Pupule ballot: Lady Trojans make huge leap

The shuffling is something strangely fascinating.

At the top, Maryknoll, Kamehameha and most of the Top 10 is entrenched at this moment. Upsets happen, things change. But below the 10, wow. Doing a Top 35 list has been a microscope on more than half the teams that play girls basketball statewide. It’s awfully time consuming, yet satisfying. And Lord knows it’s just scratching the surface.

A few teams are on the decline. A few are swinging back up. Mililani? Talented, nice mix of guard talent, post talent, a great defender. But the coaching change in preseason changed the chemistry and the Lady Trojans went 3-7 in nonconference play. They turned it around in the OIA West and finished the regular season undefeated.

Timing can be everything as the OIA playoffs near. That format rewards the teams that get hot late in the season. Long live the lottery mentality. Nothing wrong with buying a few Powerball tickets.

Here’s how I voted. (All win-loss records as of Saturday, Jan. 6.)

Pupule BKG Top 10 01/08/18

1. Maryknoll Spartans (19-2, 5-0 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 1.
Last week’s games
W 52-36 @ #5 ‘Iolani 01/04 ILH
W 73-31 #9 Sacred Hearts 01/06 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 13-2.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna, Konawaena, Waiakea, @ Mid-Pacific, @ Punahou, Miramonte (Calif.), Oregon City (Ore.), Kamehameha, Buckeye Union (Ariz.), Marlborough (Calif.), Campbell County, @ ‘Iolani, Sacred Hearts.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Southridge (Ore.), Post Falls (Idaho).

Skinny: The back half of Maryknoll’s season is basically must-see basketball. How much better can the Spartans get? Will they improve on what they do? Or is it too difficult to do this when the wins pile up?

Sumo rank: Yokozuna.

2. Kamehameha Warriors (14-2, 5-1 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 2.
Last week’s games: None.
W 56-34 Mid-Pacific 01/04 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 6-2.
Top 10 wins: Waiakea, Sacred Hearts, @ Punahou, @ ‘Iolani, @ Sacred Hearts, Mid-Pacific.

Skinny: The challenge of injuries to starters also means that reserves learn on the job. It is a great way to season those young hoopsters. There’s nothing like game experience.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna.

3. St. Francis Saints (18-0, 10-0 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 3.
Last week’s games: None.
W 68-9 La Pietra 01/04 ILH D-II
W 48-32 @ Le Jardin 01/06 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 2-0.
Top 10 wins: Sacred Hearts. Punahou.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): None.

Skinny: Well, the Saints are doing something incredibly rare by winning their first 18 games, but there’s a ceiling to it in the eyes of voters. They’re stuck at No. 6 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10, even with wins over two previously ranked teams. And with Sacred Hearts and Punahou both out of the Top 10 this week, it weakens any case for the Saints to retain the 6 spot for much longer.

Sumo rank: Ozeki.

4. Lahainaluna Lunas (18-4, 9-0 MIL D-I)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 4.
Last week’s games
W 55-22 @ King Kekaulike 01/03 MIL
W 57-28 Baldwin 01/06 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 2-4.
Top 10 wins: Kamehameha, @ Konawaena.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): ‘Iolani, Maryknoll, Punahou, Campbell.

Skinny: The Lunas keep rolling. I believe this is now a 143-game win streak in the MIL.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna.

5. Konawaena Wildcats (17-2, 6-0 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 5.
Last week’s games
W 67-14 @ Hawaii Prep 01/03 BIIF
W 98-3 @ Ka‘u 01/05 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 6-2.
Top 10 wins: Sacred Hearts, ‘Iolani, ‘Iolani, Mid-Pacific, Campbell, Waiakea
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Maryknoll, Lahainaluna.

Skinny: While other teams may languish and plateau through regular-season play, Coach Bobbie Awa’s teams have always improved significantly by the state tourney.

Sumo rank: Yokozuna.

