Boys basketball

Coaching changes happen often enough, and they go unnoticed at times. The boys basketball season has been over in Hawaii for less than three weeks, but the changes coming could have a domino effect with more impact than usual. It began with news that Sol Batoon had been released after two seasons as Saint Louis coach. That was relatively sudden, given that the middle-school and elementary-school level teams have been more active than usual under Batoon’s watch. Playing in youth […]

Maryknoll senior Makoto Kamata was named the ILH Division I boys basketball most valuable player today. Kamata and coach Kelly Grant took the top awards for the ILH all-star teams that were voted on by league coaches. The complete list of winners is below. University’s Leif Fautanu was named MVP in Division II and Christian Academy’s Matthew Tokuda won the honor in Division III. DIVISION I Most valuable player—Makoto Kamata, Sr, Maryknoll Coach of the year—Kelly Grant, Maryknoll FIRST TEAM […]

Senior exhibitions, all-star games, showcases — they are unpredictable. One year, almost nobody played defense in the ILH-OIA boys game at the Geremy Robinson Senior Classic. But more often, neither side is content to go through the motions. Tonight, the ILH prevailed in a thriller, 88-87, over the OIA that showcased the best of the private-school league and the best of the public schools. The ILH saw a 10-point lead dissipate on Saturday night as the OIA got a huge […]

After a decade as the head coach of ‘Iolani, one of the most successful boys basketball programs in the state, Dean Shimamoto announced his retirement today, He shared the news this afternoon, not long after speaking with his team, the same one that finished third in the state. Over the years, the Raiders, by and large, often overachieved, beating taller and bigger teams with more athleticism. They did it the old-fashioned way, putting in reps on the hardwood and in […]

Two Division I league championships in the last four seasons. Four D-I league titles in the last seven years. In all, Kalaheo has captured 16 Oahu Interscholastic Association championships in boys basketball in the D-I level and the pre-classification era. No other school has won more OIA championships in the sport. As of Tuesday night, the league’s administrative policy in shuffling D-I and D-II teams based on air-tight grouping numbers in the East and West, and power rating (wins and […]

After four years as Castle’s boys basketball varsity coach, Neil Bowers announced his resignation via social media tonight. “It’s a tough, but right decision,” Bowers said. “I’m definitely at peace.” Bowers played at Kalaheo and was a boys assistant coach and girls coach at his alma mater before coming to Castle. He also ran the summer varsity and JV leagues there, and during the school year was a force in starting an informal intramural-style league for students. The Knights were […]