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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Quest for D-I crown has early marquee matchups

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kaimuki's Keone Reyes is a dominant inside force, who can also step out and hit the 3.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Kalaheo junior guard Cheynne Lishman is part of the Mustangs� tall and balanced attack.

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Radford guard Travis Daniels is quick and excels in the open court.

Photos by JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser

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�Iolani�s Liloa Nobriga is a mobile sophomore forward for the five-time defending state champions.

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Campbell guard Mike Makinano is a dangerous shooter and scorer.

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Saint Louis senior center Scott Smith dominates in the post with his 6-foot-7, 245-pound frame.

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The Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Division I Championships get underway a day earlier than usual tonight.

The heavyweight showdowns also seem to be a day early, with today's quarterfinal-type first-round matchups featuring O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kalaheo vs. Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular-season champion Honoka'a and five-time defending state champ 'Iolani, of the Interscholastic of Honolulu, facing Maui Interscholastic League runner-up Baldwin.

Here is a closer look at all 12 tournament teams:

BALDWIN

Coach: Wayne Gushiken

Record: 8-3

Berth: MIL runner-up

NOTABLE: The Bears could have tied for the regular-season championship and forced a playoff, but lost to Lahainaluna in the league finale. They did rally to win the postseason tournament, only to fall to Kamehameha-Maui, 49-45, in overtime for the overall title. Junior forward Chase Nakamura (6-3) is an Advertiser All-State receiver in football and a very active scorer inside and in the open court. Junior center Jordan Helle (6-2) is an all-MIL quarterback and can be a force in the post. Baldwin is relatively young, with only three seniors (center Ike Duru, and guards John Salmo and John Cabael).

CAMPBELL

Coach: Bob Samson

Record: 10-5

Berth: OIA fourth place

NOTABLE: The Sabers are in their third straight state tournament. Junior guard Mike Makinano (5-11) is a dangerous shooter/scorer, but his status is said to be in question for tonight's game. Senior guard Jayden Delizo had a 23-point outing against Kalaheo in the OIA semifinals. Campbell doesn't mind getting into a running game.

HONOKA'A

Coach: Cheyenne Meyer

Record: 14-2

Berth: BIIF runner-up

NOTABLE: The Dragons actually won the BIIF regular-season championship, beating Kea'au in a special playoff. But they were upset by Konawaena, 61-58, in the league tournament semifinals. Junior swingman Kien Aveiro (6-0) is a top shooter, junior point guard Keala Freitas (5-9) runs the offense and senior Komokana Fernandez (6-0) and junior Damian Sabater-Hart control the post.

'IOLANI

Coach: Mark Mugiishi

Record: 10-2

Berth: ILH runner-up

NOTABLE: The Raiders are playing in the first round for the first time since 2000. They struggled offensively in their last outing, a 60-46 loss to Punahou in the regular-season finale. Senior guard Ryan Dung (6-0) has been the most consistent shooter and scorer, although fellow senior guard Case Miyahira (5-11) was the early scoring leader and is the team's purest shooter. Sophomore forward Liloa Nobriga (6-4) is mobile and can even bring the ball up the floor against pressure, creating matchup problems. Sophomore guard Kela Marciel (5-10) is a top defender. Sophomore forward Pablo Warner (6-2) is slender but has a knack for getting rebounds and scores often on putbacks.

KAIMUKI

Coach: Kelly Grant

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA champion

NOTABLE: The Bulldogs are peaking at the right time, after losing five games in the regular season. Senior forwards Keone Reyes (6-0) and Beau Albrechtson (6-4) can be unstoppable in the post, and they also can shoot 3-pointers. Senior guard Daniel Colon (5-9) is the steady factor in the backcourt, and he's also capable of scoring from inside and out. Senior point guard Brandon Madamba (5-7) has hit some big shots in the postseason.

