#40 – low post can be used for more than a scoring punch. The best interior big men can force double-teams, which opens up passing lanes to cutters and spot-up shooters, generally two of the most efficient scoring-play types. The impact player was the right choice if you ask me. Scoring, rebounds, this kid does way more. Watch him good – hands down – highest basketball IQ – I’ve seen in a big man. He knows how to use his body, he’s a skillful passer, and he’s defensive is spot on. Rumor has it his plus/minus stat is a +22 – that kid should be in most of the game. Love watching simple basketball – feed the big man!!!! PICK AND ROLL ALL DAY!

Don’t forget the time Grant had that one team with the 6’9″ German kid, two NZ transfers, a two future state POYs with GIlmore and Bennett … and still lost in the finals. If Grant doesn’t get a state title, that would be two years in a row where Maryknoll gets the one seed and doesn’t deliver the title. Luckily for Grant, this isn’t college.

But…

You’re right… when all things are “status quo”, the league with the most talent will always be hands down the ILH. My opinion is the only reason the last two boy’s state finals games weren’t all-ILH was because Kahuku outrecruited the ILH “bluebloods” at their own recruiting game the last two seasons. I agree, though, that 2017 team with Fotu, Villa, and Avea was crazy stacked! I can’t think of another Hawai’i team that had THREE d1 recruits at the same time.

As to the fact about recruiting in the ILH, you can’t help the fact that these kids or their parents for that matter, want their kids to attend private schools, and get a private school education, where they’ll be in an environment that promotes college education and higher learning, and to be surrounded by students that think that way too. As parents we want what’s best for our kids.

However, once in a while there’s always a special group of kids that bring home the State Crown to the OIA and the Outer Islands. Kelly Grant did it at Kaimuki….Kahuku did it in 2016 And by the way Kahuku didn’t get only one recruit, you’re forgetting two guys that were probably better than Fotu that year, Jessiya Avilla(POY) and Samuta Avea, both UH Basketball Commits/Players.