The questions were minimal and the response was impactful.
Coaches in the OIA and ILH were asked about Farrington senior guard/forward/center Molimau Heimuli, and this is how they responded.
What is the strongest part of her game?
Ryan Hogue, Sacred Hearts: Her versatility and IQ. She is a very gifted player who can handle the ball, she has a great spin move and knows how to set up the defender to take advantage of her left hand but can finish with right almost just as well. I think the biggest contribution she makes on the floor is a true forward/center who can grab a rebound and push it all the way down the floor either starting the break or taking it to basket. That is rare for a high school kid
Mona Fa‘asoa, Kaimuki: Enough for me to say she’s one of the strongest post this year.. Soft touch.. it’s hard to teach a post player about finesse. Making a strong move and finishing with a soft touch..
Tani Almont-Done, Moanalua: I’ve seen her play since she was a sophomore. She’s versatile. She can play big in the post by making post moves and grabbing boards and she can dribble, make moves at the perimeter and run the fast break.
Sherice Ajifu, Mid-Pacific: We’ve seen Moli play a few games during preseason and of course caught the championship game on tv. She’s a dominant player on both sides of the ball that has consistently improved her game. The versatility in her game makes her tough to defend. With her size, she can dominate in the post yet she has range to knock down 3s. Unlike most other post, she’s sometimes been tasked with bringing the ball down the court.
Joseph Cho, Kamehameha: I have seen Heimuli play five times.
Twice last year, three times this year. The strongest part of her game is her shooting and intelligence of the game.
Elroy Dumlao, Leilehua: I’ve seen her play for three years. Typical Governors Girls Basketball player (BIG). Just like their football team, known for their big lineman.
Chico Furtado, Maryknoll: We have played against her about 6 times over the past 3 years, summer league and pre-season mostly. She is very strong in the post, athletic and runs the floor well for a post player. Finishes strong with her left.
Bryson Tatupu-Leopoldo, Farrington (assistant): The use of her post moves and her right hand. I’ve reminded her every single day for the past 3 years about using her right hand, makes her an even greater threat. I even told her that her right hand was gonna help win us the OIA championship this year, and it did. Work ethic: she tends to settle for just enough. Focus on studies, does enough just to get by.
Caroline Tatupu, Farrington: She’s a humble and coachable player. She’s finally playing with confidence which allows her to own the paint and dominate her position. That same confidence allowed her to step outside of her comfort zone and shoot long range shots, as well as handle the ball with ease for a post player.
Who does she remind you of?
Hogue: She has a game similar to Tyra Moe where she has all the physical attributes you want and can give you versatility, handling the ball in the open floor and putting it on the deck to make a tough move from 15 to 20 feet. With most high school forwards if you can say they have a versatile game there is usually some measurables that are missing they are undersized or don’t really go down low and get to work. She has the physical attributes to be a true post at the next level
Fa‘asoa: Brandy Richardson..lol.
Almont-Done: Brandy Richardson. Bigs that are versatile are hard to defend.
Ajifu: I would say it’s her versatility. Her ability to play 94 feet.
Cho: She reminds me a little of Bella Cravens (of Maryknoll).
Dumlao: But really, she reminds me of former Governor, Sunshine Misa-Uli, she was a multi-sport athlete. Moli is just a little stronger and bigger.
Furtado: Reminds me most of Latoya Wily.
> HPW: What do you think of the comparisons to Brandy Richardson?
> Furtado: I hate to compare anyone to Brandy.
How does she project to the next level?
Hogue: I think she can be a Division I forward, but a JUCO could be really prep her to play at that level, she is an instant DII impact player. The biggest transition for her will be the intensity level in the college game, but you can say this for most kids especially those who have natural ability and size. When you get to college everyone has size and ability it becomes about your work ethic and the desire to grind everyday, not picking and choosing when you want to take over game. All-in-all I have been impressed with her from the first time I saw her play and think her and Kalina Obrey (Kamehameha) are the two best post players in the state.
Fa‘asoa: I think she should be going to a Division I school. I see her playing as a 4.
Cho: I think she projects well at the next level whatever she chooses
She is tough and is a handful for any team to defend
Dumlao: She can definitely play D1. Just needs the passion to work hard. She has all the tools to achieve a successful career. Sky’s the limit for her. Lots of room improvement to get better!!
Furtado: Needs to increase her shooting range and to be a next level 4. May be a bit small for a D-I 5.
Tatupu-Leopoldo: Next level: potential is there, definitely able to play and compete, and make a name for herself. She’d be an undersized big. But if she can improve on her jump shot and dribbling skills, she’d be a 4, MAYBE a 3.
Farrington, the OIA Division I champion, will face ILH runner-up Kamehameha in tonight’s quarterfinal matchup at McKinley, 7 p.m.
big ups for moli heimuli. she is a beast in the paint.