OIA Singles Out Windward Teams For Basketball Honors
When the bulk of Kalaheo’s 2013 state basketball title team graduated last May, returnee Kupaa Harrison’s leadership and scoring grew more critical than ever before.
The junior responded in a big way for the Mustangs on both counts, helping Kalaheo to a 26-10 overall record (including preseason games) during boys basketball season. Indeed, only an injury could slow Harrison, who was unable to participate in the Division I state tournament.
By that time, he’d already established himself among the state’s top scorers. He averaged 18.4 points per game, highlighted by a spectacular 31-point effort versus Campbell in an OIA Red tournament game late in the season. Harrison was named a Red East First Team All-Star, the league announced recently. (All-Conference teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches’ at season’s end.)
Sophomore Kekai Smith made the Second Team from Kalaheo, which went 11-3 versus OIA competition, including the league’s regular and post-season games. Smith averaged 12.7 point per game.
Teammates Zack Marrotte, Daio Del Castillo, LJ Barnes and Alec McCloud all earned Honorable Mentions.
* Kahuku sophomore Hirkley Latu made the Red East’s First Team after averaging 13.7 points per game (fifth-best in the league) for the Red Raiders, who finished the season at 6-6.
Teammates Soli Afalava, Samuta Avea, Kesi Ahoy, Tuli Wily-Matagi and Chance Maghanoy all earned Honorable Mentions.
* Kailua, which finished its Red East slate at 7-5, had five players earn Honorable Mentions: Christian Kamu Scheer, Matthew Bishop, Kawehe Kohatsu, Christian Mejia and Peter Kanoho.
* Earning Honorable Mentions from Castle were Joseph Lilio III, KJ Ng, Keanu Furtado, David Benevedes and Justin Pang.
OIA girls basketball
Kailua led the way in OIA girls basketball in the Red East, finishing fourth at the post-season tourney and earning a berth in the Division I state tournament.
Sophomore Taufau Williams and junior Patria Vaimaona were both named Second Team All-Stars.
Williams averaged 17.5 points per game to finish third in the OIA Red in scoring. Vaimaona averaged 12.4 points per game for the Surfriders, who finished 9-5 under coach Mandy Llamedo.
Kailua also saw Delcie Williams and Tara Takata earn Honorable Mentions.
* Kahuku’s Adora Anae was a Second Team pick in the Red East after averaging 13.5 points per game. Teammates Fifi Tonga, Kela Schwenke, Taimane Avei and Talia Brown earned Honorable Mention.
* Castle finished third in the OIA White tournament en route to earning a berth in the Division II state tournament. The Lady Knights also defeated Kohala in their first-round state tournament game, giving the program its first win at that event in recent memory.
The team had Breana Hidalgo, Shaney Boogie Tiumalu, Sheastel Ella Tiumalu and Sierra Koki earn Honorable Mentions.
* Receiving Honorable Mention from Kalaheo were Esther Ilab, Michelle Sasaki, Shauntay Sugse, Sierra Yamaguchi, Tyra Meredith and Ulu Perry.
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