Pupule ballot: The logic of Maryknoll’s ascent

Due to the hurricane of basketball games this week, no pun intended, this ballot hasn’t been published until now. Since the poll was released on Monday, Kapolei has gone on to claim first place in the OIA West.

Also, Farrington and Moanalua meet on Saturday night with sixth place in the OIA East at stake. There are multiple tie scenarios involved. In other words, because this is the last game of the regular season, Moanalua (4-5) and Farrington (3-6) are playing for their playoff lives.

Below, my ballot and extended list of top 35 teams. And please feel free to disagree — and post your top 35.

Results and win-loss records as of Saturday, Jan. 13.

Pupule BKB Top 10 ballot 1/21/18
1. Maryknoll Spartans (21-4, 6-1 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 4.
Last week’s games
W 50-39 #2 Kamehameha 01/16 ILH
W 49-48 @ #1 Punahou 01/18 ILH
W 62-37 Saint Louis 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 9-5 (.643).
Strength of schedule: 14 of 25 games (56 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Kapolei, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Kalaheo, Kapolei, Lahainaluna, Corona Del Mar (Calif.), @ ‘Iolani, Kamehameha, @ Punahou.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Paraclete (Calif.), Greensboro Day (N.C.), St. Francis, Tesoro (Calif.), Punahou.

Skinny: A classic 1A and 1B situation. It’s hard to give any team the edge over a Punahou squad that has been dominant and flawless against local competition. But Maryknoll had to beat #2 and #1 in a three-day span. Has any team ever done this in any sport in Hawaii history? Maybe. Maybe not. I doubt it.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna. The Spartans just toppled Hakuho!

2. Punahou Buffanblu (22-2, 6-1 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 1.
Last week’s games
W 52-39 #9 ‘Iolani 01/16 ILH
L 49-48 #4 Maryknoll 01/18 ILH
W 64-40 Mid-Pacific 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 11-2 (.846).
Strength of schedule: 13 of 24 games (54 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Kalaheo, Reed, Buchanan (Calif.),@ Moanalua, Kahuku, @ St. Francis, Tesoro (Calif.), St. Francis, @ Maryknoll, Kamehameha, ‘Iolani.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Lincoln (Calif.), Maryknoll.

Skinny: The history of the ILH is basic: Lose and get better or lose and get buried. Iron sharpens iron in the ILH. Punahou will only get better, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league.

3. Kamehameha Warriors (18-5, 5-2 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 2.
Last week’s games
L 50-39 @ #4 Maryknoll 01/16 ILH
W 78-59 @ Saint Louis 01/18 ILH
W 37-36 #9 ‘Iolani 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 10-5 (.667).
Strength of schedule: 15 of 23 games (65 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Campbell, St. Francis, ‘Iolani, Kahuku, @ Moanalua, Kalaheo, Kalaheo, Blair (Calif.), @ ‘Iolani, ‘Iolani.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Taft (Calif.), Kapolei, Colony (Calif.), Punahou, Maryknoll.

Skinny: It’s intriguing that despite Kahuku’s ability to nearly beat Punahou in a game that should’ve gone into overtime, almost all voters are still plugging in the three best ILH teams in the top three positions of the poll. I’m one of them. The resume counts for a lot on my ballot, and that means head to head counts first. So Kamehameha (or Kahuku) would probably be at No. 1 if either had beaten Punahou. Instead, Maryknoll did it. This is turning out to be an amazingly fun season again.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna.

4. St. Francis Saints (22-3, 6-0 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 3.
Last week’s games
Vs. Top 10: 5-3 (.625).
Strength of schedule: 8 of 25 games (32 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: @ Kailua, Kalaheo, Campbell, Sequoia (Calif.), Maryknoll.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha, Punahou, Punahou.

Skinny: Should the Saints have opted for Division I before the season started? That’s a question that will be forever asked. But the explanation from Saints coach Ron Durant is logical: St. Francis doesn’t have the size and depth to take the constant physical toll that teams in the ILH have to absorb. Frankly, the OIA has peaks and valleys through the season as D-I and D-II teams play an integrated schedule. Not so in the ILH, so I accept the logic. The fan in me will always want more, though.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna. This is about as close to the edge as any team can be. It’s only because of the lack of Top 10 teams on the Saints’ regular-season schedule.

