Classic challenges: 3 games cancelled at ‘Iolani Classic (UPDATE)

4:45 p.m.
We’re underway with Central Catholic (Ore.) and Pembroke Pines (Fla.). It almost feels like the old Classic again. Finally. Pembroke Pines leads 8-3, 4:55 left, first quarter. Halleliujah.

2:25 p.m.
Things are changing here by the hour.

The rest of Monday’s games are expected to be played, pending test results. Sadly, for the Hawaii teams in the tournament, after Baldwin plays West Linn (Ore.) tonight in the 7:30 p.m. game, that will be it for nearly all the local squads.

“Some of the local teams are testing positive,” ‘Iolani Head of School Timothy Cottrell said. “With the upsurge in (COVID-19) numbers in the state, we want to protect everyone and give our mainland teams a chance to play without risking them entering quarantine protocol here.”

The tournament is also going to further restrict spectator access.

“We’re being proactive about it,” Cottrell said.

Last week, a tournament at Damien was cancelled for safety protocols.

Taneya Woodie, a production manager for theSUVtv.com, has been to nine high school tournaments across the country this season.

“This is the first time that I’ve seen on-site testing before a game, which is excellent. It is needed,” she said. “You see it in the NBA and NFL.”

Baldwin, which traveled to the Classic from Maui, has been slotted into a Tuesday exhibition game with host ‘Iolani to accommodate teams that travelled from the mainland. Providing those national-powerhouse level teams with guaranteed, elite competition is crucial, Katrell said.

The slam dunk contest slated for Monday night has been cancelled.

The updated, modified schedule:
Monday’s games
Kalaheo vs. Maryknoll, cancelled
Kailua vs. Damien, cancelled
Punahou 73, Waialua 32
3 p.m. Leilehua vs. St. Paul VI (Va.), cancelled
4:30 p.m. Central Catholic (Ore.) vs. Pembroke Pines (Fla.)
6 p.m. ‘Iolani vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.)
7:30 p.m. Baldwin vs. West Linn (Ore.)

Tuesday’s games
1 p.m. Sierra Canyon vs. Baldwin
3 p.m. ‘Iolani-Sierra Canyon winner vs. Baldwin-West Linn winner, semifinal
4:30 p.m. St. Paul IV vs. West Linn, semifinal
6:30 p.m. ‘Iolani vs. Baldwin, exhibition

Wednesday’s games
12:00 p.m. TBD
2:00 p.m. TBD
4 p.m. Championship game

2:10 p.m.
The Leilehua-St. Paul VI (Va.) matchup set for 3 p.m. has been cancelled, according to tournament officials. If the schedule modifications carry on as expected, there will be no local teams in Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games.

12:30 p.m.
The first two games of Monday’s schedule at the ‘Iolani Classic have been canceled for safety protocols.

‘Iolani co-athletic director Eddie Maruyama made the announcement on the public address system minutes before the Kalaheo-Maryknoll game was set to tip off. The game was 25 minutes behind schedule and both teams were nearly done with warmups when the announcement was made.

Spectators who were on the restricted access list were refunded as they departed. Kalaheo stayed to have an intrasquad scrimmage.

Then, prior to the Damien-Kailua matchup, a second announcement for a cancellation was made. Kailua was warming up in the gym. The Surfriders remained to hold practice.

Testing for teams is done at the school infirmary. The Classic will announce a modified policy later today. 


Games for the rest of Monday are being delayed by 30 to 45 minutes, tournament officials said. However, as of 12:30 p.m., the slate appears to be back on track as Punahou and Waialua warm up for their scheduled game.

Monday, Dec. 20
Kalaheo vs. Maryknoll, cancelled
Kailua vs. Damien, cancelled
12:30 p.m. Waialua vs. Punahou
3 p.m. Leilehua vs. St. Paul VI (Va.)
4:30 p.m. Central Catholic (Ore.) vs. Pembroke Pines (Fla.)
6 p.m. ‘Iolani vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.)
7:30 p.m. Baldwin vs. West Linn (Ore.)