Kahuku’s Jessiya Villa leads 2017 boys basketball Fab. 15 voting
The 2017 Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball All-State Fab 15 was released this morning, but coaches and media also checked off their votes for All-Defense and Most Improved on their ballots.
The All-Defense team is led by ‘Iolani’s 6-foot-9 shot blocker, Hugh Hogland. The springy senior was voted first or second on all but one ballot, using his wingspan and timing to be a major source of rim protection for the Raiders.
Kahuku landed four players among the All-Defense Top 10. Kesi Ah-Hoy, who came up big with perimeter shots late in the season, was a lockdown defender on the perimeter and a strong rebounder for state champion Kahuku. The 6-foot, 215-pound senior will play football at Oregon State. He finished second in the voting, joined by 6-6 senior teammate Samuta Avea, a Hawaii signee. The rangy, explosive wing was arguably the most versatile defender in the state. Avea was third in the voting.
Dan Fotu, a 6-7 junior with excellent shot-blocking skills, was fourth in the voting. ‘Iolani’s Helam Baldomero, a strong, physical and quick perimeter defender, rounds out the first five.
This group was joined by (in vote-total order) Codie Sauvao of Kahuku, Calvin Mattos of Waiakea, Liam Fitzgerald of Leilehua, Zayne Chong of Punahou and Isaiah Jackson of Moanalua.
Also receiving votes: Jessiya Villa of Kahuku (the All-State player of the year), Iverson Turno (Lahainaluna), Jared Elwin (Roosevelt), Micah Kawano (Kalani), Kaulana Makaula (Punahou), Captain Whitlock (Kalaheo), Douglas Mitchell (Waianae), C.J. Bonilla (Moanalua), Justin Genovia (‘Iolani), Chris Sykes (Saint Louis), Christian Mejia (Kailua), Payton Grant (Maryknoll), Kaulana Schmidt (Maryknoll), Ashten Kanoa (Castle),
Most Improved honors went to Kailua’s Everett Torres-Kahapea. The sophomore guard averaged 12 points per game as one of the best long-range marksmen in the OIA. Genovia was second in the voting, followed by Austin Aukai (Konawaena) and R.J. Dominguez (Moanalua).
Also receiving Most Improved votes: Jaylen Cain (Maryknoll), Kamren Victorino-Kato (Kamehameha), Boris Vukovic (St. Francis), Cole Mausolf (Punahou), Douglas Mitchell (Waianae), Zoar Nedd (Kapolei), Micah Visoria (Roosevelt), Trey Boatwright (Leilehua), Liam Fitzgerald (Leilehua), Cole Hogland (‘Iolani), Chris Kobayashi (Punahou), Mejia, Brayden Nueku (Kaiser), Schmidt, Taimona Wright (Kahuku), Caleb Casinas (Moanalua), Duke Clemens (Punahou), Kobe Young (Kamehameha), Zion Shepherd (Mid-Pacific) and Kameron Ng (St. Francis).
Other highlights of the voting by coaches and media:
>> Game of the year: Kahuku vs. ‘Iolani, state semifinal round.
Kahuku hung on to edge ‘Iolani, the defending state champion, 51-48. Saint Louis’ upset of Maryknoll in the ILH playoffs got the second-most points, and the ILH championship game between Punahou and ‘Iolani received the third-highest vote total.
Results of voting for the top 4 in Division I and D-II for the 2017-18 season:
>> D-I: 1. Punahou, 2. Maryknoll, 3. Kamehameha, 4. Leilehua, 5. (tie) Kalaheo, Kapolei, 7. Lahainaluna, 8. (tie) Farrington, Kahuku, St. Francis.
>> D-II: 1. St. Francis, 2. Roosevelt, 3. Farrington, 4. Seabury Hall, 5. Kalani, 6. Honokaa, 7. (tie) Hawaii baptist, University, 9. Pearl City, 10. (tie) Campbell, Castle.
Note: Farrington received votes in both D-I and D-II. The Governors are moving up to D-I next season.
#23 Sauvao for Kahuku was so fun to watch take pride in his defense. Kid went after it every game. Plenny guys on the FAB 15 list know full well who Sauvao is he caused nightmares for many of them. Made them earn every single point.
Congrats to all the boys who made the list. Game of the year really was the Kahuku Iolani game.
Codie sauvao deserves it the most!!! Come on, Going for every single ball on the floor, locking down players on the other team! Come on!!!! Haters gon hate
I love my Kahuku team but this Iolani center is legit. He dominated the paint when Kahuku played them, it didnt help that the refs had a premeditated plan to foul out Fotu and that is why Fotu sat most of the game in foul trouble. When Fotu was in the game it was a battle between these two giants but Hogland was a little more stronger and clearly the states best defender.
If you watch the title game of Kahuku vs. Punahou it was obvious who were the football players and who were the real basketball players on the court and Im talking about both squads. Avea and Villa were the best defenders in that game for Kahuku by far. Basketball speed and Football speed are two different speeds.
@anywaaaays!!
In addition, people need to realize Fotu is naturally a guard. He came to Hawai’i and had to play back to the basket due to his height. But to go up against a 6’9″ reigning POY in the senior Hogland was no easy task. Fotu won that battle on both ends (during the limited regulation and OT) clearly Hogland didn’t have an answer for him and Fotu took him one-on-one.