By Paul Honda Coach Eddie Maruyama put it simply. The ‘Iolani Raiders played as one team, he said, just as the athletic program’s mantra dictates. But there was more to the Raiders’ stunning 63-58 overtime win over fourth-seeded Farrington last night in the quarterfinal round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships. It was the kind of effort — all around — that normally would have close observers thinking, “This game should be on TV.” Well, it was, and […]

By Paul Honda One quarter into the Waiakea-Moanalua game, it was clear enough. These aren’t the 1990s Waiakea Warriors, walking the ball upcourt, operating methodically efficient sets. Since Grant Kauhi took the helm some years back, the Warriors have morphed into a run-and-gun squad. It was expected; Kauhi and his assistant, brother Jason Kauhi, were prominent gunners back in the ’90s while playing at Hilo for the late Larry Manliguis. The Warriors raced up and down the floor early, then […]

By Paul Honda Some post-game notes from last night’s opening-round Roosevelt-Mililani game at Radford in the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships. The Rough Riders, runners-up from the Oahu Interscholastic Association, won 62-49 and will play second-seeded Lahainaluna tonight at Radford. • Mililani tried to attack Roosevelt’s primary weapons, particularly Mikela Thoemmes, but had limited success. Thoemmes wisely avoided picking up cheap fouls despite active Mililani posts like Darcey Goulsby and Pomai Grube-Hose. “Fundamentally, Roosevelt is very sound, but they’re […]

Updates from Division I opening-round games, Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships. Division I James Alegre Gymnasium, Radford High School Waiakea 57, Moanalua 43, final Roosevelt 62, Mililani 49, final McKinley Student Council Gym Kapolei 37, Baldwin 35, final 7 p.m. ‘Iolani vs. Pearl City Division II Earl Holmer Gym, Kalani High School Kaiser 54, Hawaii Baptist 38, final 7 p.m. Word of Life vs. Kahuku Richard Kitamura Memorial Fieldhouse, Farrington High School Hawaii Prep 55, Seabury Hall 44, final […]

By Paul Honda Of all the teams in the Hawaiian Airlines’/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division II State Championships, Molokai has reason to stand out. Literally. Center Kalei Adolpho, at 6-foot-1, has been a fixture since her freshman season. As a sophomore, she led the Farmers to the D-II state crown. Before her junior year, she gave the University of Hawaii and coach Dana Takahara-Dias a verbal commitment to play basketball. Molokai is also the only D-II team that has been voted […]

By Paul Honda There’s not a single team in the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships that is flawless. True of any year, but more so now with talent levels and depth in a down cycle. Sure, Konawaena is a clear No. 1 — and has been since winning the state title last year on the heels of then-freshmen Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa. But, like every title contender, the Wildcats have faced obstacles and tribulations this season. Here’s a […]