Boys basketball

Maybe it was overdue, but the voters are convinced about the Lahainaluna Lunas now. The Lunas have won three of their last four games, including victories over then-No. 10 Moanalua and a lopsided win over Baldwin. Coaches and media sent Lahainaluna all the way up to No. 8 after the West Maui hoopsters were unranked through the first two weeks of the poll. Senior Koa Evalu Robinson was a revelation at the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. The 6-foot-4 post demonstrated the […]

Year three as a varsity hoopster at Kailua High School brings a different role to Everett Torres-Kahapea. The junior guard leads by example, and learning to become a more vocal leader is something he embraces. He’d rather lead by example first, and that seems to be working for the Surfriders, who are 11-4 in nonconference play. His latest highlight: swishing a game-winning 37-foot 3-pointer in the closing seconds of a win over Waiakea at the St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic […]

Once again, the St. Francis Saints took aim and did all it could to slay Goliath. Once again, the tiny school in Manoa Valley fell short. Just a wee bit short. Kaulana Makaula provided the offensive spark with 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as No. 1 Punahou outlasted No. 5 St. Francis 74-66 in the final of the St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic on Thursday night. Punahou improved to 12-1 overall and won’t be on the […]

I saw nothing on Friday. Then I watched 27 games over the next five days and it was Christmas Day over and over. Friday was opening day of the ‘Iolani Classic, but an ILH girls showdown between No. 1 Maryknoll and No. 2 Kamehameha was a must-see. On Saturday, I got to see Fairfax coached by Steve Baik for the first time. They won by 50. He’s good. They’re good. Jefferson walloped their foe. Montverde hung 95 on its opponent. […]

Six is better than five, and five is certainly better than four. When Kamehameha took the court on Tuesday morning against Kalaheo, it was an unusual scenario. The Warriors warmed up with just six players, all underclassmen. There were 5 minutes left in warmup time for the 10:30 a.m. consolation game at the ‘Iolani Prep Classic, but at least Kamehameha was there. There was no sight of Kalaheo. The Mustangs arrived a minute later, and officials allowed them an extra […]

One brother watched from the bench, healing up from injury. His twin struggled from time to time, collecting fouls instead of rebounds and points. When Makhel Mitchell racked up the PFs (personal fouls) in the semifinal round and the tough Lions of Fairfax nearly rallied from a 20-point deficit. Montverde, the nation’s No. 1 team — or No. 2, depending on the poll — emerged stronger. Mitchell heard the words of his brother, Makhi: “Run the floor. Dominate inside.” Makhel […]