5. Kapolei Hurricanes (14-4, 9-0 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 5.
Last week’s games
W 84-50 @ Nanakuli 01/18 OIA West
W 70-46 Aiea 01/20 OIA West
Vs. Top 10: 2-4 (.333).
Strength of schedule: 6 of 18 games (33 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kamehameha, Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Maryknoll, @ Kailua, Jefferson (Ore.), Maryknoll.

Skinny: The win at Campbell on Thursday means the ‘Canes finished regular-season play 10-0. It’s not easy to make sense of the OIA West this season, but the one truth is that the Hurricanes have been (relatively) healthy and very ready each night out.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna. Promotion earned. Normally, I’d wait for a few more Top 10 wins, but with the win over Campbell, Kapolei is actually 3-4 now against ranked teams. When they’re healthy, they’ve beaten Kamehameha and nearly beat Maryknoll. If anything, Kapolei can play defense at the very highest level, and in this pupule book, that matters immensely.

6. Kahuku Red Raiders (21-3, 9-0 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 6.
Last week’s games
W 64-56 @ Farrington 01/18 OIA East
W 48-42 Kaiser 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 4-3 (.571).
Strength of schedule: 7 of 24 games (36 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: @ Campbell, Campbell, Kalaheo, Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha, ‘Iolani, Punahou.

Skinny: Injury issues matter more for a team that is athletic than a team that is skilled. In Hawaii, there aren’t a lot of teams that can grade out A- or higher in both categories. Kahuku has had its share of close wins on the road, but barely getting past a young, fast-rising Kaiser squad is either a red alert or more about the Cougars’ ascent.

Sumo rank: Ozeki. The losses to Kamehameha (61-33) and ‘Iolani (45-40) without C Tolu Smith at the OIA-ILH Challenge are distant memories. But they still matter on this ballot. Would I be shocked if Kahuku makes it to the state championship game? No.

7. Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (16-3, 9-0 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 7.
Last week’s games
W 86-31 St. Joseph 01/16 BIIF
W 51-45 Keaau 01/19 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 2-3 (.400).
Strength of schedule: 5 of 19 games (26 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Kailua, South Anchorage (Alaska).
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Maryknoll, Trinity Christian (Texas), Sequoia (Calif.).

Skinny: Somewhat similar to Kahuku’s struggle with Kaiser, KS-Hawaii’s close win over Keaau says more about the improving Cougars than any downfall of the Warriors. Or is this time for a blue alert? Ten seconds left and KS-Hawaii down by one point, Nalu Kahapea would be one of the top 5 players statewide who would get a great shot with the likelihood of drawing a foul. Fadeaway 3s and double-clutch layups are all the rage, but they often lead to air balls. A player who can take care of business in the clutch is rare.

Sumo rank: Ozeki.

8. ‘Iolani Raiders (12-10, 2-5 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 8.
Last week’s games
W 49-31 Mid-Pacific 01/18 ILH
L 37-36 @ #2 Kamehameha 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 3-8 (.273).
Strength of schedule: 11 of 22 games (50 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: @ Kailua, Kahuku, Lahainaluna.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha, Montverde (Fla.), Rainier Beach (Wash.), Taft (Calif.), Palo Alto (Calif.), Mid-Pacific*, Kamehameha, Maryknoll, @ Punahou, @ Kamehameha.

Skinny: The Kamehameha game was the first time in league play that ‘Iolani kept the score in the 30s for both teams. Coach Dean Shimamoto has a championship history of running the court and also taking air out of the ball. It seems the Raiders have found their formula for potential success.

Sumo rank: Ozeki. I don’t care how often they lose. If the Raiders are competing this well, they are still an Ozeki team.

9. Lahainaluna Lunas (13-6, 8-0 MIL)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 9.
Last week’s games
W 62-34 Maui 01/18 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 1-5 (.167).
Strength of schedule: 6 of 19 games (32 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kalaheo, Moanalua, Montverde (Fla.), Maryknoll, Palo Alto (Calif.), ‘Iolani.

