Tolu Smith keeps POY award in Kahuku

Kahuku keeps churning out the player of the year in the Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 for boys basketball.

Tolu Smith, a 6-10 senior who is new to the program, follows Jessiya Villa as the top player in the state in the Fab 15 for 2018 released today. You can read more on Smith and check out our Fab 15 selections here.

Villa topped the group last year while leading the Red Raiders to the state title.


It is the first time that an OIA school has had successive players of the year since Moanalua in 1996 (Isaac Castro) and 1997 (Ramsey Williams).

Kameron Ng of St. Francis, Punahou’s Zayne Chong, Zoar Nedd of Kapolei and Everett Torres-Kahapea of Kailua follow Smith among the first five. Both Ng and Torres-Kahapea are juniors who get another year to reach the top.


Maryknoll topped the Fab 15 with three selections, followed by Punahou and Kamehameha with two each.


Duane Omori of McKinley was judged the coach of the year.

Below is a slideshow of the top 15 in order, followed by every boys basketball player named All-State first team.

Tolu Smith, Kahuku
Kameron Ng, St. Francis
Zayne Chong, Punahou
Zoar Nedd, Kapolei
Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua
Kobe Young, Kamehameha
Kamren Victorino-Kato, Kamehameha
Samuel “Nalu” Kahapea, KS-Hawaii
Andrew Kearney, Kalaheo
Cole Arceneaux, Punahou
Jaylen Cain, Maryknoll
Jordyn Perez, Maryknoll
13. Micah Mitchell, Hawaii Baptist
Isiah Gelacio, Maryknoll
Kyle Moraga, McKinley
Duane Omori, McKinley
YearFirst nameLast nameSchoolNewspaperGrade
2018ToluSmithKahukuHSA POY12
2018KameronNgSt. FrancisHSA11
2018ZayneChongPunahouHSA12
2018ZoarNeddKapoleiHSA12
2018EverettTorres-KahapeaKailuaHSA11
2018KobeYoungKamehamehaHSA12
2018KamrenVictorino-KatoKamehamehaHSA12
2018NaluKahapeaKS-HawaiiHSA12
2018AndrewKearneyKalaheoHSA12
2018ColeArceneauxPunahouHSA12
2018JaylenCainMaryknollHSA12
2018JordynPerezMaryknollHSA12
2018MicahMitchellHawaii BaptistHSA12
2018IsiahGelacioMaryknollHSA12
2018KyleMoragaMcKinleyHSA12
2018DuaneOmoriMcKinleyHSA COY
2017JessiyaVillaKahukuHSA POY12
2017SamutaAveaKahukuHSA12
2017HughHoglandIolaniHSA12
2017DanFotuKahukuHSA11
2017ChrisKobayashiPunahouHSA12
2017CaptainWhitlockKalaheoHSA12
2017CarverLockeLahainalunaHSA12
2017CalvinMattosWaiakeaHSA12
2017JaymasonNunuhaSaint LouisHSA11
2017ZoarNeddKapoleiHSA11
2017LiamFitzgeraldLeilehuaHSA11
2017KameronNgSt. FrancisHSA10
2017JaylenCainMaryknollHSA11
2017KobeYoungKamehamehaHSA11
2017ZionShepherdMid-PacificHSA12
2017JasonJustusLahainalunaHSA COY
2016HughHoglandIolaniHSA POY11
2016ChanceKalaugherKaiserHSA12
2016RobbyMannIolaniHSA12
2016TristanNicholsSaint LouisHSA12
2016KeouaMahikoKaiserHSA12
2016JosephGoutyLeilehuaHSA12
2016KaelerKahanaKamehamehaHSA12
2016KekaiSmithKalaheoHSA12
2016HirkleyLatuKahukuHSA12
2016JaymasonNunuhaSaint LouisHSA11
2016AkahiTroskePunahouHSA12
2016BrianWashingtonMaryknollHSA10
2016JustinDaiseMid-PacificHSA12
2016CaptainWhitlockKalaheoHSA11
2016CalvinMattosWaiakeaHSA11
2016DeanShimamotoIolaniHSA COY
2015KalebGilmoreKalaheoHSA POY12
2015KupaaHarrisonKalaheoHSA12
2015JusticeSueing Jr.MaryknollHSA10
2015J.B.KamPunahouHSA12
2015DenhymBrookeKahukuHSA12
