DIVISION I

'IOLANI

Coach: Glenn Takara

Key players: Jamie Smith (6-0, sr., forward); Chanel Hirata (5-4, sr., guard); Kylie Ahlo (5-4, sr., guard); Dayna Jandoc (5-6, sr., guard); Raechele Takara (5-4, sr., guard); Tami Konishi (5-4, jr., guard); Lori Yamashita (5-3, soph., guard)

Notes: The Raiders have experience in four-year Division I players Smith and Hirata. Ahlo, Jandoc, Takara, Konishi and Yamashita each are in their second year. ... 'Iolani will primarily play a man defense, mixed with some zone ... the Raiders will utilize a motion offense.

The coach says: "We will try to play an uptempo style because of our size. Jamie is our tallest player. Our second tallest is freshman Hailey Maeda at 5-8."

KAMEHAMEHA

Coach: Clay Cockett

Key players: Rhani Kaneaiakala (sr., forward); Lindsey Wong (jr., guard), Alexis Furtado (5-2, jr., guard); Kylle Roy (5-9, jr., forward); Casey Lum (5-8, sr., forward); Shaleese Javillo (5-4, sr., guard); Tiana Abbley (sr., guard)

Notes: The Warriors have lots of experienced players (the roster has six seniors, five juniors and a freshman).

The coach says: "We're not a big team, so we will rely on pressure perimeter defense and sound box-out technique. On offense, we'll run every chance we get, and then execute smart half court offense. Playing well together is important for this team. Being together as one team may be more important."

MID-PACIFIC

Coach: Byron Cheng

Key players: Johnnelle Kapua (5-6, jr., guard); Keaton McFadden (5-11, soph., center); Ashley Yamachika (5-4, fr., guard)

Notes: The Owls are young ... no seniors and one junior in the starting five ... but all of them have at least one year varsity experience as well as exposure to playing against Mainland teams during the past two summers. They play an uptempo game, pushing the ball upcourt on offense and pressing and trapping on defense.

The coach says: "We're young but have gotten to the point that we're not intimidated by anyone anymore. The girls are playing with a lot more confidence now. We want to make it to the States and feel we can."

PUNAHOU

Coach: Mike Taylor

Key players: Shawna Lei Kuehu (5-10, sr., forward); Shaena Lyn Kuehu (5-9, sr., guard/forward); Dara Tompkison (5-4, sr., guard); Janelle Nomura (5-4, jr., guard); Tressa Torres (5-9, jr., forward); Becca Lau (5-5, jr., guard)

Notes: With a core of 10 returnees and the return of the Kuehu twins, the expectation of excellence is high. Their main goal for the season is to play up to their individual and team potential. They'll try to get out and pressure the ball over the entire court and play aggressive and helping defense. On offense the Buffanblu want to value the basketball, take high quality shots and create easier opportunities to score in transition.

The coach says: "This team is experienced, talented and very hungry to play to their potential. They work extremely hard each day in practice, love competition and are very supportive of their teammates."

SACRED HEARTS

Coach: Alan Matsui

Key players: Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua (5-4, jr, guard); Kuhina Luis (5-6, jr., forward); Ashley Ordenstein (5-4, sr., guard); Maya Clark (5-4, sr., guard); Kamri Lin (5-8, jr., forward); Lindsey Bareng (5-4, jr., forward)

Notes: The Lancers move up from the Division II, but lack of height and depth are a concern. The loss of two players with extensive playing time to soccer also makes it tough. Junior Kuhina Luis also missed two weeks in the preseason with a wrist injury, but is working her way back into the starting line up.

The coach says: "This is a fun-loving bunch. The challenge of the coaches is to get the team to be disciplined in one of the toughest leagues in the state. We will have to play an almost perfect game to be competitive."

DIVISION II

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Coach: Michael Fredeluces

Key players: Amber Acedo (5-6, jr., guard); Sarah Godinet (5-8, soph., forward); Megan Winters (5-5, soph., guard); Tori Adgres (5-5, fr., guard)

Notes: The Lady Patriots expect to play a more conservative style than in the past. They will be looking to slowing down the tempo of the game to get the most out of their possessions.

The coach says: "Our team may look small on paper but we may have the biggest hearts in the league. We will strive to show Patriot Pride in every game and reveal the character of Jesus in our play every time we take the court."

HANALANI

Coach: Charles Hiers

Key players: Janel Fetui (5-7, sr., guard); Samantha Hyde (5-2, soph., guard); Ruth Matalau (5-10, sr., post); Rachel Matalau (5-10, jr., post); Nicole Craig (5-2, soph., guard)

Notes: The Royals will favor running a half-court offense and trying to get the ball dow low to their post players, the Matalau sisters.

The coach says: "If we can win the box and the boards we will have a chance to win the game. Our starting back court has two sophomores, and we're improving from game to game."