6. ‘Iolani Raiders (10-6, 4-2 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 6.
Last week’s games
L 52-36 #1 Maryknoll 01/04 ILH
W 54-49 Mid-Pacific 01/06 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 5-5.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna, @ Waiakea, @ Mid-Pacific, @ Punahou, @ Sacred Hearts.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Konawaena, Konawaena, Oregon City (Ore.), Naha Senior (Okinawa), Kamehameha.

Skinny: Taylor Wu is back. The ILH race just got a whole lot more interesting.

Sumo rank: Ozeki.

7. Hawaii Baptist Eagles (17-5, 8-1 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 8.
Last week’s games
W 51-26 @ Damien 01/04 ILH D-II
W 42-30 University 01/06 ILH D-II
Vs. Top 10: 2-4.
Top 10 wins: @ Campbell, @ Sacred Hearts.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha-Hawaii*, @ ‘Iolani, Sacred Hearts, Kamehameha, St. Francis.

Skinny: Seems the difference between my ballot and the rest of the panelists in our perspective of D-II teams is a difference of 2.5 positions. I have St. Francis at No. 3 on my ballot; the panel has the Saints at No. 6. I have HBA at No. 7; the voters have HBA at 9.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

8. Mid-Pacific Owls (8-9, 2-5 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 10.
Last week’s games: None.
L 56-34 @ #2 Kamehameha 01/04 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 3-4.
Top 10 wins: @ Waiakea, @ Punahou, Punahou.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Moanalua*, Konawaena, Hilo*, Kamehameha-Hawaii*, Maryknoll, @ Sacred Hearts, ‘Iolani, @ Kamehameha.

Skinny: Even with the loss to Kamehameha, the Owls have three wins over teams that are (or have been ranked). Then again, two of those wins were over Punahou, which is on the cusp of the Top 10.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

9. Waiakea Warriors (13-5, 6-0 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 11.
Last week’s games
W 43-37 @ Kamehameha-Hawaii 01/05 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 1-5.
Top 10 wins: @ Sacred Hearts.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Mid-Pacific, ‘Iolani, @ Maryknoll, Kamehameha, Konawaena.

Skinny: That’s a key win over the always-tough D-II Warriors. This week, Waiakea has road games at Konawaena and Hilo. There is no easy road in the BIIF. Ever.

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

10. Mililani Trojans (12-7, 9-0 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 23.
Last week’s games
W 48-22 Waianae 01/04 OIA
W 51-40 @ #8 Campbell 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 1-6.
Top 10 wins: @ Campbell.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Maryknoll, Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, @ Waiakea, Konawaena, Hawaii Baptist, Kamehameha-Maui*.

Skinny: I scour the numbers constantly, but even that isn’t always enough to get a balanced perspective of every team. The Trojans have earned a spot on my ballot, and there are voters who agree with me. First, they finally scored a win over a Top 10 team by beating Campbell by a comfortable margin. Second, that’s a 9-0 mark in OIA West play. Sure, the West isn’t strong from top to bottom, but that’s still a remarkable run after a tough preseason.

Sumo rank: Komusubi. The promotion is warranted, and if the Trojans play to their potential, anything is possible in the wide-open OIA D-I playoffs.

11. Hilo Vikings (9-4, 5-1 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 13.
Last week’s games
W 64-17 @ Pahoa 01/03 BIIF
W 39-19 Honokaa 01/05 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 1-4.
Top 10 wins: Mid-Pacific.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Mililani*, ‘Iolani, Konawaena, Waiakea.

Skinny: In the 1990s, BIIF basketball was split by geography during the regular season. The North stayed in the North: Kohala, Honokaa, Hawaii Prep, Konawaena. And Laupahoehoe! Imagine that, being just 23 or so miles from Hilo, but logging major mileage driving to Konawaena and Kohala. The South was more compact with Hilo, Waiakea, St. Joseph, Pahoa and Ka‘u. Things sure have changed with the addition of Kealakehe and Kamehameha-Hawaii in the past two decades or so.

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

12. Sacred Hearts Lancers (10-9, 2-5 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 9.
Last week’s games: None.
L 61-59 Punahou 01/04 ILH
L 73-31 @ #1 Maryknoll 01/06 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 2-9.
Top 10 wins: Mid-Pacific, @ Punahou.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Konawaena, St. Francis, Hawaii Baptist, Waiakea, @ Kamehameha, Kamehameha, ‘Iolani, Punahou, @ Maryknoll.