2015ErikYamadaIolaniHSA12
2015KevinFosterRooseveltHSA12
2015KyrieMcRavenMoanaluaHSA12
2015HyrumHarrisKahukuHSA12
2015RananMamiyaFarringtonHSA12
2015TolbySaitoPahoaHSA12
2015JakeSmithFarringtonHSA12
2015ChanceKalaugherKaiserHSA11
2015JoshChapitalLahainalunaHSA12
2015JosephGoutyLeilehuaHSA11
2015AlikaSmithKalaheoHSA COY
2014JoshBurnettMaryknollHSA POY12
2014JacobMcEnroeFarringtonHSA12
2014ZachBuscherIolaniHSA12
2014MatthewNuumanaiaSt. FrancisHSA12
2014JalenCarvalhoHiloHSA12
2014BrandonAwaKonawaenaHSA12
2014KalebGilmoreMaryknollHSA11
2014IkaikaPhillipIolaniHSA12
2014TevaEldridgeBaldwinHSA12
2014KupaaHarrisonKalaheoHSA11
2014KyleHussleinMid-PacificHSA12
2014ElijahButlerMililaniHSA12
2014IsaiahVisoriaFarringtonHSA12
2014DanielAndrewsPunahouHSA12
2014AnthonyCanenciaUniversityHSA12
2014BrettShimogawaIolaniHSA COY
2013JoshKoKalaheoHSA POY12
2013NickVelasquezPunahouHSA12
2013ShaunKagawaKS-HawaiiHSA12
2013TobiasSchrammMaryknollHSA12
2013JoshuaBurnettMaryknollHSA11
2013KahanuPuulei-AuldMoanaluaHSA12
2013DerickMorganKalaheoHSA12
2013TevaEldredgeBaldwinHSA11
2013KalebGilmoreMaryknollHSA10
2013NickFisherPahoaHSA12
2013MatthewNuumanaiaSt. FrancisHSA11
2013KaleiZuttermeisterKalaheoHSA12
2013KawehenaJohnsonKahukuHSA12
2013JovanCrnicHawaii PrepHSA12
2013MakoaCamanse-StevensKamehamehaHSA12
2013AlikaSmithKalaheoHSA COY
2012DeForestBuckerPunahouHSA POY12
2012DyrbeEnosKamehamehaHSA12
2012LanakiApeleKS-HawaiiHSA12
2012ShaunKagawaKS-HawaiiHSA11
2012MalikJohnsonPunahouHSA12
2012KawehenaJohnsonKahukuHSA11
2012MasonKualii MoeKahukuHSA12
2012GabrielVegaIolaniHSA12
2012JoshKoKalaheoHSA11
2012GabrielRossBaldwinHSA12
2012WilsonMacleodAOPHSA12
2012MekeliFisoKahukuHSA12
2012DukePauliIolaniHSA12
2012AlexIronsideMcKinleyHSA12
2012NickVelasquezPunahouHSA11
2012DarrenMatsudaPunahouHSA COY
2011MicahChristensonKamehamehaHSA POY12
2011MicahDunhourAOPHSA12
2011KaipoPaleRooseveltHSA12
2011ShaironeThompsonKahukuHSA12
2011J.P.SayconFarringtonHSA11
2011DexterWilliamsMoanaluaHSA12
2011HassanRichardsonMililaniHSA12
2011TrevynTulonghariIolaniHSA12
2011ReidSaitoIolaniHSA12
2011DyrbeEnosKamehamehaHSA11
2011DeForestBucknerPunahouHSA11
2011JosiahSukumaranIolaniHSA12
2011LanakiApeleKS-HawaiiHSA11
2011MalikJohnsonPunahouHSA11
2011MoritzKrumeAOPHSA11
2011JesseNakanishiKamehamehaHSA COY
2010MicahChristensonKamehamehaHSA co-POY11
2010KainoaChuIolaniHSA co-POY12
2010MarcusMonroeMoanaluaHSA12
2010NehoaAkinaKahukuHSA12
2010DeForestBucknerPunahouHSA10
2010AaronFernandezKalaheoHSA12
2010ReginaldGriffinMililaniHSA12
2010HenryCassidayPunahouHSA12
2010TrevynTulonghariIolaniHSA11
2010AndrewSkalmanIolaniHSA12
2010SamKiekLahainalunaHSA12
2010ShaironeThompsonKahukuHSA11
2010MalikJohnsonPunahouHSA10
2010KaipoPaleRooseveltHSA11
2010DyrbeEnosKamehamehaHSA10
2010DeanShimamotoIolaniHSA COY
2010KainoaChuIolaniHA co-POY12
2010MicahChristensonKamehamehaHA co-POY11
2010NehoaAkinaKahukuHA12
2010MarcusMonroeMoanaluaHA12
2010DeForestBucknerPunahouHA10
2010DeanShimamotoIolaniHA COY
2009PiiMinnsKamehamehaHA POY12
2009DavidTaulungKaimukiHA12
2009JrayGaleaiKahukuHA12
2009PabloWarnerIolaniHA12
2009MicahChristensonKamehamehaHA10
2009JesseNakanishiKamehamehaHA COY
2009PiiMinnsKamehamehaHSB POY12
2009MarcusHolyfieldMid-PacificHSB12
