Kalina Obrey enters pantheon of epic girls hoopsters

A year ago, Kalina Obrey wasn’t sure where she belonged.

Oh, she was perfectly situated at Kamehameha as the Warriors’ go-to post scorer and defender. But not many colleges wanted a 5-foot-10 post, not at the Division I level. Obrey was already ahead of the game. She went to work intensively, every day, on her perimeter skills with 808 Basketball coaches Bob Keanini and Hinano Higa in the offseason.

A few teams, like Hawaii, were interested in her as a post. But her progress as a wing was so pronounced, San Jose State stepped up with an offer. Obrey is a scoring threat from every spot on the floor today, and the upside is enormous.

That ability to use the entire floor as a scorer, passer and ballhandler was utilized fully by Kamehameha coach Pua Straight. Obrey’s 20-point, 10-rebound average reflected one of the most interesting and versatile individual performances in state history.

Obrey’s player of the year honor in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball All-State selections by coaches and media was no surprise. She got the upper hand in the state semifinal round with a 38-point, 17-rebound effort to eliminate Kalani. Then she went 24 and 10 in a narrow loss to ‘Iolani for the championship.

A full-page spread is available in Sunday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Kalani senior Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, a 6-foot guard/forward/center, scored 17 points per game and was also voted No. 1 in the all-defensive team balloting. Her length and athleticism were matched by none as Kalani reached the Oahu Interscholastic Association final, and the semifinal round of the Snapple/HHSAA state tourney. She often filled the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, and her 3-point range made her a difficult problem for opposing defenses.

Kamakawiwo‘ole received one first-place vote in the Fab 15 voting. She will play at Utah State.

Taylor Wu, who banked in a go-ahead 3-pointer, then splashed another 3 to open ‘Iolani’s lead over Kamehameha in the final minutes of the state final, finished third in the voting. Wu was relentless on both ends of the floor, able to hit 3’s, drive aggressively and play superb defense in ‘Iolani’s high-energy system. Wu averaged 13 points per game and will play at Cal Baptist next season.

Wu’s teammate, Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, was another end-to-end hoopster with a versatile game. Wahinekapu made a 3-point shot in 18 of the 19 games she played in. Her impact after returning from an ankle injury was sometimes spectacular with defensive plays in ‘Iolani’s fullcourt press. The sophomore averaged 15 points per game and is the highest-ranked underclassman in the Fab 15.

Coach of the year honors went to ‘Iolani’s Dean Young. He guided the running Raiders to their first state crown since ’96, when the late Bernie Ching led the Raiders to consecutive championships. This year’s ‘Iolani squad was a wire-to-wire No. 1 team in the Star-Advertiser Top 10. ‘Iolani (23-6 overall) won the ILH title, ending Maryknoll’s run of four-straight league championships.

Latoya Wily of Kahuku was second in the COY voting. The former Kahuku standout steadied the ship after top returnee Sisilia Kaufusi transferred to Utah shortly after preseason began. The Lady Raiders were 1-4 in preseason, then went 14-0 in OIA play and won the title, beating Kalani twice as sophomore guard Leiah Naeata shouldered the scoring and rebounding void. Ranked as high as No. 4 late in the season, Kahuku (16-6) finished at No. 8 in the final Top 10.

Veteran coaches Bobbie Awa of Konawaena and Chico Furtado of Maryknoll were tied at third in the COY voting. Each team had no seniors on the roster. Konawaena knocked out Kahuku in the quarterfinal round of the state tourney before losing to top seed ‘Iolani in the semifinals. Konawaena (14-5) finished No. 3 in the final Top 10.

Ranked in the top three for much of the season, Furtado’s Maryknoll squad was the highest-ranked team that did not play in the state tournament. Maryknoll (20-5), with Jalen Tanuvasa leading the charge, was 6-5 against ranked teams and 14-0 against unranked opponents. The Spartans, who had just one junior — lost to Kamehameha 68-64 for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu’s second and final state-tourney berth.

Also receiving votes for COY were Pua Straight of Kamehameha, Brianna Lagat-Ramos of Kaiser, Natalie Mata of Waimea and Chi Mok of Kalani.

Below, player capsules for the Fab 15, along with immense research by our in-house vault keeper, Jerry Company.

1. Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha, G/F, 5-10, Sr.
> Healthy from start to finish, Obrey scored at least 14 points in 24 out of 25 games, and averaged 20 points per game. She had 38 points and 17 rebounds in a semifinal win over Kalani, and 24 and 10 in a thriller against ‘Iolani during the state final. She shot 79 percent at free-throw line, had improved shooting range and ballhandling, and her slashing made Obrey a matchup nightmare for all opponents. She will play at San Jose State next season.

2. Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, Kalani, G/F, 6-0, Sr.
> Scored 17 ppg, shot 78 percent at FT line and filled up every category. Tremendous defender, shot blocker, voted defensive player of the year. She had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in the OIA final against Kahuku. At the state tourney, she shot 90 percent (18-for-20) at the foul line. She will play for Utah State next season.

