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There’s no place like home for JJ Mandaquit. “Hilo will always be home,” the ‘Iolani freshman said. Hilo has been hoop town for thousands of young basketball players over the decades, going all the way back to legendary Ah Chew Goo. Mandaquit grew up in a post-hoops mecca era, when more than two dozen small programs operated out of the many small, plantation-era gyms in Hilo and outlying areas. Second- and third-generation coaches teaching fundamentals. Piopio Bears, anyone? Mandaquit, a […]

Saint Louis collected 10 of 11 first-place votes to remain atop the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10. The Crusaders, sparked by seniors Aiva Arquette and Hayden Bayudan, lost in ILH for the first time last week. They sandwiched a 55-52 loss to Punahou win a 47-39 win over ‘Iolani and a 51-44 victory over Maryknoll. Despite the loss to Saint Louis, Maryknoll moved up a notch to No. 2. The Spartans posted wins over Damien and ‘Iolani last week. ‘Iolani, […]

They don’t need to be perfect, just persistent. Punahou’s 55-52 win over No. 1 Saint Louis on Thursday night confirmed what coach Darren Matsuda knew. His young, talented team just need to get healthy — and believe. “We’re just really trying to focus on the mental part of the game and stay in the moment play by play. When Maryknoll caught us and Kamehameha caught us, we weren’t able to stay the course. We got a little nervous, we got […]