2009MicahChristensonKamehamehaHSB10
2009PabloWarnerIolaniHSB12
2009JrayGaleaiKahukuHSB12
2009DavidTaulungKaimukiHSB12
2009DesmondTautofiKaimukiHSB11
2009NehoaAkinaKahukuHSB11
2009KainoaChuIolaniHSB11
2009MarcusMonroeMoanaluaHSB11
2009LincolnSetoBaldwinHSB12
2009TylerTeraiMaryknollHSB12
2009AaronFernandezKalaheoHSB11
2009KimoMakaulaPunahouHSB12
2009DeanVienaSaint LouisHSB12
2009JesseNakanishiKamehamehaHSB COY
2008KameronSteinhoffPunahouHSB POY12
2008StevieAustinMoanaluaHSB12
2008HoganRosehillKS-HawaiiHSB12
2008CheynneLishmanKalaheoHSB12
2008PabloWarnerIolaniHSB11
2008JrayGaleaiKahukuHSB11
2008MarcusHolyfieldMid-PacificHSB11
2008TaylorMountsIolaniHSB12
2008MichaelMakinanoCampbellHSB12
2008DarrylMilanaKamehamehaHSB12
2008PiiMinnsKamehamehaHSB11
2008KekoaCarvalhoKonawaenaHSB12
2008MantiTeoPunahouHSB11
2008ColeShidakiSaint LouisHSB11
2008KealohaKramerKS-HawaiiHSB12
2008NelsonWongKS-HawaiiHSB COY
2008KameronSteinhoffPunahouHA POY12
2008NelsonWongKS-HawaiiHA COY
2008StevieAustinMoanlauaHA12
2008CheynneLishmanKalaheoHA12
2008HoganRosehillKS-HawaiiHA12
2008TaylorMountsIolaniHA12
2007KeoneReyesKaimukiHSB POY12
2007KellyGrantKaimukiHSB COY
2007MiahOstrowskiPunahouHSB12
2007BeauAlbrechtsonKaimukiHSB12
2007SpencerMcLachlinPunahouHSB12
2007ScottSmithSaint LouisHSB12
2007StevieAustinMoanaluaHSB11
2007CheynneLishmanKalaheoHSB11
2007MeaWongKS-HawaiiHSB12
2007RykinEnosKamehamehaHSB12
2007GarySatterwhiteRadfordHSB12
2007RyanDungIolaniHSB12
2007DanielColonKaimukiHSB12
2007TylerCaswellKalaheoHSB12
2007TristanSealyThompsonHSB12
2007CaseMiyahiraIolaniHSB12
2007KeoneReyesKaimukiHA POY12
2007MiahOstrowskiPunahouHA12
2007BeauAlbrechtsonKaimukiHA12
2007ScottSmithSaint LouisHA12
2007SpencerMcLachlinPunahouHA12
2007KellyGrantKaimukiHA COY
2006OkeseneAleKahukuHSB POY12
2006KawikaShojiIolaniHSB12
2006MiahOstrowskiPunahouHSB11
2006RykinEnosKamehamehaHSB11
2006VinnyNipIolaniHSB12
2006SpencerMcLachlinPunahouHSB11
2006TylerTsukazakiMaryknollHSB12
2006KeoneReyesKaimukiHSB11
2006JeremiahMasoliSaint LouisHSB12
2006KerstanHoRooseveltHSB12
2006GarySatterwhiteRadfordHSB11
2006MattHeydBaldwinHSB12
2006BeauAlbrechtsonKaimukiHSB11
2006MeaWongKS-HawaiiHSB11
2006WayneWestMoanaluaHSB12
2006MarkMugiishiIolaniHSB COY
2006OkeseneAleKahukuHA COPOY12
2006KawikaShojiIolaniHA COPOY12
2006MiahOstrowskiPunahouHA11
2006RykinEnosKamehamehaHA11
2006KeoneReyesKaimukiHA11
2006KellyGrantKaimukiHA COY
2005KylePapeIolaniHSB POY12
2005JeremiahOstrowskiPunahouHSB10
2005TrensonHimalayaBaldwinHSB12
2005OkeseneAleKahukuHSB11
2005VinnyNipIolaniHSB11
2005JackMillerSaint LouisHSB12
2005TristanBaileyCampbellHSB12
2005VaafutiTavanaKauaiHSB12
2005AukaiWongHiloHSB12
2005XiroNaovalathWaianaeHSB12
2005T.J.AkinaKonawaenaHSB12
2005CodyNakamuraBaldwinHSB12
2005DevinUngaKahukuHSB11
2005IkaikaHardieKamehamehaHSB12
2005DavidMooreKalaheoHSB12
2005MarkMugiishiIolaniHSB COY
2005KylePapeIolaniHA POY12
2005JeremiahOstrowskiPunahouHA10
2005OkeseneAleKahukuHA11
2005TrensonHimalayaBaldwinHA12
2005VaafutiTavanaKauaiHA12
2005MarkMugiishiIolaniHA COY
2004JeremiahOstrowskiPunahouHA9
2004DerrickLowIolaniHA POY12
2004GeneRiveraMauiHA12
2004KyleTevesKealakeheHA12
2004SamWihoiteKalaheoHA12
2004MarkMugiishiIolaniHA COY
2004DerrickLowIolaniHSB POY12
