(Updates with Kamehameha-Hawaii scores courtesy of Josh Pacheco.)
Since the last post about my first faux girls basketball top 10 ballot of the season, most teams haven’t been extremely busy.
Konawaena? They’ve been humming along. There was an alumni game that the old-timers won 50-49, then four wins in a row at the Konawaena Tournament. That included wins over Lahainaluna and Kailua, two teams that I expect to see at the state tourney.
Here’s what my updated Top 10 ballot would look like if we had a poll today. (I’ll update these results as I receive them from our roundball community.)
1. Konawaena Wildcats (11-0)
W 54-20 KS-Hawaii Thur Nov 13 Waiakea Tournament
W 77-21 Waiakea Fri Nov 14 Waiakea Tournament
W 85-2 Maui Sat Nov 15 Waiakea Tournament
W 64-30 Honokaa Sat Nov 22 Nonconference
W 68-22 Maui Thur Nov 27 Lahainaluna Holiday
W 53-24 Mililani Fri Nov 28 Lahainaluna Holiday
W 54-33 Leilehua Sat Nov 29 Lahainaluna Holiday
49-50 Alumni* Thur Dec 4 *exhibition
W 61-52 Lahainaluna Fri Dec 5 Konawaena Tournament
W 65-38 Honokaa Fri Dec 5 Konawaena Tournament
W 70-30 Kailua Sat Dec 6 Konawaena Tournament
W 72-25 KS-Hawaii Sat Dec 6 Konawaena Tournament
PPD Hawaii Prep Tue Dec 9 BIIF
Miramonte (CA) Thur Dec 11 ‘Iolani Classic
Fri Dec 12 ‘Iolani Classic
Sat Dec 13 ‘Iolani Classic
Now we know: The Wildcats finally got a seriously close challenge in their Alumni game last week, a 50-49 loss to a team powered by former All-State players Mana Hopkins, Jessica Hanato, Hina Kimitete, the Hanato-Smith sisters and much more. But imagine if the likes of Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa were available — and eligible to play against high schoolers in an exhibition game. Jazzmin Awa-Williams. Nancy Hoist. That’s already a heck of a squad, basically a college team. Expectations may be very high as they arrive on Oahu for the ‘Iolani Classic, but remember this: the Wildcats didn’t win the tourney when Awa and Galdeira were juniors. They lost to Brea Olinda (Calif.), but rebounded the following year as seniors to trounce that same squad.
2. Maryknoll Spartans (7-0)
W 69-10 McKinley Thur Nov 20 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W Thur Nov 20 Farrington Tournament
W 61-22 Kaimuki Fri Nov 21 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W Fri Nov 21 Farrington Tournament
W 65-20 Kalani Sat Nov 22 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W Sat Nov 22 Farrington Tournament
W 60-35 Kailua Wed Nov 26 Nonconference
Now we know: The Spartans are fast and Coach Chico Furtado is inclined to put that speed to work at every opportunity.
3. Roosevelt Rough Riders (4-0)
W 47-46 Punahou Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 53-18 Honokaa Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 48-42 Hilo Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 47-42 @ Kamehameha Sat Nov 29 Nonconference
St. Mary’s (CA) Thur Dec 11 ‘Iolani Classic
Fri Dec 12 ‘Iolani Classic
Sat Dec 13 ‘Iolani Classic
Now we know: It’s been nearly two weeks of practice without a game. Coach Hinano Higa will soon see if all that work has sharpened her talented squad.
4. ‘Iolani Raiders (4-0)
W 54-36 Leilehua Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 56-29 Honokaa Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 62-13 Kaiser Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 65-49 Kailua Sat Nov 29 Nonconference
Shenzen (China) Thur Dec 11 ‘Iolani Classic
Fri Dec 12 ‘Iolani Classic
Sat Dec 13 ‘Iolani Classic
Now we know: The Raiders are bombers. Not mad bombers, but they certainly can rain threes from the sky. Nine treys against Kaiser. Eight against Kailua.