Skinny: That’s four ILH losses in a row for the Lancers. Road games at Mid-Pacific and ‘Iolani await. This league is rough!

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

13. Leilehua Mules (8-4, 7-3 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 37-34 #8 Campbell 01/04 OIA
W 41-31 @ Nanakuli 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 1-0.
Top 10 wins: Campbell.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou II*, Kaimuki*, Mililani*, @ Radford*, Kapolei*.

Skinny: Coach Elroy Dumlao’s team has come a long way since that four-game losing streak early in the season. With seven wins in a row, they might be the hottest team in the OIA.

Sumo rank: Maegashira. Promotion time.

14. Punahou Buffanblu (9-7, 1-6 ILH)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 14.
Last week’s games: None.
W 61-59 @ #9 Sacred Hearts 01/04 ILH
Vs. Top 10: 2-7.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna, @ Sacred Hearts.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): St. Francis, Maryknoll, Kamehameha, Sacred Hearts, @ Mid-Pacific, ‘Iolani, Mid-Pacific.

Skinny: The young Buffanblu have been close so many times, they were going to break through with a win at some point as long as they were resilient.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

15. Campbell Sabers (13-4, 7-2 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 7.
Last week’s games
Vs. Top 10: 1-2.
Top 10 wins: Lahainaluna.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Hawaii Baptist, @ Konawaena, Leilehua, Mililani.

Skinny: It’s been a remarkable season for the Sabers, a team with nobody taller than 5-foot-7. But is there still enough gas in the tank to make a title run?

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

16. Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors (9-2, 4-2 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 12.
Last week’s games
W 51-17 Kealakehe 01/03 BIIF
L 43-37 #7 Waiakea 01/05 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 1-1.
Top 10 wins: Mid-Pacific.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Honokaa*, Waiakea.

Skinny: Traditionally powerful, this is clearly a sleeper threat come D-II state-tournament time.

Sumo rank: Sekiwake.

17. Kamehameha-Maui Warriors (8-4, 5-3 MIL D-I)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 15.
Last week’s games
L 42-32 @ Maui 01/05 MIL
W 51-40 King Kekaulike 01/06 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 0-3.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Lahainaluna, Kamehameha, @ Lahainaluna, @ Maui.

Skinny: The only consolation of losing at Maui is two-fold. It was a road game and this makes it a split of their two games so far. KS-Maui still hasn’t beaten a ranked team yet, and if they struggle again this week (a third game with Maui), there will likely be a much steeper fall.

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

18. Kahuku Red Raiders (8-9, 7-2 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 16.
Last week’s games
W 55-33 Kalaheo 01/04 OIA
L 49-45 @ Moanalua 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 1-5.
Top 10 wins: Kalani.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Sacred Hearts, @ Kamehameha, @ Maryknoll, @ Konawaena, Lahainaluna, Kaiser*, @ Moanalua*.

Skinny: They’re still one of the youngest teams in the state, so I treat this resume like any other. It’s about quality wins and head-to-head results. But the potential and talent are making it hard to be patient. They might be good enough to take the OIA title this year instead of next.

Sumo rank: Komusubi.

19. Kalani Falcons (11-7, 8-1 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 17.
Last week’s games
W 50-36 @ Castle 01/04 OIA
W 72-34 Kalaheo 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-6.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Maryknoll, Kamehameha, Punahou, Southridge (Ore.), Miramonte (Calif.), ‘Iolani, Kahuku*.

Skinny: They seem quite fine without G Heidi Kishiba, but as the season funnels into the playoffs, experience and decision-making become major traits of successful teams.

Sumo rank: Komusubi. The promotion is earned.

20. Kauai Red Raiders (8-1, 5-0 KIF)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 26.
Last week’s games
W 49-45 Waimea 01/02 KIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-1.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ St. Francis.