3. Taylor Wu, ‘Iolani, G, 5-7, Sr.
> Scored 15 ppg and fueled the Raiders’ high-speed attack. Started strong with 25 and 24 points, respectively, against eventual OIA and BIIF champions Kahuku and Waiakea. Also scored 17 against CIF powerhouse Clovis West. Finished with 19 points, two key 3-pointers, in the state-title win over Kamehameha. She is also an all-defensive team pick. Wu will play at Cal Baptist next season.

4. Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, ‘Iolani, G, 5-7, So.
> Supremely skilled on both ends, and also ultra consistent. Wahinekapu missed 11 games due to an ankle injury during preseason, but healed up in time for the ILH season and averaged 15 ppg. She made at least one 3-pointer in 18 of 19 games and is also an all-defrsive team selection.

5. Jalen Tanuvasa, Maryknoll, G, 5-7, So.
> Defenses knew she was coming, but Tanuvasa exploded around and through them for 17 ppg. Her best games were against the league’s top teams, ‘Iolani (16, 21) and Kamehameha (28, 23). Her quickness and strength made her, arguably, the toughest on-ball challenge in the state.

6. Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna, G/F, 5-9, Sr.
> She is a post scorer with 3-point range and sometimes ran the point. She is also an all-defensive team selection. Her strength and guile were a bedrock for the Lady Lunas defensively. Lahainaluna was the only team was able to keep POY Kalina Obrey below double figures all season long because of Namoa’s defense in the post. She scored 16 ppg, including 15 against Kamehameha and 24 on Waiakea at the state tourney. Namoa closed her prep career with a perfect record in MIL play. The Lunas have won 162 league games in a row.

7. Leiah Naeata, Kahuku, G/F, 5-8, So.
> Poured in 33 points as the Lady Raiders topped Kalani for the OIA title. Scored 16 ppg for the season, upping her offense in league play as a point guard, 3-point shooter and post scorer. Naeata, a key rebounder, is also an all-defensive team selection.

8. Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena, F, 5-9, Jr.
> The normally versatile Kaupu anchored the low post for the young Wildcats. Averaged 16 ppg, including 22 against Kalani and 20 against Lahainaluna. Scored a season-high 26 points in a rematch with Kalani at the state tourney. She is also an all-defensive team selection.

9. Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki, G, 5-7, Sr.
> With a dwindling roster, sometimes playing with five players, Espinda was often a point center facing strategic defenses. She still averaged 19 ppg. Her 19 3-pointers ranked among the leaders statewide, and she also ranked second in FT attempts (148) while shooting 72 percent.

10. Kalena Halunajan, Kalani, G, 5-4, So.
> The darting point guard was nearly impossible to stop off the dribble. She averaged 16 ppg, scoring off steals, drives and from long range (41 3-pointers). She shot 70 percent from the FT line and scored in double figures for all 29 of Kalani’s games. Her biggest scoring outputs were against OIA champion Kahuku (23, 19) and BIIF champ Waiakea (21). Halunajan is also an all-defensive team selection.

11. Kelsie Imai, Waiakea, G, 5-6, Jr.
> A key scorer and playmaker who also rebounds with the best in the BIIF, Imai averaged 12 ppg. She did most of her damage on the offensive end by attacking the rim, shooting 62 percent at the FT line.

12. Dahlis Sablay, Mililani, G, 5-2, Jr.
> A master with the ball, able to change directions and create for teammates, Sablay scored 11 ppg and shot 66 percent from the FT line. Her immense court IQ is a big preseason the Lady Trojans were unbeaten in the OIA West.

13. Alexis Huntimer, ‘Iolani, G, 5-8, So.
> In lieu of a pure center, the Raiders relied on everyone to defend the paint while being able to cover the arc. Huntimer, an all-defensive selection, scored a season-high 24 points against Kamehameha during ILH play. Offensively, she was a table-setting distributor and slasher who also sank 31 3’s. She also shot 71 percent from the FT line.

14. Kaye Serapio, Waimea, G, 5-2, So.
> An iron woman — Waimea played just seven players — and defensive opportunist with great hands, Serapio was at her best during the D-II state tournament with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 assists per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. Serapio is also an all-defensive team selection.

15. Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts, G, 5-3, Sr.
> She averaged 12 ppg, but her value in every facet was enormous for the Lancers. Martinez shot 78 percent from the FT line and defended at every position, playing sometimes as a point center.

