Windward Basketball Teams Reap Rewards For OIA Play
Kalaheo veteran Josh Ko and relative newcomer Kalei Zuttermeister saved some of their biggest efforts for their biggest games in helping lead the Mustangs to their latest state basketball title.
Both players were rewarded for their efforts recently when they were named to the OIA East’s All-Conference Team. (All-Star teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.)
Ko averaged 11 points per game and came up big in the state tournament, exceeding his average and converting several clutch baskets. Zuttermeister transferred from nearby Castle and was one of the Mustangs’ most consistent performers, averaging 10.9 points for the year.
Teammate and defensive standout Derick Morgan was named to the Second Team, and six players – Kupaa Harrison, Alec MacLeod, Silila Tucker, Kurt Vegas, Kalani Green and Shem Sukumaran – were Honorable Mentions.
Kahuku’s Kawe Johnson made the First Team for the second year in a row, having been Player of the Year in 2011-12. Teammates Lamone Williams, Hirkley Latu, LaSalle Thompson and Will Cravens earned Honorable Mention.
Kirk Ronolo Jr. made the First Team from Kailua, which wrapped up a stellar hoops season of its own with a second-place finish at the Division II state tournament. The Surfriders also won the OIA White Conference title and finished 10-8 overall. Ronolo averaged 13.8 points per game, fourth best in the OIA White, while teammates Kekoa Ford, Noah Auld, Matthew Bishop and Mason Youart earned Honorable Mention.
Receiving Honorable Mention from Castle were Kela Shea, Joe Lilio III and Nui Furtado.
In girls basketball, Kahuku’s Fia Tailele-Latu was selected as a First Team All-Star despite only playing in eight games because of an injury. While in the lineup, Tailele-Latu was a difference-maker and one of the top players in the OIA. She averaged 13.3 points per game through her first six outings for Kahuku, which finished an injury-plagued season at 8-6.
The Red Raiders also had Honorable Mentions in Kalyn Latu, Leilani Paselio, Mata Tonga and Tyra Williams.
In Division II, Kalaheo’s Gabby Clark was named to the Second Team after helping to lead the Mustangs to the White title as well as a state tournament berth. The Mustangs also had Jade Martin, Jayla Tamashiro, Lindsay Unsell and Tara Takata earn Honorable Mentions.
Kailua had five players named Honorable Mention: Briana Kassebeer, Delcie Williams, Kahoa Mikaele, Keala Kaio-Perez and Patria Vaimaona. The team went 10-8 overall this winter, finishing second in the OIA White and fifth at the DII state tournament.