2004JeremiahOstrowskiPunahouHSB9
2004SamWilhoiteKalaheoHSB12
2004JimmyMiyasakaKaimukiHSB12
2004KyleTevesKealakeheHSB12
2004ChicoFurtadoKalaheoHSB COY
2003DerrickLowIolaniHSB POY11
2003JonahLakataniSaint LouisHSB12
2003BobbyNashIolaniHSB12
2003MaafuFinauMauiHSB12
2003SamWilhoiteKalaheoHSB11
2003PeteSmithKalaheoHSB COY
2003DerrickLowIolaniHA POY11
2003JasonRiversSaint LouisHA12
2003DanielTautofiKaimukiHA12
2003MaafuFinauMauiHA12
2003BobbyNashIolaniHA12
2002RashaunBroadusMililaniHA12
2002DerrickLowIolaniHA POY10
2002IkaikaAlama-FrancisKalaheoHA12
2002DCDanielsKalaheoHA12
2002BobbyNashIolaniHA11
2002StephenLeeKaimukiHA COY
2002DerrickLowIolaniHSB POY10
2002IkaikaAlama-FrancisKalaheoHSB12
2002RashaunBroadusMililaniHSB12
2002DCDanielsKalaheoHSB12
2002DanielTautofiKaimukiHSB11
2002BobbyNashIolaniHSB11
2002StephenLeeKaimukiHSB COY
2001SkylerWilsonKalaheoHSB POY12
2001DCDanielsKalaheoHSB POY11
2001AustinSouzaHonokaaHSB12
2001DerrickLowIolaniHSB9
2001EricMarshallLeilehuaHSB10
2001TimHarrisonKailuaHSB COY
2001DCDanielsKalaheoHA POY11
2001SkylerWilsonKalaheoHA POY12
2001DerrickLowIolaniHA9
2001EricMarshallLeilehuaHA10
2001AustinSouzaHonokaaHA12
2001CheyenneMeyerHonokaaHA COY
2000DCDanielsKalaheoHSB10
2000KimoKeiter-CharlesHiloHSB12
2000JasonMandaquitHiloHSB POY12
2000SaTanuvasaRadfordHSB12
2000JuniorWongSaint LouisHSB12
2000LarryManliguisHiloHSB COY
2000JasonMandaquitHiloHA POY12
2000JuniorWongSaint LouisHA12
2000DCDanielsKalaheoHA10
2000SaTanuvasaRadfordHA12
2000ChadKapanuiRooseveltHA12
2000KimoKeiter-CharlesHiloHA12
2000LarryManliquisHiloHA COY
1999BrandonBrooksPunahouHSB POY12
1999CordAndersonIolaniHSB12
1999KyleBartholomewWaiakeaHSB12
1999EverettFryeKalaniHSB12
1999JulianSensleyKalaheoHSB11
1999ZachStevensPunahouHSB12
1999MarkPaccaroKalaniHSB COY
1999BrandonBrooksPunahouHA POY12
1999JulianSensleyKalaheoHA11
1999EverettFryeKalaniHA12
1999KyleBartholomewWaiakeaHA12
1999ZacharyStephensPunahouHA12
1999AlanLumPunahouHA COY
1998KirkUejioIolaniHSB POY12
1998CordAndersonIolaniHSB11
1998BradAndersonIolaniHSB11
1998JulianSensleyKalaheoHSB10
1998RamseyWilliamsMoanaluaHSB12
1998BrandonBrooksPunahouHSB11
1998MarkMugiishiIolaniHSB COY
1998KirkUejioIolaniHA POY12
1998JulianSensleyKalaheoHA10
1998BradAndersonIolaniHA POY11
1998CordAndersonIolaniHA POY11
1998RamseyWilliamsMoanaluaHA12
1998MarkMugiishiIolaniHA COY
1997RamseyWilliamsMoanaluaHSB POY11
1997SteveHessKalaheoHSB12
1997KirkUejioIolaniHSB11
1997ScottWongPunahouHSB12
1997DerekChristensonIolaniHSB12
1997EddieMaruyamaMoanaluaHSB COY
1997RamseyWilliamsMoanaluaHA POY11
1997DerekChristensenIolaniHA12
1997SteveHessKalaheoHA12
1997ScottWongPunahouHA12
1997KirkUejioIolaniHA11
1997EddieMaruyamaMoanaluaHA COY
1996IsaacCastroMoanaluaHA POY12
1996RichardCarlisleIolaniHA12
1996CliftonJonesKahukuHA12
1996DarnellArceneauxSaint LouisHA12
1996BrianYuleKalaheoHA12
1996EddieMaruyamaMoanaluaHA COY
1995GregMillerKalaheoHA POY12
1995KawikaOrdensteinSaint LouisHA12
1995DarnellArceneauxSaint LouisHA11
1995ScottKatoKalaheoHA12
1995RichardCarlisleIolaniHA11
1995PeteSmithKalaheoHA COY
1994AlikaSmithKalaheoHA POY12
1994KahiVillaKamehamehaHA12
1994ToddKingIolaniHA12
1994RayWilhelmBaldwinHA12
1994AdamWongIolaniHA12
1994MarkMugiishiIolaniHA COY