Skinny: Margins of victory for the Lunas in MIL play: 30, 26, 21, 31, 25, 25, 33, 28. That’s a schedule of D-I teams since the MIL plays a segregated schedule.

Sumo rank: Ozeki.

10. Campbell Sabers (15-5, 8-0 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 10.
Last week’s games
W 53-38 @ Aiea 01/18 OIA West
Vs. Top 10: 1-4 (.200).
Strength of schedule: 5 of 20 games (25 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kailua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kahuku, Kamehameha, @ Saint Louis*, St. Francis, Kahuku.

Skinny: The Sabers lost at home to Kapolei on Thursday, giving the Hurricanes first place in the West. Campbell needs a win over Leilehua on Saturday to seal second place, which would give them a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

11. Kalani Falcons (9-4, 6-2 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 11.
Last week’s games
W 41-39 @ Roosevelt 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 3-3 (.500).
Strength of schedule: 6 of 13 games (46 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kailua, Kalaheo, Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kapolei, @ Campbell, Kahuku, McKinley*.

Skinny: It’s a reflection of excellence for Kalani and Roosevelt, D-II programs that are among the top 5 in the OIA East standings. Kalani is in second place and 7-2 after a win over Castle on Thursday. They’ve been disciplined and efficient for much of the season. The Falcons have wins over ranked teams (Kailua, Kalaheo, Moanalua), but haven’t cracked the Top 10 yet.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

12. Leilehua Mules (9-10, 6-2 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 14.
Last week’s games
W 60-18 @ Waialua 01/18 OIA West
W 58-36 Nanakuli 01/20 OIA West
Vs. Top 10: 1-8 (.111).
Strength of schedule: 9 of 19 games (47 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Hayward (Calif.).
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Saint Louis*, Lahainaluna, Punahou, ‘Iolani, Kamehameha, Fairfax (Calif.), Moanalua, Kamehameha, @ Kapolei.

Skinny: That’s six wins in their last seven games. The lone blemish was a 52-50 loss at Pearl City to the Chargers and the unofficial dean of OIA boys hoops coaches, Lionel Villarmia.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake. Overall, the Mules are underperforming for this particular rank, but there’s plenty of time to reach their potential.

13. Kaiser Cougars (14-7, 4-4 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 19.
Last week’s games
W 56-51 Kailua 01/18 OIA East
L 48-42 @ #5 Kahuku 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 1-3 (.250).
Strength of schedule: 4 of 21 games (19 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kailua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Hawaii Baptist*, Mid-Pacific*, St. Francis, Moanalua, @ Kalani*, @ Roosevelt*, @ Kahuku.

Skinny: The Cougars have come quite a way since early preseason. They entered this week with four wins in their last five games, including a win over Kailua. The loss was narrow, 48-42, at Kahuku.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

14. Kalaheo Mustangs (15-11, 5-3 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 24.
Last week’s games
W 77-54 @ Kaimuki 01/18 OIA East
W 62-43 Farrington 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 1-8 (.111).
Strength of schedule: 9 of 26 games (35 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou, St. Francis, @ Kamehameha, Bishop O’Dowd (Calif.), Maryknoll, Kamehameha, Pearl City*, @ Kahuku, @ Moanalua, Kalani*.

Skinny: The wild East is a Rubik’s Cube of a puzzle, with sometimes no rhyme or reason to the winning and losing. As the final week of the regular season winds up, all we’re left with is wins and losses, and somehow, Kalaheo has picked itself up and managed a 5-3 record (as of last weekend).

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

15. Kailua Surfriders (16-7, 5-3 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 15.
Last week’s games
L 56-51 @ Kaiser 01/18 OIA East

Skinny: That makes it two losses in a row entering this week. The Surfriders have been in choppy waters for some time now, a talented team still learning to win at an elite, consistent level. As long as they improve, the potential is massive thanks to G Everett Torres-Kahapea.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake. Underperforming for this rank, but the season is still long.

16. Waiakea Warriors (15-11, 7-2 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 27.
Last week’s games
W 73-64 Hilo 01/16 BIIF
W 59-24 Parker 01/18 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-6.
Strength of schedule: 6 of 26 games (23 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kohala*, Mid-Pacific*, Hilo*, Kailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Punahou, Kailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii, @ Keaau*.