KALAHEO

Coach: Chico Furtado

Record: 12-3

Berth: OIA runner-up

NOTABLE: The Mustangs are making their 17th consecutive state tournament appearance. They have a balanced scoring attack, led by junior guard Cheynne Lishman (6-1), senior forward Cliffton Pires (6-3), senior guard Chase Moses (6-2) and senior center Tyler Caswell (6-6). Junior Cody vonAppen (5-9) has taken over at point guard and provides steady ball-handling and aggressive defense. Senior guard Koa Siliga (5-9) is athletic and brings energy off the bench.

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I

Coach: Nelson Wong

Record: 15-2

Berth: BIIF champion

NOTABLE: The Warriors finished third in the BIIF regular season but won the postseason tournament and overall championship with victories over Honoka'a and Konawaena. They have six senior returnees from a team that played in last year's state tournament, led by guard Mea Wong (6-0). But several juniors, including forwards Kealoha Kramer (6-0), Hogan Rosehill (6-0) and Colten Collins (5-11), and guards Isaiah Kekaualua (5-11) and Russell Kackley (6-1), play significant roles.

KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI

Coach: Lance Cagasan

Record: 9-2

Berth: MIL champion

NOTABLE: The Warriors won the MIL regular season, lost to Baldwin in overtime in the postseason tournament final, 47-46, then won the special playoff last Saturday, 49-45, in overtime, for the overall championship. Kamehameha-Maui does not have great height (juniors Erwin DeCoite and Kaiea Medeiros are the tallest players at 6 feet 2) and are relatively young, with only two seniors (forwards Keaton Tam and Jordan Jenkins).

MOANALUA

Coach: Greg Tacon

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA fifth place

NOTABLE: Na Menehune are guard-oriented, led by explosive junior Stevie Austin (5-10). Junior forwards Josh Kure (6-2) and Ryan Hua (6-0) are good shooters and junior center Shawn Richey (6-3) is active. Senior forward Kris Lazarou (6-0) can hit big shots off the bench. First-year coach Tacon guided Punahou to three state tournament berths in five years.

PUNAHOU

Coach: Dan Hale

Record: 11-1

Berth: ILH champion

NOTABLE: The Buffanblu won their first ILH title since 1999 by snapping 'Iolani's six-year championship streak. They are led by explosive senior point guard Miah Ostrowski (5-9), who is a ball-handling wizard and can score in big bunches off a dazzling array of drives to the basket or a barrage of mid-range to 3-point outside shots. Senior forward Spencer McLachlin is another four-year letterman who is active in grabbing rebounds and scoring from out to mid-range. He also will shoot the occasional 3-pointer. Senior forward Kameron Steinhoff is an athletic complement to McLachlin in the post. Sophomore guard Dalton Hilliard (5-10) has tremendous quickness.

RADFORD

Coach: Kai Enos

Record: 11-5

Berth: OIA third place

NOTABLE: The Rams are playing well, especially in the shooting department. Senior guard Gary Satterwhite (6-4) has a smooth, consistent jumper that can hit from mid-range to deep in 3-point territory. Senior guard Travis Daniels (5-9) is quick and can score on fast breaks, and senior guard So'oso'o Taulelei (6-4) can cause matchup problems with his size and deceptive speed in the open court. Senior forward Justin Lord (6-0) is athletic and can shoot, and senior center Antonio Williams (6-5) can score and rebound when he is active.

SAINT LOUIS

Coach: Delbert Tengan

Record: 12-3

Berth: ILH third place

NOTABLE: The Crusaders have been busy but are on a roll, having won three must-win games in convincing fashion. Senior center Scott Smith (6-7) is dominant in the post, grabbing a ton of rebounds and scoring often on putbacks. Junior guard Cole Shidaki (6-0) is a solid scorer who can shoot or score on creative drives in the open court. Senior guard Kuli'a Aiona (5-10) is a deadly mid-range shooter and has a knack for hitting key baskets. Senior forward Solomona Aigamaua (6-3) adds a physical complement to Smith and helps with scoring and rebounding. Junior forward Jamison Miller (6-5) is becoming more active.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.