Skinny: The close margins of victory in the KIF don’t help voters much. I think most of them want to see some kind of domination by one team before they consider adding the KIF to their ballot even though that may be unfair. And it just might be. Kauai has wins over ‘Iolani II (52-41) and Punahou II (48-39), and the one loss was 52-39 at St. Francis. Who has St. Francis beaten by more than 13 points? McKinley (25-point margin), Sacred Hearts (15), Molokai (46), Moanalua (31), Castle (23), Punahou (18), Kapolei (27), La Pietra (41), Le Jardin (42), University (32), Kamehameha II (26), Hanalani (45), Damien (20), Punahou II (22). What in the name of Krystle Henry is going on here?

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

21. Moanalua Na Menehune (12-9, 6-3 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 20.
Last week’s games
W 74-20 @ Kailua 01/04 OIA
W 49-45 Kahuku 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 1-4.
Top 10 wins: Mid-Pacific.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou, Mililani*, @ Sacred Hearts, St. Francis, Lahainaluna, Hilo*, McKinley*, @ Kaimuki*, @ Roosevelt*.

Skinny: They have one of the most experienced coaches (Tani Almont-Done). They are one of the hottest teams in the league. They’re going up while a fast starter like Campbell is struggling. Momentum goes a long way in the playoffs.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

22. Roosevelt Rough Riders (8-8, 6-4 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 18.
Last week’s games
L 55-45 Kaimuki 01/04 OIA
W 35-30 @ Farrington 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-2.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Campbell, @ Radford*, Waiakea, Kamehameha-Maui*, Kaiser*, Kahuku*, @ Kalani, Kaimuki*.

Skinny: That’s five wins in their last six games.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

23. McKinley Tigers (12-7, 6-3 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 19.
Last week’s games
W 28-26 @ Kaiser 01/04 OIA
W 43-33 Kailua 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-4
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha, Punahou, Sacred Hearts, St. Francis, Kalani*, @ Farrington*, Roosevelt*.

Skinny: The losses have been so close, except for a 16-point defeat at the hands of Farrington — a team that did not qualify for the playoffs. The wins have been close, too. These are the Cardiac Tigers.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

24. Kaiser Cougars (8-9, 5-3 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 21.
Last week’s games
L 28-26 McKinley 01/04 OIA
W 43-40 @ Kaimuki 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-5.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Lahainaluna, Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, Kamehameha-Hawaii*, Punahou, Kamehameha-Maui*, Kalani, @ Moanalua*, McKinley*.

Skinny: The parity of the OIA, particularly the East, has been like nothing I can remember over the past 35 years or so. It is almost random who will beat who in the East.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

25. Kaimuki Bulldogs (8-9, 5-3 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 27.
Last week’s games
W 55-45 @ Roosevelt 01/04 OIA
L 43-40 Kaiser 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-3.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kamehameha, @ Hawaii Baptist, ‘Iolani II*, Hilo*, Konawaena, @ Kalani, Kahuku*, @ McKinley*, Kaiser.

Skinny: The Bulldogs had won five of six before the homecourt loss to Kaiser.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

26. Kamehameha II Warriors (9-7, 5-1 ILH D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 24.
Last week’s games: None.
Vs. Top 10: 0-3.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): King Kekaulike*, @ Campbell, Kapolei*, Mid-Pacific, @ Kaiser*, Kamehameha-Hawaii*, St. Francis.

Skinny: No games for more than two weeks. How will the D-II Warriors fare after that long break?

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

27. Radford Rams (8-6, 7-2 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 24.
Last week’s games
W 46-24 Aiea 01/04 OIA
L 38-30 @ Waianae 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-4.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou, Lahainaluna, Maryknoll, Kamehameha, @ Mililani*, @ Waianae.

Skinny: The loss at Waianae ended the Lady Rams’ five-game win streak.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

28. Waianae Seariders (5-4, 5-4 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 26.
Last week’s games
L 48-22 @ Mililani 01/04 OIA
W 38-30 Radford 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-1.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Campbell, @ Nanakuli*, Leilehua*, @ Mililani*.