1993ShannonLeeKaimukiHA POY12
1993AlikaSmithKalaheoHA11
1993KevinWilsonAieaHA12
1993PerryLamPunahouHA12
1993ToddGeorgeAieaHA12
1993RaymondFujinoKaimukiHA COY
1992LouieVargasKamehamehaHA POY12
1992AlikaSmithKalaheoHA10
1992WallaceNaoneRooseveltHA12
1992RobertMedeirosHiloHA12
1992PerryLamPunahouHA11
1992JimWinchesterKamehamehaHA COY
1991ShonMalaniHiloHA POY12
1991PaulLeeHiloHA12
1991AlbertNihipaliKamehamehaHA12
1991JoshSmithKalaheoHA12
1991ItulaMiliKahukuHA12
1991LarryManliguisHiloHA COY
1990TeddyAguilanaCastleHA12
1990GlenBanfieldBaldwinHA12
1990ChristianMillerPunahouHA POY12
1990KeithPennMoanaluaHA12
1990KevinWongPunahouHA12
1990ChrisMcLachlinPunahouHA COY
1989SyFrazierHonokaaHA12
1989LennyKaiKamehamehaHA12
1989TroyMcCoyRadfordHA POY12
1989BradStewartUniversityHA12
1989ChrisTogiaiMcKinleyHA12
1989KanoeWinchesterIolaniHA12
1989JimAlegreRadfordHA COY
1988BradStewartUniversityHA11
1988JimmyLactaoenMaryknollHA12
1988JamesWilliamsUniversityHA12
1988DavidHornerMaryknollHA12
1988JarinnAkanaMolokaiHA POY12
1988DarrylGabrielUniversityHA COY
1987JamesWilliamsUniversitySB POY11
1987BradStewartUniversitySB10
1987BrianClarkMililaniSB12
1987BruceFerreiraHiloSB11
1987JimmyLactaoenMaryknollSb11
1987BobbyAuUniversitySB COY
1987RobinDurandPunahouSB COY
1987BruceFerreiraHiloHA12
1987GibArnoldPunahouHA12
1987JimmyLactaoenMaryknollHA11
1987JamesWilliamsUniversityHA POY11
1987BrianClarkMililaniHA12
1987BobbyAuUniversityHA COY
1986BillSchulteSaint LouisHA POY12
1986BrianClarkMililaniHA11
1986GarrettGabrielMaryknollHA12
1986RandyGomesKalaheoHA12
1986RonaldGomesKalaheoHA12
1986KaipoSpencerSaint LouisHA COY
1986BillSchulteSaint LouisSB POY12
1986RonaldGomesKalaheoSB12
1986GarrettGabrielMaryknollSB12
1986RandyGomesKalaheoSB12
1986BrianClarkMililaniSB11
1986KaipoSpencerSaint LouisSB COY
1985DuaneBradleyKalaheoHA POY12
1985KuiOstrowskiMaryknollHA12
1985ScotBogleRadfordHA12
1985DinoVienaWaipahuHA12
1985MingoSaeluaRadfordHA12
1985PeteSmithKalaheoHA COY
1984MikeAmongMaryknollHA POY12
1984DuaneBradleyKalaheoHA11
1984RandyCanenciaUniversityHA12
1984BradleyEstabilioKohalaHA12
1984DavidHallumsPearl CityHA12
1984WilliamVroomMauiHA11
1984TonySellittoMaryknollHA COY
1983RandyCanenciaUniversityHA11
1983GeorgePuouKailuaHA12
1983MichaelFettersIolaniHA POY12
1983ToddSmithLeilehuaHA12
1983FrankLutuIolaniHA12
1983HarryPacarroFarringtonHA COY
1982GeorgePuouKailuaHA11
1982ScottHansonLahainalunaHA12
1982FrancisFletcherMaryknollHA POY12
1982EdSmithUniversityHA12
1982RickyLeongMaryknollHA12
1982LouisSantosKailuaHA COY
1981SamJohnsonMoanaluaHA POY12
1981FrancisFletcherMaryknollHA11
1981DanHalePunahouHA12
1981ReedSunaharaHiloHA12
1981JeffreyHiroCastleHA12
1981RobDurandPunahouHA COY12
1980SamJohnsonMoanaluaHA11
1980LeroyLutuUniversityHA POY12
1980DanHalePunahouHA11
1980ReedSunaharaHiloHA11
1980EricMoralesUniversityHA12
1980RayBuckPunahouHA COY
1979DarrylGabrielPunahouHA POY12
1979KawikaAkanaBaldwinHA12
1979LeroyLutuUniversityHA11
1979ChrisWhaleyKaiserHA12
1979DanHalePunahouHA10
1979ChrisMcLachlinPunahouHA COY
1978LeroyLutuUniversityHA POY10
1978DarrylGabrielPunahouHA11
1978MIkiOstrowskiMaryknollHA12
1978EdgarTesoroBaldwinHA12
1978MartinSmithRadfordHA12
1978JonGarciaBaldwinHA COY

