Those who can't wait for the Hawaiian Airlines/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball State Tournament to start every year finally get their wish, as the 50th annual event will begin a day early this time.

Action begins today — an extremely rare Tuesday tip-off — with first-round doubleheaders at Radford and McKinley.

The two gyms will host quarterfinal doubleheaders tomorrow, with the semifinals and final set for Thursday and Friday at the University of Hawai'i's Stan Sheriff Center.

Four-time defending champion Iolani is again the No. 1 seed, but unlike other years, the Raiders will enter the 12-team tournament with two regular-season losses. They saw their 105-game win streak against Hawai'i opponents snapped against Punahou in the James Alegre Invitational in December, then saw their 61-game Interscholastic League of Honolulu victory streak fall to Kamehameha last month.

Following is a capsule look at each of the tournament teams: (Records are for regular season only)

BALDWIN

Head coach: Wayne Gushiken

Record: 11-1 (MIL champion)

Notable: The Bears are coming off their best state tournament finish (third place) since 1991, but graduated several key members from that squad. One returnee is senior guard Matt Heyd, a 6-foot shooter who scored 20 points in a 36-34 victory over Kahuku and 18 points in a 51-44 loss to Kamehameha in the Punahou Holiday Classic. Chase Nakamura, a 6-2 sophomore, is another top scorer.

CAMPBELL

Head coach: Bob Samson

Record: 11-3 (OIA fourth place)

Notable: The Sabers are coming off a 64-33 loss to Kalaheo in the OIA's third-place game. But they are athletic and dangerous when they get on a roll. Mike Makinano, a 5-11 sophomore guard, is a midseason addition to the roster and has produced instant offense with strong outside shooting. Ryan Hayes (5-8) is a veteran senior guard who has come up big with clutch performances in key victories. Tristan Sealy, a 6-3 junior guard, is a returning starter and can score from mid-range or on transition layups.

HONOKA'A

Head coach: Cheyenne Meyer

Record: 12-5 (BIIF runner-up)

Notable: The Dragons finished fourth in the regular-season standings but earned the state berth by winning the league's postseason tournament, which did not include champion Kamehameha-Hawai'i. Honoka'a held off Kealakehe, 51-49, then avenged losses to regular-season runner-up Waiakea (37-26) and Kea'au (45-43, OT) to earn the berth. Tramaine Baquiring, a steady 5-7 point guard, is one of 10 seniors on a veteran squad. Sophomore center Kien Aveiro (6-1) has come up big in the scoring column, and freshman wing Auwae DeRego (6-0) has emerged as an impact player.

IOLANI

Head coach: Mark Mugiishi

Record: 11-2 (ILH champion)

Notable: The Raiders won their sixth straight league championship and are shooting for a record fifth straight state title. Unlike past years, when Iolani was led by NCAA Division I-bound players, this year's group has had to rely more on balanced scoring and its trademark pressure defense to pull out many close games. Senior forward Kawika Shoji (6-4) has emerged as the vocal leader, providing energy and being active by coming up with the key basket, rebound or block in crucial moments. Senior shooting guard Vinny Nip (5-9) is a fourth-year varsity player who can get hot from beyond the arc, and senior point Barry Kang (6-0) controls the tempo and runs a disciplined, patient offense that features numerous screens and passes. Senior posts Jon Takamura (6-2) and Wally Marciel (6-0) don't shoot much, but are valuable in setting those picks and fighting for rebounds. Mugiishi will often substitute five at a time, and a young second unit led by freshman post Liloa Nobriga (6-3) can more than hold its own.

KAHUKU

Head coach: Nathan James

Record: 12-2 (OIA runner-up)

Notable: The Red Raiders were a basket away from repeating as OIA champion last Friday, but lost in the title game when Kaimuki made a steal and free throw to win, 44-43, in overtime. Kahuku's undisputed leader is 6-1 senior guard Junior Ale, who may be the state's premier all-around player. In a league semifinal victory over Campbell last Wednesday, Ale scored 38 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out five assists, blocked two shots and had a steal. Ale gets scoring help from senior twins Devin and Kevin Unga. Devin is 6-1 and Kevin is 6-2, but they both are strong rebounders who move quickly to the basket and have scoring ability in the post. Guards Pele Soliai (5-11, Jr.) and Shiloah Te'o (5-11, So.) can keep defenses honest with outside shooting, but Ale bears most of the offensive burden by bringing the ball upcourt, controlling the tempo, shooting from inside and out and crashing the boards.

KAIMUKI

Head coach: Kelly Grant

Record: 12-2 (OIA champion)

Notable: The Bulldogs won their first league championship since 1993 despite not having their top outside shooter, senior forward Thomas Pyo (6-2), in the final. His suffered a high ankle sprain in last Wednesday's OIA semifinals and his status is doubtful for this week. Junior forward Keone Reyes (6-0) took Pyo's spot in the lineup and came up huge, scoring 18 points and grabbing 18 rebounds to lead Kaimuki to a 44-43 overtime victory over Kahuku. Like former NBA great Charles Barkley, Reyes uses his body well and is deceptively quick in grabbing rebounds and finding openings in the post. Even without Pyo, the Bulldogs have other good outside shooters in guards Jarrett Shiu (6-0) and Daniel Colon (5-9). Besides Reyes, Kaimuki is strong and athletic in the post with senior Shaun Dela Calzada (6-2) and junior Beau Albrechtson (6-4). Senior forward Shadrach Ramos-Diaz (6-1) often provides a spark off the bench. The Bulldogs are tough to defend because everyone can handle the ball, find the open man and shoot. They also play with great community pride and unity.

