Team Aloha, the girls basketball team organized by Mufi Hannemann and a staff of coaches, made a big splash in the 17-under 3-Stripe Elite Division at the Adidas Gauntlet tournament in Glendale, Ariz., Apr. 15-17.
Playing University of Phoenix Stadium, Team Aloha won its pool with a 3-0 record. On Friday, they defeated EBC Elite 41-32 and TriCity 1 65-9. On Saturday, Team Aloha trounced AZ Sting Mac 78-15.
On Sunday, Team Aloha defeated BC Denver Elite 2018 48-25 to start championship-bracket play. The team from Hawaii then beat Spokane Legacy 17U 42-33. Team Aloha then lost to Northwest Blazers Ice 61-55 in the championship game, finishing second in a field of 32 teams.
Team Aloha members are:
Isabella Cravens, Maryknoll, 6-2, F, So.
Kamanu Kamakawiwoole, Maryknoll, 5-10, F, Fr.
Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou, 5-7, G, Jr.
Chayse Milne, Maryknoll, 5-8, G, So.
Celena Jane Molina, Konawaena, 5-9, F, Jr.
Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena, 5-5, G, So.
Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha, 5-10, F, Fr.
Mikayla Tablit, Konawaena, 5-4, G, So.
Kodee Viena, Maryknoll, 5-8, G, So.
Longtime Kaimuki girls basketball coach Mona Fa‘asoa is the coach for Team Aloha, assisted by former Aiea coach Rodney Cavaco.
Mr. Honda, it’s Kamalu Kamakawiwoole. I also would like to have seen more diversity in the picks for this team. 3 girls from both Kona and Maryknoll is too much in my opinion. Who chose these teams?
Molimau Heimuli of Farrington is definitely a top 8 player in the state (non seniors). Came Aguinaldo of Iolani is solid. Victoria Kintz of Kaimuki is another one.
BBall Fan: As I understood it, the girls are selected after participation in the Mufi Jamboree. Looking back at the rosters for that I see that Kintz & Aguinaldo participated in that but Heimuli did not. But then I noticed that Tablit and Viena were not part of the Jamboree rosters but were selected for Team Aloha so I guess Mufi wanted to load the team with girls from the state finals teams.
Personally, I think the first 6 girls on the list are great choices. I don’t really get the selection of Tablit and Viena as I think there are probably a good number of other girls in the state who are as good or better than those 2. As for Obrey, my guess is that she was selected on a basis of team need as there aren’t a whole lot of quality posts with legit size but I didn’t watch any Kamehameha games this year so I don’t know how good she is.
I agree with Rams33. I was surprised with the Obrey, Tablit, and Viena choices. From Maryknoll, Omori has a way more productive season.
Viena is a very tough defender. So is Talbit. And they both can shoot the three. Obrey led ksk in scoring in ILH d1 play as a freshman among other stats. All three are team first players. Maybe that’s why they were selected. Omori is great. Team looks guard heavy though.
The Farrington girl is amazing! Did you see what she did to Punahou in states? They had to double and sometimes triple her. Obrey wasn’t nearly as successful when they played Punahou.
Farrington went to states, KS didn’t. They weren’t too good this year.
Molimau Heimuli averaged 16.7 points for the season and went for 18 in states against Punahou, 21 vs. KS- Maui, and 16 vs. Radford. Those are high level stats for Hawaii. She went for 40 vs. Moanalua. WOW!
Obrey went for 7, 14, and 4 in 3 games vs Punahou (8.3 PPG). That’s not high level. Thats good for a freshman. But isn’t this team for the top 8 players in the state that are not seniors?
I think Heimuli is definitely top tier in the state. No doubt. She carries a huge load for the govs. I’m surprised she didn’t make it. She will kill it her senior year. Radford also has a very tall girl. She should get some looks.
And yeah. Heimuli played very well vs Moe and Malufau even though Malufau was not at full strength. Stats vs Moanalua, Radford and Maui don’t hold much weight. Would love to see them play again. They still have Uyeda I believe. She’s tough! Maybe they’ll meet in states again.
40 points against anyone does hold some weight regardless of who you play. How many girls over the past 25 years have scored 40 points in a regular season game. I bet you it’s not that many. And why doesn’t stats in states not carry weight? It’s still states, played in a large arena, in front of a lot of people. That alone is impressive even if it’s in the consolation side of the bracket. That is more impressive than not making states at all, don’t you think?