COMMENTS

  1. ??? March 18, 2018 2:24 pm

    He should have been Gatorade Player of The Year too. Congratulations.


  2. Byron Mello March 18, 2018 6:08 pm

    The D1 and D2 need to be done separately. It’s an outrage that a couple of the Honorable Mention players were not named to the Fab 15.


  3. MR Opinion March 18, 2018 9:22 pm

    I really thought the player from leileihua, deserved to be on the fab-15, player of the year OIA, made the fab-15 last year, had a great season, a top 10 player in the state, who will do great in college with his length and skills.


  4. Loca1boiAnonymous March 18, 2018 9:31 pm

    Let this post-season voting not repeat itself again. The Gatorade Award needs to remain a Division One award it’s ridiculous that that even needs to be stated. So to all you players, D1 players in particular, who were snubbed this season. Drop down to D2 and let it rain. This state doesn’t recognize the difference.


  5. Coach T March 19, 2018 8:35 am

    This rant about DI or DII needs to be set straight, you aren’t performing, you aren’t awarded. You out performed you don’t get Gatorade POY Award, don’t be a Hillary and start crying DI DII BS! Your team never won any Back to Back 26-0 State Titles?!


  6. I love basketball March 19, 2018 9:49 am

    Many of these young men should be voted based on both as athletes and scholars. In my eyes, Liam Fitzgerald, from Leilehua, was left off because they did not make it to States. He was part of the Fab 15 last year. His stats were better this year and he is going to continue to play basketball in college. Best of luck to him.

    This goes for other young men that should be on this list.


  7. Unko808 March 19, 2018 11:18 am

    It’s unfortunate that Leilehua’s Liam Fitzgerald and Moanalua’s Caleb Casinas was overlooked. Fitz was OIA’s repeat west side player of the year and was on last year’s Fab15. He continued to do amazing things this year. Why? Caleb’s stats in PPG and top ranking in 3-pointers and in free throw percentage plus his demonstration of versatility on the court this year deserve some nods.

    In addition to their skills set, they are scholar athletes and their character both on and off the court is commendable. Glad to hear that both are getting recognition from college recruits whereas our own snubbed them from being ranked among the Fab15 in the state.


  8. Basketball Player March 19, 2018 11:44 am

    I agree, all players should be voted based on both athletes and scholars in high school and college. It’s easy for those giving their all to basketball and excel at it without giving the same to their education. It takes a special individual to excel at both. There are some that made the Fab15 that were ineligible during the season, hence not making the ILH and OIA All-Star team. D1 should be the only level considered for Fab15. Why classify levels as D1, D2 if both are combined for the same award, doesn’t make any sense. It takes away from deserving D1 players such as Robinson and Fitzgerald, both made a big impact in high school basketball but weren’t recognized. Our state really need to scrutinize the requirements of making the Fab15.