Skinny: Big win over Hilo. Still a step behind Kailua since the Surfriders edged the Warriors 60-58 in preseason.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

17. Honokaa Dragons (9-10, 6-2 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 12.
Last week’s games
W 56-43 Kohala 01/15 BIIF
L 54-43 Hawaii Prep 01/18 BIIF
W 71-24 St. Joseph 01/19 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-4 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 4 of 19 games (21 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top*): Hilo*, @ Hawaii Baptist*, Kalaheo, Moanalua, Farrington*, Kailua, Maryknoll, Waiakea*, @ Waiakea*.

Skinny: HPA has been a sleeping giant all season, and the Dragons found out how big the team right down the road can be.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

18. Mid-Pacific Owls (8-11, 2-5 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 16.
Last week’s games
L 49-31 @ #9 ‘Iolani 01/18 ILH
L 64-40 @ #1 Punahou 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 2-7 (.222).
Strength of schedule: 9 of 19 games (47 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: @ Moanalua, ‘Iolani.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Roosevelt*, Roosevelt*, Leilehua*. St. Francis, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Hilo*, Punahou, @ Maryknoll, @ Kamehameha, @ ‘Iolani, @ Punahou.

Skinny: Seriously, can a team that has lost five of six games still be this high on any list? Seriously, yes. The gap may be widening of late, but the wins over ‘Iolani and Moanalua are still relevant. So are the close losses to Leilehua, KS-Hawaii, Hilo, Punahou, Kamehameha.

Sumo rank: Maegashira. A tough Maegashira. Think Daishoyama.

19. Konawaena Wildcats (11-2, 7-2 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 18.
Last week’s games
W 55-17 Parker 01/16 BIIF
W 66-25 Laupahoehoe 01/18 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-1 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 1 of 13 games (8 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha-Hawaii, Hilo*, @ Kealakehe*.

Skinny: The poll and voting were done before Konawaena’s loss to Hawaii Prep. Look out for those Ka Makani.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

20. Aiea Na Alii (7-7, 6-2 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 20.
Last week’s games
L 53-38 #10 Campbell 01/18 OIA West
L 70-46 @ #6 Kapolei 01/20 OIA West
Vs. Top 10: 0-4 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 4 of 14 games (29 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Kailua, Moanalua, @ Damien*, University*, Kaiser*, Campbell, @ Kapolei.

Skinny: The previously unbeaten (in OIA West play) Na Alii finally got a stiff test and it wasn’t quite the same. The good news for the young Alii is that losses to Campbell and Kapolei should make them better in the long run.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

21. Roosevelt Rough Riders (11-7, 5-4 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 21.
Last week’s games
W 65-54 Moanalua 01/18 OIA East
L 41-39 Kalani 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 1-4 (.200).
Strength of schedule: 5 of 18 games (28 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Hawaii Prep*, ‘Iolani, Saint Louis*, @ Kailua, @ Kahuku, Kalaheo, Kalani*.

Skinny: The Rough Riders are the kind of team that is fully capable of taking any opponent to the hilt. They’re also capable of hitting the wall occasionally. If, as expected, Kalani and Roosevelt play for the OIA D-II title, that will be one heck of a rematch.

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

22. McKinley Tigers (10-11, 4-4 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 22.
Last week’s games
W 64-48 @ Castle 01/18 OIA East
W 64-35 Kaimuki 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 1-8 (.111).
Strength of schedule: 9 of 21 games (43 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Moanalua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): St. Francis, Maryknoll, Hawaii Baptist*, @ Maryknoll, @ Baldwin*, St. Francis, Campbell, @ Kailua, @ Kahuku, @ Kalaheo, Roosevelt*

Skinny: At one point a few weeks back, the Tigers were tied for last place in the OIA East. Now they’re in the playoff picture and it’s (still) Moanalua and Farrington battling to stay out of the last spot. Everyone else in the East nabs a playoff berth.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

23. Moanalua Na Menehune (11-11, 3-5 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 16.
Last week’s games
L 65-54 @ Roosevelt 01/18 OIA East
W 78-38 Castle 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 3-7.
Strength of schedule: 10 of 22 games (45 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna, Hayward (Calif.), Kalaheo.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Mid-Pacific*, Kamehameha, Punahou, Rainier Beach (Wash.), Lahainaluna, Kapolei, @ Kailua, @ Kahuku, McKinley*, Kalani*, @ Roosevelt*.