HAWAI'I BAPTIST

Coach: Reid Takatsuka

Key players: Carissa Onuma (5-4, sr., guard/forward); Narissa Fujii (5-4, jr., guard/forward); Keline Yoshimura (5-3, jr., guard)

Notes: The Eagles want to play an uptempo game and try to overcome a lack of height with overall athleticism.

The coach says: "We're never the biggest team on the court, but our girls have a lot of heart and they are willing to compete. That's what I love about this team. They are always willing to go out there and give it their best regardless how much bigger or faster the other teams are."

LA PIETRA

Coach: Anthony Czaja

Key players: Sarah Peoples (6-2, sr., forward/center); Cody Koa (5-3, jr., guard); Stacey Martin (5-9, sr., forward); Shannon Waltz (5-11, soph., guard)

Notes: The Lady Panthers, a young team with only two returning players from last year, will try to rely on an aggressive defense to create opportunities.

The coach says: "After replacing nine seniors, this young team is showing promise. It is anchored in the middle by Sarah Peoples, a returning ILH Division II all-star. The other captains, first-year varsity player Cody Koa and senior Stacey Martin, bring a level of determination that a young team must have to reach its goals. Other players looking to make their first splash on varsity are 5-11 sophomore guard Shannon Waltz, with her aggressive defense and improving offense; 5-4 freshman guard Xiu Xiu Cooney, with her speed to push the envelope, and junior guard Alexandra Del Favero-Campbell, with her tenacity and jump shot. The team is looking to improve throughout the year and be in position in early February to have a special final season for its two seniors."

LANAKILA BAPTIST

Coach: Dwight Lindsey

Key players: Sarah Butler (5-7, sr., forward/center); Davlyn Aviles (5-4, sr., guard/forward); Jessica Aquino (5-2, sr., guard)

Notes: The Warriors are making a return to varsity play after several years in hiatus. Butler was named to the La Pietra All-Tournament team.

The coach says: "Lanakila Baptist is trying to rebuild its athletic program, and these girls paved the way at the intermediate level. They're making us proud. It'll be a growing season, but we'll try to elevate the program and we hope to surprise some people."

LE JARDIN

Coach: Arthur King

Key players: Ryann Kurahara (5-5, sr., guard); Jessica Shiarella (5-7, sr., guard)

Notes: With eight first-year varsity players, the Bulldogs like to run a half-court offense and focus on being strong defensively as well as rebounding.

The coach says: "We have a lot of players that will gain experience this year. The players are eager to learn and we're having fun."

MARYKNOLL

Coach: Bobby Samson

Key players: Kristen Canencia (5-1, jr., point guard); Samantha Chung (5-9, sr., forward); Melissa Ching (5-1, jr., guard); Soana Fifita (5-8, jr., center)

Notes: The Spartans are playing in Division II for the first time. They like the uptempo full-court game and have the bench to play at this pace. Three seniors are joined by two juniors in their third years at the varsity level, and two sophomores are in their second year. Freshman guard Ashley Agcaoili will be worth watching.

The coach says: "Although this is our first stint in Division II, we take nothing for granted. We will have to earn everything we get. There are teams in the division that are very capable of beating us. We need to work hard and continue to improve every day."

ST. ANDREW'S

Coach: Chad Mizunaka

Key players: Maile Tua (5-9, sr., center); Minna Watanabe (5-6, jr., guard/forward); Noelani Kawashima (5-2, jr., guard)

Notes: The Pride are a very young team with only two seniors, four juniors and four sophomores. Offensively, they prefer to play an uptempo style of basketball. Defensively, they will be very physical.

The coach says: "The success of our team will be based on how far our three team captains (Tua, Watanabe and Kawashima) will take us. We would like to repeat the success from last season and return to the State tournament again."

ST. FRANCIS

Coach: Paul Tanaka

Key players: Bryanna Batts (5-5, sr., guard); Nikki Perry (5-5, sr., guard); Kaui Berinobis (5-0, sr., guard)

Notes: The Troubadours lost three potential starters to transfers, including one military dependent. They filled the void with five girls promoted from the JV. St. Francis returns six varsity players overall.

The coach says: "We had to rebuild a bit, and we've had to learn about the new girls. But we have some talented freshmen, and the team has responded well."

UNIVERSITY

Coach: Bryan Nakamura

Key players: Nicole Bareng (5-7, sr., forward); Sarah Cockett (5-6, sr., guard/forward); Brittany Copp (5-8, sr., forward/center)

Notes: With seven returnees from last year (five seniors and two juniors), this is an experienced team. ... Because of a relative lack of size, they will try to play an uptempo style with an emphasis on defense.

The coach says: "We will look for leadership and experience from our five seniors and energy from our younger players to hopefully be competitive in our league."

WORD OF LIFE

Coach: Roy Alvarado

Key players: Brittany Iwamoto (5-10, sr., center); Rayane Alvarado (5-2, jr., guard)

Notes: The Firebrands like to keep the tempo up, but have a young and inexperienced team (three seniors, a junior, four sophomores and three freshmen).

The coach says: "If we focus on the little details, then everything else will fall in place and we will experience success."

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