5. Lahainaluna Lunas
W 69-34 Kaiser Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 65-43 Leilehua Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 51-49ot Punahou Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
Thur Nov 20 Hilo Tournament
Fri Nov 21 Hilo Tournament
L 49-54 Hilo Sat Nov 22 Hilo Tournament
Mililani Thur Nov 27 Lahainaluna Holiday
W 67-36 Nanakuli Fri Nov 28 Lahainaluna Holiday
Hilo Sat Nov 29 Lahainaluna Holiday
W 73-38 Kailua Thur Dec 4 Konawaena Tournament
L 52-61 Konawaena Fri Dec 5 Konawaena Tournament
W 68-36 Honokaa Sat Dec 6 Konawaena Tournament
Now we know: The Lady Lunas, sans three transfers to Konawaena, can still give the Wildcats a good battle. Doing it at Konawaena’s home court said a lot. I’m tempted to move LAH much higher on my ballot (currently at No. 5).
6. Punahou Buffanblu (1-2)
W 48-37 Hilo Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 46-47 Roosevelt Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 49-51ot Lahainaluna Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
@ Sacred Hearts Sat Dec 13 ILH
Now we know: Coach Kevin Velasco was more than willing to get as many reps and practices in as possible with this squad. The mix of returnees (Tyra Moe) and newcomers looked good in preseason.
7. Hilo Vikings
L 37-48 Punahou Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 52-28 Kaiser Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 42-48 Roosevelt Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 61-43 Mililani Thur Nov 20 Hilo Tournament
W 65-25 Keaau Fri Nov 21 Hilo Tournament
W 54-49 Lahainaluna Sat Nov 22 Hilo Tournament
Leilehua Thur Nov 27 Lahainaluna Holiday
W 55-12 Maui Fri Nov 28 Lahainaluna Holiday
Lahainaluna Sat Nov 29 Lahainaluna Holiday
Now we know: The Lady Vikings have one of the best players in the state (Alexis Pana) and the rest of the crew is rounding into shape. I wonder how they did against Lahainaluna the second time around.
8. Kamehameha Warriors (1-1)
W 77-29 @ Kalani Tue Nov 25 Nonconference
L 42-47 Roosevelt Sat Nov 29 Nonconference
@ Castle Wed Dec 3 Nonconference
@ Kaiser Wed Dec 10 Nonconference
Now we know: Big game tonight (nonconference) at Kaiser. Litmus test!
9. Kaiser Cougars (5-3)
L 34-69 Lahainaluna Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 28-52 Hilo Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 13-62 ‘Iolani Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
W 49-32 Sacred Hearts Thur Nov 20 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W 49-35 Mid-Pacific Fri Nov 21 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W 53-24 University Sat Nov 22 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W 50-16 Pearl City Thur Dec 4 Nonconference
W 53-38 Radford Sat Dec 6 Nonconference
Kamehameha Wed Dec 10 Nonconference
Now we know: This was a young roster to begin with, but as they develop confidence, the Lady Cougars are showing their mettle. They’re in that bubbly area in the middle, neither percolating at the top nor residing at the murky bottom. Taking on heavy hitters at the beginning of preseason was tough, but Coach Simon Bitanga always steers his team forward.
10. Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (7-2)
L 20-64 Konawaena Thur Nov 13 Waiakea Tournament
W 53-39 Maui Fri Nov 14 Waiakea Tournament
W 36-26 Waimea Sat Nov 15 Waiakea Tournament
W 54-25 Keaau Thur Nov 20 Hilo Tournament
W 57-14 Hawaii Prep Fri Nov 21 Hilo Tournament
L 38-41 Mililani Sat Nov 22 Hilo Tournament
W 41-38 Honokaa Thur Dec 4 Konawaena Tournament
W 48-44 Kailua Fri Dec 5 Konawaena Tournament
L 25-72 Konawaena Sat Dec 6 Konawaena Tournament
W 61-21 Keaau Tue Dec 9 BIIF
Now we know: A season removed from the graduation of Casey Poe, and two seasons removed from the graduation of Chelsea Poe, the Warriors are still rolling. There are two younger Poe sisters, Caitlin and Camille, contributing this season. Coach Garrett Arima’s daughter, Riana, leads the charge now. Update: Pacheco noted that Arima suffered an injury in the game against Konawaena (Dec. 6), but returned to form for the BIIF opener against Keaau.
Mililani Trojans
L 43-61 Hilo Thur Nov 20 Hilo Tournament
Fri Nov 21 Hilo Tournament
W 41-38 KS-Hawaii Sat Nov 22 Hilo Tournament
Lahainaluna Thur Nov 27 Lahainaluna Holiday
L 24-53 Konawaena Fri Nov 28 Lahainaluna Holiday
Honokaa Sat Nov 29 Lahainaluna Holiday
Now we know: Shantell Appleby is one of the few returnees from last year’s powerful team.
