these other players play most of the same teams …