  9. Unko808 March 19, 2018 1:07 pm

    Rename this award to “Fave15” not “Fab15”


  10. Steve Hathaway March 19, 2018 2:39 pm

    I think Liam was the biggest snub. He gets POY in the West but doesn’t make the Fab 15 yet another guy from the West made it, and deservingly so. Just think Liam should have made it too. Voters just didn’t get to see him at state but that was not his fault.


  11. Trump in 2020 March 19, 2018 4:05 pm

    I agree with you Basketball player. There should be some type of criteria in the selection of these individuals whether it be based on how a player did in school, on the court, or both. Also, let this criteria be known to all so that there is no hiding behind the excuse that it was a majority vote when we all know that such an election can be easily fixed and no way to proof not. On the subject of DI/DII, there are reasons for these divisions, just as there are reasons for the different classes in society today. When I read a comment posted earlier about performing in your division and being rewarded for it, I asked myself this question, were there really any ILH D3 and D1AA players being considered for this list? C’mon man, let’s keep it real. Alas, Just like Trump being elected as President, nothing can be done about this Fave15 list of selectees. All we can hope for is that all the injustices in the current selection process of this list is corrected for the next time. If not, my opinion is no one will take this list seriously and consider it just a Hoss election. Some changes to consider, no more bias selection of players because of their affiliation to a particular school or club team they play on. Build walls (rules) to prevent the illegal migration of players to places for political gain. Do nothing at all. Interesting how sports mimic the events of the nation today. #MakeHawaiiBasketballGreatAgain


  12. Loca1boiAnonymous March 19, 2018 4:29 pm

    Besides Tolu Smith who else has a college basketball offer in this graduating class? I’m curious.


  13. For better or worse March 19, 2018 6:28 pm

    Yup, there should be a separate list for D1 and D2.
    Another Suggestions- – A player should at least play 2 years of high school sport here in Hawaii before he can be an all star or all state. It’s not fair for our local kids who been playing throughout their high school career and not get any recognition or college exposure.
    Any coaches in high school sport who has a son / daughter in their team should not be allowed to coach, it’s not fair for the other players


  14. Really March 19, 2018 6:36 pm

    Yes Liam won POY this year and a good player but Zoar Nedd from Kapolei had a better season.Kapolei also won the West and was 2-0 against the mules.If anything Zoar should be POY,that’s the biggest snub.


  15. JetWavy March 19, 2018 8:02 pm

    @ For Better or Worse

    What’s the point of making that rule? To tell our local kids that they need an advantage over out-of-state transfers because they aren’t on their level? Obviously this is an unnecessary rule as this year a local 5’8″ Division 2 player beat out a Division 1 6’10” out-of-state transfer for the Gatorade Player of the Year.


  16. Better or worse March 20, 2018 8:51 am

    @jetwavy
    You’re right about that.But we all know that was a bad decision picking a D2 over a more deserving D1 player,hopefully it doesn’t happen again.My point is – if every high school basketball coach recruit 1 or more top players just to play 1 year to win a title which is happening now, all those top recruits will be in the Fab 15. I’m just looking out for our local kids just to get a chance to be recognize to move on to the next level, Any suggestion. Let’s make basketball better here in Hawaii for our kids…..


  17. All kids are good March 20, 2018 9:05 am

    Seriously, there should be a difference in being the POY for D1 and D2. Point in being, the D2 kids don’t face off against D1 competition all season long. Hence, would St. Francis even make it to States if they were in the tough ILH D1? Where there are only two spots in States for the ILH? Not taking away anything from Saint francis, they did beat a lot of good D1 teams or gave them a good run for their money. But to have to do that on a weekly basis against some of the best talent in the state week in and week out? Sorry i grew up in a time where there was no such thing as D1 and D2, you played everyone, regardless and there was only one State Champion. But really, what seperates a team from being D1 and D2? in the mainland they go by the size of the student body. But in Hawaii you can go from D1 and D2(ex: Farrington, Kalaheo), but what is it that differentiates the two? If you have a bad team you can declare D2? But if you have talent then you can switch to D2?

    But as far as seperating D1 and D2 for the Fab 15, I’m ok with it combined, i’ve seen some of these kids play club ball during the off season, and it doesn’t matter what level they are at in high school, there’s no seperation in club leagues, and they have earned that right to be in the Fab 15, regardless. And yes, some kids will get snubbed, but it’s nothing new, it happens all the time, at all levels, even in the NBA. Don’t dwell on it, just move on, and deal with it, it is what it is.