Skinny: With a win over Kaimuki on Wednesday, Na Menehune are now 4-5 in league play and will host Farrington (3-6) on Saturday night. A Farrington win means the Governors finish tied with Moanalua and seal a playoff berth. A Moanalua win means Na Menehune clinch a playoff berth.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

24. Hawaii Prep Ka Makani (7-3, 6-2 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 30.
Last week’s games
W 73-23 Laupahoehoe 01/16 BIIF
W 54-43 @ Honokaa 01/18 BIIF
W 69-44 Pahoa 01/19 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-1 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 1 of 10 games (10 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kaiser*, @ Keaau*, @ Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Skinny: HPA had a five-game win streak, including wins over Hilo and Honokaa, then won at Konawaena on Monday. The sleeping giants have awoken. Finally.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

25. Hilo Vikings (13-13, 4-5 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 13.
Last week’s games
L 73-64 @ Waiakea 01/16 BIIF
L 73-57 Kealakehe 01/18 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-6 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 6 of 25 games (24 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kealakehe*, Kaiser*, Kailua, Maryknoll, Trinity Christian (Texas), Waiakea*, @ Punahou, South Anchorage (Alaska), @ Honokaa*, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Hawaii Prep*, @ Waiakea*, Kealakehe*.

Skinny: Four losses in their last five BIIF games has thrown the Vikings into a loop. The final four regular-season games: Laupahoehoe, St. Joseph, Pahoa, @ Kohala.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

26. Farrington Governors (7-9, 3-5 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 25.
Last week’s games
L 64-56 #5 Kahuku 01/18 OIA East
L 62-43 @ Kalaheo 01/20 OIA East
Vs. Top 10: 1-6 (.143).
Strength of schedule: 7 of 16 games (44 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kailua.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou, Kamehameha, @ Kapolei, Kalani*, Roosevelt*, Kaiser*, Kahuku, @ Kalaheo.

Skinny: The rocky road has led here. Farrington is 3-6 after a loss to McKinley on Wednesday. That means the Govs need a win at Moanalua (4-5) to finish in a tie with Na Menehune and create a potential playoff-berth scenario.

27. University Junior Rainbows (10-7, 3-3 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 29.
Last week’s games
W 42-40 @ Damien 01/16 ILH D-II
L 59-43 #3 St. Francis 01/20 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 0-4 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 4 of 17 games (24 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ McKinley*, Kapolei, Kahuku, Waiakea*, St. Francis, @ Hawaii Baptist*, St. Francis.

Skinny: How are the ‘Bows ahead of Damien? They beat Damien, and two of UHS’ losses were to first-place St. Francis.

28. Kauai Red Raiders (7-3, 5-0 KIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 32.
Last week’s games
W 56-47 Waimea 01/17 KIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-0 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 0 of 10 games (0 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha-Maui*, University*, Konawaena*.

Skinny: There’s the preseason loss to KS-Maui, and they haven’t scored a Top 10 win. This is more about a nice resume in league play. Low ceiling, low floor.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

29. Damien Monarchs (9-7, 4-2 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 26.
Last week’s games
L 42-40 University 01/16 ILH D-II
W 80-48 @ Le Jardin 01/18 ILH D-II
W 63-29 Le Jardin 01/20 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 0-5 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 5 of 16 games (31 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Campbell, @ Kahuku, @ Kaiser*, Maryknoll, Kamehameha-Hawaii, @ St. Francis, University*.

Skinny: The game that was never played this season: Farrington vs. Damien. And they’re just a block apart.

30. Hawaii Baptist Eagles (18-7, 4-2 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 27.
Last week’s games
W 77-38 Le Jardin 01/16 ILH D-II
W 74-38 Hanalani 01/19 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 1-4 (.200).
Strength of schedule: 5 of 25 games (20 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: South Anchorage (Alaska).
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kalani*, @ Baldwin*, @ Punahou, Leigh (Calif.), Sequoia (Calif.), Damien*, St. Francis.