Honorable mention
Noelle Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha
Brilie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific
Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua
Kaliana Salazar Harrell, Konawaena
Jazelle Dorser, Waiakea
Briarra Nakihei, Castle
Kalena Gibson, Mililani
Malie Marfil, Kamehameha
Aloha Akaka, Maryknoll
Melody Lum, Punahou
Namahana Kaeo-Young, King Kekaulike
Taeya Blakeney, Kaiser
Raven Rosa-Lasco, Moanalua
Kierstin Gummerus, Waimea

All-Defense
1. Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, Kalani
2. Alexis Huntimer, ‘Iolani
3. Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna
4. Noelle Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha
5. Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena
6. Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, ‘Iolani
7. Taylor Wu, ‘Iolani
8. Malie Marfil, Kamehameha
9. Kylie Yung, ‘Iolani
10. Kalena Gibson, Mililani
11. Tayvia Cabatbat, Waiakea
12. Leiah Naeata, Kahuku
13. Kalena Halunajan, Kalani
14. Shelby McDaniels, Kalani
15. Kaye Serapio, Waimea

Most Improved
1. Leiah Naeata, Kahuku
2. Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, ‘Iolani
3. Kalena Halunajan, Kalani
4. Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan, Waiakea

Best Game
1. Division I state final: ‘Iolani vs. Kamehameha
2. OIA D-I final: Kahuku vs. Kalani
3. BIIF D-I final: Waiakea vs. Konawaena

2019-20 Preseason Top 4: D-I
1. ‘Iolani
2. Maryknoll
3. Konawaena
4. Waiakea

2019-20 Preseason Top 4: D-II
1. Seabury Hall
2. Waimea
3. Hawaii Baptist
4. Kamehameha-Hawaii

Some extra notes:

>> Kalina Obrey is the first Kamehameha girl to be named player of the year since Megan Ching in 2002 and joins Nani Cockett (1991-92-93) as the only Warriors so honored.

>> Kamalu Kamakawiwo’ole and Kalena Halunajan are the first Kalani players named first team All-State since Iwalani Rodrigues in 2008, and this is the first time in program history they have had two players named. Halunajan is the first sophomore from the school so honored.

Kamakawiwo’ole is the second girl to be named first-team All-State for an ILH school and an OIA school in consecutive years, joining Sarah Liva of Hanalani and Mililani.

>> Taylor Wu, Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu and Alexis Huntimer all made the Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 in girls basketball this year, the first time the program has had three players named since Kylie Maeda, Saphyre Rezentes and Alex Masaquel in 2012. Lefotu Wahinekapu and Huntimer made it as sophomores, the only other Raider sophomores to make it are Masaquel (2011), Jamie Smith (2006), Tiana Fuertes (1994), BJ Itoman (1993) and Melanie Azama (1988).

>> Jalen Tanuvasa is the fourth Maryknoll sophomore to be named first-team all-state in girls basketball, joining Kamalu Kamakawiwo’ole (2017), Rhianne Omori (2016) and Michelle Gabriel (1998). Her selection gives Maryknoll a first-teamer for the fifth straight year, a program record.

>> Susitina Namoa gives Lahainaluna a member of the Fab 15 for the sixth straight year and joins Braeanna Estabillo-Donato (2018), Cameron Fernandez (2016), Fiemea Hafoka (2015), Maiki Viela (2011) and Milika Tafua (2010) as Lunas to repeat.

>> Leiah Naeata is the first sophomore from Kahuku to be named first team All-State, and her selection gives the Red Raiders a selection in successive years for the first time since Leighlani Paselio and Fia Tailele-Latu in 2012-13. Sisila Kaufusi was named to the team last year as a junior.

>> With Caiyle Kaupu‘s selection to the Fab 15, Konawaena has had at least one first team All-State player every year since 2003. She joins Dawnyelle Awa (2012), Jazzmin Awa-Williams (2007), Lia Galdeira (2012), Cherilyn Molina (2018), Celena Jane Molina (2017), Chanelle Molina (2015) and Mikayla Tablit (2018) as Wildcats to be named to the team three or more times.

>> Kaelyn Espinda is the first Kaimuki player to repeat on the Fab 15 and combines with Victoria Kintz to give the program a first-team All-State selection for three straight years for the first time in school history. Kaimuki’s only other first team selections were Princess Lauvao (2013), Ashley Savusa (2012) and Icelynn Wahinepio (1990).

Kelsie Imai is Waiakea’s first girl to be named first-team All-State in girls basketball since Kamie Imai in 2010. She can join Kamie, Sheila Azevedo (1999) and Jennifer Kaeo (1989) as the program’s only repeaters next year.

>> Dahlis Sablay is Mililani’s first selection to the Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 in girls basketball since Hall of Honor recipient Sarah Liva in 2014. Nayla Long (2013), Kapili Amamalin (2012) and Taylor Babbitt (2012) are the school’s only other first-team selections and Sablay can be the first  in school history to repeat next year.

>> Waimea’s Kaye Serapio is the first girl in school history to be named first-team all-state in girls basketball, and the first girl from the KIF so honored since Kristle Henry or Kauai in 2012-13. Cian Carvalho (1997) and Violet Carillo (1992) are the only other Kauai girls named first-team All-State. Serapio is the first sophomore from the island so honored and can be the first to do it three times.

>> Dallas Martinez of Sacred Hearts repeats as a Fab 15 selection — she is the only girl in school history to be named first team All-State.

There were six sophomores on the Fab 15 this year, the most before this was four in 2014 (Alexis Pana, Chanelle Molina, Fiemea Hafoka and Tyra Moe).

>> Dean Young is the first coach of the year from ‘Iolani since Bernie Ching in 1996.

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