Boys basketball

There was so much that was part of a wondrous night in Kamehameha’s 48-39 semifinal win over Kahuku. Kordel Ng’s one-handed alley-oop dunk, lobbed high by teammate and best friend Christmas Togiai. It came after the whistle and didn’t count, but wow. The wow factor was lit. The transition 3 by Paliku Kamaka, also delivered by Togiai, to cap a 12-0 run that gave the Warriors the lead for good. Alert plays across the floor, including center Bailey Lee’s timeout […]

Liko Soares has his way of dealing with a partially torn meniscus. Maryknoll’s trainer will ask about his pain level, and Soares does what he does. The injury will require surgery after the season. For now, it’s a matter of pain management. Pain tolerance. “It’s sore. It’s a 12,” Soares said of the pain level. “I usually just lie and say 3. Afterwards is when it hurts. It hurts a lot.” Getting one torn before the state tournament, that could […]

Day three of the big dance is here and there will be four more broken hearts. What we’ve learned through two rounds of the Division I state tourney is that Kamehameha, Maryknoll and Damien have proven their status among the top four in the Star-Advertiser Top 10. We have also learned that the funky formula that the HHSAA by-laws abide by can’t solve everything. After all, we had the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the state, OIA champion […]

There were all kinds of opportunities for the Damien Monarchs to stumble and stay down. Somehow, they stayed on their feet and answered every knockout swing Moanalua had to offer in a thrilling 64-57 victory. It’s been the story of their season, and yet another chapter in the book of Alvin, as in Damien coach Alvin Stephenson. “These guys have been together for two years now, been through all kinds of situations. They’re battle tested and ready. They’re ready for […]

One change in any lineup can be have an impact. Irvin Lin made sure he was simply ready. The reserve forward got the start with senior Liko Soares ailing with a partially torn meniscus and simply did the job. Lin scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds — nothing spectacular — but set the tone with a game-opening 3-point bomb. With Soares guiding Lin, the Spartans didn’t miss a beat en route to a 61-32 win over Kamehameha-Hawaii on Wednesday […]

Day 2 can be a dream come true for underdogs at the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships. But, as day turns into evening, it can be a nightmare for the favorites. From No. 1 seed Kamehameha in the Division I bracket to No. 1 Hawaii Prep in D-II, wearing the bull’s-eye target is far from a guarantee of ultimate success. Here’s a look at how top seeds have fared in recent seasons. 2019 D-I Top seed: Maryknoll. Result: champion. Runner-up: […]

`For nearly four quarters, all was quite well for the Kalaheo Mustangs. Then it wasn’t. Maryknoll rallied in the second half and held on for a thrilling 49-41 overtime win over the Mustangs in the opening round of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships in Division I. Kalaheo had the right game plan for a Maryknoll team that was 10-1 at home coming into the state tourney. Even with 6-foot-4 senior Bobby Thompson sidelined (wrist injury), the Mustangs gave the […]

Just like that, the season will be over for four teams by the end of today. Last year’s Division II state champion, Damien, ventures off island for the first time since flying to California in preseason. The Monarchs fly to Maui and face Lahainaluna, a business trip that will last a mere eight hours on the Valley Island. They will depart Honolulu at 12:30 p.m. and board the return flight at 8:42 p.m. Business trip and only business. “Everyone is […]