Skinny: The win over Radford ended a four-game losing streak for the Seariders, who had begun OIA West play 4-0.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

29. King Kekaulike Na Alii (4-6, 3-5 MIL D-I)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 22.
Last week’s games
L 55-22 #4 Lahainaluna 01/03 MIL
L 51-40 @ Kamehameha-Maui 01/06 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 0-3.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Kapolei*, Lahainaluna, @ Lahainaluna, Kamehameha-Maui*, Lahainaluna, @ Kamehameha-Maui*.

Skinny: Na Alii have lost their last three games. Baldwin and Maui are on the slate this week.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

30. Maui Sabers (5-3, 5-2 MIL)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 42-32 Kamehameha-Maui 01/05 MIL
Vs. Top 10: 0-1.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): King Kekaulike*, Keaau*, @ Kamehameha-Maui*, Lahainaluna, King Kekaulike*.

Skinny: With no Lahainaluna on the schedule for at least another week, the Sabers have a chance to build on their two-game win streak. They forfeited to Lahainaluna on Dec. 16, so it’s tough to gauge exactly where the Sabers are. The win over KS-Maui, though, is the biggest one so far this season.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

31. Keaau Cougars (5-6, 3-3 BIIF)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 58-34 @ Hawaii Prep 01/02 BIIF
W 39-25 Pahoa 01/04 BIIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-3.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Waiakea, Hawaii Baptist, Konawaena, @ Konawaena.

32. Nanakuli Golden Hawks (9-11, 6-3 OIA)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 28.
Last week’s games
L 41-31 Leilehua 01/06 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-5.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Hawaii Baptist, Kapolei*, @ Kamehameha, @ Kaiser*, @ Moanalua*, Kapolei*, Punahou, @ Kalani, Radford*, @ Campbell, Leilehua*.

Skinny: That five-game win streak came to a halt with losses to Campbell and Leilehua last week.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

33. Seabury Hall Spartans (9-2, 6-0 MIL D-II)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 29.
Last week’s games: None.
Vs. Top 10: 0-0.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Kauai*, @ Kapaa*.

Skinny: By the time the Spartans play on Friday, nearly two weeks will have passed since their last game.

Sumo rank: Juryo.

34. Kapaa Warriors (2-5, 1-4 KIF)
Pupule ranking last week: Unranked.
Last week’s games
W 59-56 @ Waimea 01/05 KIF
Vs. Top 10: 0-0.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): @ Seabury Hall, Waimea, @ Kauai, @ Waimea, Kauai.

Skinny: The Warriors… I wonder what we would see in them if they had many more games in preseason. If the KIF somehow could get outside their sphere of three basketball teams. They pushed first-place Kauai hard in a 42-41 loss. They got blown out by 19 against Waimea, then went to Waimea two weeks later and won. Something’s going right at Kapaa, and the rest of the state might never know exactly what.

Sumo rank: Juryo.

35. Kapolei Hurricanes (12-6, 5-4 OIA West)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 35.
W 64-17 Waialua 01/04 OIA
W 86-26 @ Aiea 01/06 OIA
Last week’s games
Vs. Top 10: 0-2.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Roosevelt*, St. Francis, Nanakuli*, @ Campbell, Mililani*, @ Radford*.

Skinny: That’s four wins in a row for the roller-coaster Hurricanes.

Sumo rank: Maegashira.

On the cusp

Farrington Governors (5-8, 4-5 OIA East)
Pupule ranking last week: No. 30.
Last week’s games
L 35-30 Roosevelt 01/05 OIA
Vs. Top 10: 0-4.
Top 10 wins: None.
Losses (Non-Top 10*): Punahou, Sacred Hearts, ‘Iolani, @ Kahuku*, Kalani, @ Moanalua*, Roosevelt*.

Skinny: That’s two losses in a row for a scrappy, undersized and young team. The future is bright, but there will be no playoffs this season for the defending OIA D-I champions.

Sumo rank: Juryo.

Christian Academy Patriots (7-0, 6-0 ILH D-III)
Le Jardin Bulldogs (4-8, 4-5 ILH D-II)
University Jr. Bows (7-9, 3-6 ILH D-II)