Kailua Surfriders (3-5)
W 53-42 Nanakuli Thur Nov 20 Na Menehune Peek
W 69-26 Pearl City Fri Nov 21 Na Menehune Peek
W 45-37 Radford Sat Nov 22 Na Menehune Peek
L 35-60 @ Maryknoll Wed Nov 26 Nonconference
L 49-65 @ ‘Iolani Sat Nov 29 Nonconference
L 38-73 Lahainaluna Thur Dec 4 Konawaena Tournament
L 44-48 KS-Hawaii Fri Dec 5 Konawaena Tournament
L 30-70 Konawaena Sat Dec 6 Konawaena Tournament
Now we know: The trifecta of Patria Vaimaona, Tau Williams and Tara Takata is good, sometimes great. But developing the next tier of contributors is a big task. Until they step up, the Surfriders are team that would probably win the OIA West, but probably would not win the ILH, MIL or BIIF. State tournament berth is very attainable, and if everybody improves significantly by then, Kailua could do some damage there.
Radford Rams
W 57-38 King Kekaulike Thur Nov 20 Na Menehune Peek
W 59-30 Moanalua Fri Nov 21 Na Menehune Peek
L 37-45 Kailua Sat Nov 22 Na Menehune Peek
@ Kaiser Sat Dec 6 Nonconference
Now we know: Jasmine Moody is talented, but she’s going to need some help.
Hawaii Baptist Eagles
W 57-14 McKinley Thur Dec 4 Kalani Tournament
Fri Dec 5 Kalani Tournament
Sat Dec 6 Kalani Tournament
W 62-20 @ La Pietra Mon Dec 8 ILH D-II
W 62-22 @ Damien Tue Dec 9 ILH D-II
Now we know: Eagles are doing well against D-II squads. Possibly the favorite in ILH D-II.
Honokaa Dragons
L 19-53 Roosevelt Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 29-56 ‘Iolani Sat Nov 15 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 46-52 Leilehua Sun Nov 16 Ted Fukushima Invitational
L 30-64 Konawaena Sat Nov 22 Nonconference
Nanakuli Thur Nov 27 Lahainaluna Holiday
L 42-56 Leilehua Fri Nov 28 Lahainaluna Holiday
Mililani Sat Nov 29 Lahainaluna Holiday
Now we know: Coach Daphne Honma‘s squad lost a lot of talent from last season’s D-II state championship squad. She hasn’t avoided tough competition in preseason, though.
Mid-Pacific Owls
W 45-29 Kalani Thur Nov 20 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
L 35-49 Kaiser Fri Nov 21 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
L 39-40 Kaimuki Sat Nov 22 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
Now we know: Owls are a work in progress. ILH regular-season play will be a gauntlet.
Sacred Hearts Lancers
L 32-49 Kaiser Thur Nov 20 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W 43-42 Kalani Fri Nov 21 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
W 52-23 McKinley Sat Nov 22 Hawaii Self Storage Black & Gold Classic
Punahou Sat Dec 13 ILH
Now we know: The Lancers aren’t quite there yet (Top 10), but they’re heading in the right direction.
ilh looks strong again and the top three will battle to be the top two for state contention. oia east will be strong this year while the wild west will be a wide open for who ever brings their game to the gym. and finally the outer island teams will be bored with their interdivision games.
would again not look past our defending champs to make a run again to the top. they have the talent and a good bench.
No disrespect to 1-4 but on the few times that I’ve seen them play, the Lunas look really tough and I think they can make a case that they deserve to be a few slots higher. Not that it really matters, but if I’m not mistaken, I think that the papers reported the Kamehameha-Hawai vs Kailua results backwards with Kailua actually winning that one.
Right Field, I wouldn’t argue against Lahainaluna being No. 3 or so. But they did lose to Hilo. As long as Maryknoll, Roosevelt and ‘Iolani are unbeaten locally, I’ll probably vote them ahead of the Lady Lunas. We’ll see. I’m sure someone out there will lobby for Punahou ahead of everybody since they’re the defending champions. Their losses have been extremely close. We’re just very tight from 2 to 8 right now.
No argument for No. 1 at this point. I think.