Skinny: Lost to Damien. Beat University. University beat Damien. On Wednesday, HBA lost to Damien again.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

31. Punahou II Buffanblu (7-7, 4-0 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 73-63 @ ‘Iolani II 01/16 ILH D-II
W 83-54 Kamehameha II 01/20 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 0-3 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 3 of 14 games (21 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Kalaheo, @ Baldwin*, @ Kailua, Corona Del Mar (Calif.), Damien*, Mid-Pacific*.

Skinny: They showed signs of being unique in preseason with wins over a good Seabury Hall team, a 20-point win over King Kekaulike, and a close loss (62-56) to Kailua.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

32. Saint Louis Crusaders (7-18, 0-7 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 33.
Last week’s games
L 78-59 #2 Kamehameha 01/18 ILH
L 62-47 @ #4 Maryknoll 01/20 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 1-13 (.071).
Strength of schedule: 14 of 25 games (56 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: Campbell.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Farrington*, Kalaheo, @ Moanalua, Kahuku, St. Francis, Desert Pines (Nev.), Palo Alto (Calif.), @ Lahainaluna, Kamehameha, Maryknoll, ‘Iolani, @ Punahou, @ Mid-Pacific*, Kamehameha, @ Maryknoll.

Skinny: The post-Nunuha brothers era hasn’t been promising, but the Crusaders are still battling in every game. Looking at their win-loss record shouldn’t be the only way to gain perspective. The teams that Saint Louis has beaten include some solid foes: Leilehua, Radford, Roosevelt, Waianae, Campbell, Maui, Seabury Hall.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

33. Keaau Cougars (8-7, 5-4 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 31.
Last week’s games
L 48-43 @ Kealakehe 01/16 BIIF
L 51-45 @ Kamehameha-Hawaii 01/19 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-1 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 1 of 15 games (7 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Roosevelt*, Waiakea*, @ Maui*, Konawaena*, Hilo*, @ Kealakehe*.

Skinny: That’s losses to Hilo, @ Kealakehe and @ KS-Hawaii, all decided by six points or less. I can give Keaau a pass of sorts for the road losses. Kealakehe is the team that is stepping up of late.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

34. Maui Sabers (12-8, 5-3 MIL)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 34.
Last week’s games
W 57-48 @ Baldwin 01/16 MIL
L 62-34 @ #8 Lahainaluna 01/18 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 1-6 (.143).
Strength of schedule: 7 of 20 games (35 percent) were vs. Top 10 teams.
Top 10 wins: Kalaheo.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): ‘Iolani, Campbell, Kahuku, Kahuku, @ Lahainaluna, Saint Louis*, Baldwin*, Lahainaluna.

Skinny: They were scrappy at the Surfrider Holiday Classic and they’re still scrap now.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

35. Seabury Hall Spartans (15-7, 6-0 MIL D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 65-17 Hana 01/19 MIL D-II
W 57-25 Hana 01/20 MIL D-II
Vs. Top 10: 0-1 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 1 of 22 games (5 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kalaheo, Roosevelt*, Punahou II*, @ Baldwin*, Hoppe Valley*, Kamehameha-Maui*, Saint Louis*.

Skinny: The D-II Spartans have been generally even with the MIL’s D-I teams aside from Lahainaluna. Wins over Baldwin, (twice), a loss to Baldwin, a 3-point loss to KS-Maui, a 16-point win over King Kekaulike.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

On the cusp
Kamehameha II Warriors (9-7, 3-1 ILH D-IAA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 28.
Last week’s games
W 54-46 Maryknoll II 01/16 ILH D-IAA
L 83-54 Punahou II 01/20 ILH D-IAA
Vs. Top 10: 0-2 (.000).
Strength of schedule: 2 of 16 games (13 percent) were vs. Top 10 (or similar level) teams.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha-Maui*, King Kekaulike*, St. Francis, Leigh (Calif.), South Anchorage (Alaska), Damien*.

Skinny: The big loss to Punahou II came out of the blue.

Lanai Pine Lads (7-3, 6-0 MIL D-II)

King Kekaulike Na Alii (6-15, 2-5 MIL D-I)