Boys basketball

Latest news

Latest news

OIA boys basketball playoff brackets

By Billy Hull on February 2, 2019

The OIA boys basketball playoffs begin Tuesday with four first-round games in Division I and two in Division II. Moanalua and Kapolei are the No. 1 seeds in Division I and Farrington and Nanakuli earned the top seeds in Division II. The schedule is below. OIA Playoffs

Kaulana Makaula’s return helps spoil ‘Iolani’s senior night

By Paul Honda on January 31, 2019

Never mind win-loss records and rankings, even the standings. Punahou-‘Iolani lived up to the rivalry heat again on Thursday night, and the visiting Buffanblu welcomed back a teammate who might just be their most valuable player. Kaulana Makaula returned from a football visit to Southern California — when Punahou lost games to St. Francis and Maryknoll — to score 11 points while providing his arsenal of defensive skills as the Buffanblu outlasted the host Raiders 50-44. “We haven’t lost more […]

Leopoldo sidelined as Farrington admin investigates complaints

By Paul Honda on January 31, 2019

Farrington boys basketball coach Steven Leopoldo remains sidelined, temporarily removed as head coach as the school administration investigates complaints filed by parents, according to two parents who did not want to be identified. Leopoldo was contacted by the Star-Advertiser, but declined to comment. Farrington athletic director Harold Tanaka and principal Alfred Carganilla did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Leopoldo’s squad had just lost its first game, at Kaiser, in the Oahu Interscholastic Association East season after seven wins […]


Ethan Wright saves Kapolei’s 32-game win streak at buzzer

By Paul Honda on January 29, 2019

It’s all about roles and timing right now for the red-hot Kapolei Hurricanes. Ja’Shon Carter struggled from the field against a relentless Mililani defense, but he knew his job in the final seconds. After coming up with a steal, Carter and the ‘Canes worked the clock to set up the final shot in a 38-all game. His attempt in the lane, smothered by defenders, gave him no chance for a clean look. The ball squirted out and teammate Ethan Wright […]

No. 1 Maryknoll not surprised by success

By Billy Hull on January 29, 2019

Kelly Grant didn’t hesitate when asked if his No. 1-ranked Maryknoll boys basketball team has exceeded expectations after losing three All-State Fab 15 players to graduation. “Not at all,” the Maryknoll head coach said. “I’m not going to take anything away from last year’s seniors but this group right here — their basketball IQ is really high. When you have 6-foot-3 (players) across the board and a 6-foot-7 guy (Marcus Tobin), we can break down a bit and still recover and […]

‘Iolani rises to No. 2 as showdown with No. 1 Maryknoll nears

By Paul Honda on January 28, 2019

There are no trap games in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball gauntlet. None, nada, zilch. Zero is no hero for ILH coaches, who have gained a few white hairs over the course of a fan-pleasing, drama-filled season on the hardwood from top to bottom. Maryknoll remains at the top of the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10 today with nine of the 11 first-place votes cast by coaches and media. Maryknoll (22-2, 8-1 ILH) led all teams for the […]

Nanakuli’s Kukilakila Kahalekai joins 60-point club

By Paul Honda on January 24, 2019

The individual scoring list for Nanakuli seems sparse at first. Eight points. Six. Four. Three. A few zeroes. Then there is Kukilakila Kahalekai, who scored 61 points on Wednesday night in Nanakuli’s 82-41 win over Waialua. The 5-foot-11 guard connected on three 3-pointers and shot 16-for-20 at the free-throw line. More than half of his points were scored the old-fashioned way: 18 field goals inside the 3-point arc. He joins a very distinguished club that includes Ah Chew Goo of […]

Kaiser hands No. 5 Farrington its first loss in OIA play

By Paul Honda on January 23, 2019

In most situations, a loss on the basketball court can be forgotten soon enough. The season is long. There are so many games, it becomes a blur. Eventually, there’s usually a chance at redemption. Farrington’s 62-53 loss at Kaiser is the first in Oahu Interscholastic Association East play for the Governors after seven wins. Four of those came against Top 10 teams: Moanalua, Kalaheo, Kahuku and Kailua. Coming into a Wednesday night matchup with Kaiser, Farrington was 5-1 on an […]