  18. JR. ALE March 20, 2018 10:26 am

    THE ONLY REASON WHY SAINT FRANCIS IS MOVING UP TO D1 IS FOR KAMERON TO GET MORE EXPOSURE. NO ONE RESPECTS HIM BECAUSE HE PLAYED D2 THIS WHOLE TIME. NOW HIS DAD WANTS THE BEST FOR HIM. AFTER KAMERON GRADUATES, SAINT FRANCIS IS GOING TO ASK TO GO BACK DOWN TO D2 SO THEY CAN WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS AGAIN. GOOD LUCK IN D1…


  19. Trump 2020 March 20, 2018 11:57 am

    Wait a minute, is Kameron’s Dad the Head coach at St. Francis or not? I think as a really good player being in a situation where your Dad calls the shots on a team would definitely be to a players advantage. Green light on any shots taken and longer playing minutes then anyone on the team in the D2 league. A situation like that could lead to league honors, and maybe, just maybe win Gatorade player of the year! The today’s Nation we live in is truly a Great Nation!


  20. Trump 2020 March 20, 2018 3:33 pm

    @ jetwavvy

    can it imagined what it would be like if Tolu Smith, 6′-10, from the mainland, playing on a D2 team whose father was the coach calling the shots! Now that’s a RRNationFL to belong to, where the Gatorade’s would be flowing!


  21. Basketball Player March 20, 2018 4:05 pm

    @All kids are good

    Yes, it is what it is but everyone has the right to their opinion, this is the subject at hand and we are all expressing our opinions. Maybe if it is all put out there then maybe next time this ridiculousness doesn’t happen again!


  22. MR Opinion March 20, 2018 4:13 pm

    @trump 2020 exactly right, imagine if Tolu played DII, at least 30pts, 25 rebs a game, possiably more, and he was not recruited to play for kahuku, his mom is from that area, he decided to come home.


  23. JetWavy March 20, 2018 8:13 pm

    @ For Better or Worse

    Putting a ban on first year players from winning recognition awards is absolutely lunacy. What other state does this? None. We would be a laughing stock as a state if we did that. First of all, out-of-state transfers are not new they have been coming to Hawai’i for decades. Most of them aren’t that great to begin with they come here thinking they’re gonna run the show and I would say the majority don’t become the all-stars they think they will be in this state. Second, you say the local kids should have a chance to be “recognized to move to the next level”. By giving them an award they got because another kid who was better was ineligible? That’s stupid. If kids aren’t competing against their counterparts in high school – local or not – they can kiss the “next level” good-bye because the next level is filled with kids from different states who are the best of the best. You want to make basketball better in Hawai’i, dedicate yourself to the sport from a young age. Don’t wait til high school to learn work ethic.


  24. Trump 2020 March 21, 2018 10:25 am

    @Mr. Opinion,

    Ahhh a play on words. In my comment I never said Tolu was recruited. I said he is from the mainland, like his mother is from here. Only he, his family, and the basketball gods will ever know if he had any kind of “arrangements”, if you will, made. I’m sure some ILH ppl can confirm and shed some light on whether or not recruiting goes on for stud athletes here in the islands. But, since you brought up the word recruiting, do you think it’s just coincidence or not, that two out of town star athletes shows up to a basketball program that seemed to have lost all of their stud athletes. Not to mention to program where the head coach of that program has already had allegations of illegal recruitment thrown his way. Hmmmm, that’s just like the news printing things that they want the general public to read and believe. So it all comes back to This, is it truly a FAB15 or is it just a list of players whom the news people what you to believe is the FAB15. “FAKE NEWS” I say. Do research.


  25. Poy March 23, 2018 12:52 pm

    Every year , they give the player of the year award to the team that wins the state. Why not this year? Are they gonna start giving it to this one and done players ? A punahou player should have gotten it!! Better or Worse has a point.


  26. Jerry Campany March 23, 2018 2:38 pm

    Smith joins an exclusive list of players who were the Player of the Year by a newspaper despite not being a member of the state champion team that year. I thought the list would be longer.

    2018: Tolu Smith, Kahuku
    2014: Josh Burnett, Maryknoll
    2010: Micah Christenson, Kamehameha (He shared it with Kainoa Chu)
    2006: Okesene Ale, Kahuku
    1994: Alika Smith, Kalaheo
    1988: Jarrin Akana, Molokai
    1982: Francis Fletcher, Maryknoll
    1981: Sam Johnson, Moanalua
    1980: Leroy Lutu, University


  27. Loca1boiAnonymous March 25, 2018 8:43 pm

    Good research, Jerry. An even more in-depth question is who among that list you comprised were given POY and weren’t even in the state championship game. From my understanding I believe Alika Smith ’94 and Jarrin Akana ’88 were two such players. Were there more?


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