KALAHEO

Head coach: Chico Furtado

Record: 11-4 (OIA third place)

Notable: The Mustangs are making their 16th consecutive state tournament appearance. This year's team has had extreme highs and lows, playing like champions in a 74-60 upset of OIA Western Division champ Mililani in the league quarterfinals, then suffering through a 17-2 second-period run by Kaimuki in a 56-42 semifinal loss four days later, only to rebound with a 64-33 thumping of Campbell in the third-place game two days after that. Kalaheo is a veteran squad, led by 5-8 senior guards Chris Tumaneng, Marvin Judd and Kahua Hollinger. Tumaneng, who runs the point, will be playing in his fourth state tournament. Judd and Hollinger bring energy and strong outside shooting. They are even more dangerous when 6-5 junior center Tyler Caswell is effective in the post, which opens things up on the perimeter. Elias David, a 5-9 wing, is a tremendous leaper who can score on transition layups or with a mid-range jumper.

KAMEHAMEHA

Head coach: Jesse Nakanishi

Record: 10-3 (ILH champion)

Notable: The Warriors raced to a 10-0 start in the regular season but have since lost three straight — twice to Iolani and once to Punahou. All three losses were tight and hard-fought. Kamehameha's winning formula has been relentless hustle, especially on defense, and going after loose balls. The one scorer capable of a 20-point night is Rykin Enos, a 6-foot junior guard. Enos is tough to guard because of his quickness going to the basket and his 3-point shooting, which defenders must respect. Senior forward Jacob Ho (6-2) is active and athletic and can help with scoring, and junior guards Andrew Godinet (5-9) and Randy Cummings (5-11) can strike from the perimeter. Junior forward Mitch Kauweloa (6-1) is a strong rebounder.

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I

Head coach: Nelson Wong

Record: 15-0 (BIIF champion)

Notable: The Warriors lost to Punahou, 84-33, in the first round of the Punahou Holiday Classic but then immediately rebounded to defeat Damien (59-48), Moanalua (49-46) and Kahuku (58-53) before running the table in the BIIF. Kealoha Kramer, a 6-foot sophomore forward, was named to the Punahou Classic All-Tournament Team. Mea Wong, a 6-foot junior, Mana Silva, a 6-1 senior and Jacob Naki, a 5-6 senior, give the Warriors a strong backcourt. Junior Kalani Aldrich (6-6) can come in to provide height in the post. Kamehameha-Hawai'i won the 15-team BIIF in only its third year as a varsity program. This is the Warriors' first team with seniors.

LAHAINALUNA

Head coach: Eric Balinbin

Record: 7-5 (MIL runner-up)

Notable: The Lunas started the season slow but earned a state berth by winning the league's postseason tournament, which did not include champion Baldwin. Lahainaluna started out 0-2 and finished the regular season 4-5, but defeated King Kekaulike (52-48), Moloka'i (65-47) and Lana'i (53-52) last week. Saia Taufa, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, can score and rebound. Senior guard Julio Arvizu (5-8) and forwards Mau Ah Hee (5-11) and Matt Perry (6-0) are other top scorers.

SAINT LOUIS

Head coach: Delbert Tengan

Record: 10-4 (ILH third place)

Notable: The Crusaders earned their state berth after outlasting Punahou, 80-77, in three overtimes Friday. They play a fast-paced, physical game that can cause problems for teams not comfortable with that style. Jeremiah Masoli, a 5-11 senior guard, is in constant motion and has an array of quick spin moves to get to the basket or clear space for an open jumper. He scored 35 points Friday. Senior guard Cameron Bayne (6-2) also runs the floor well and can get hot from 3-point range. Sophomore Cole Shidaki (6-0) and junior Kuli'a Aiona (5-10) give Saint Louis two more scoring threats from the perimeter. Junior forward Scott Smith (6-5) has a big presence in the post and is tough to keep off the boards and defend once he gets the ball down low.

WAIMEA

Head coach: Elton Montemayor

Record: 7-1 (KIF champion)

Notable: The Menehunes' only league loss came four weeks ago when they were surprised by Kapa'a, 65-59. Waimea avenged that defeat on Feb. 3, 63-50. Senior guard Chad Barba is the only player who saw extensive action on the Menehunes' 2004 state tournament team.

TODAY'S GAMES

FIRST ROUND

At Radford

Honoka'a vs. Kahuku, 6 p.m.

Kalaheo vs. Waimea, 8 p.m.

AT MCKINLEY

Kamehameha vs. Lahainaluna, 6 p.m.

Campbell vs. Saint Louis, 8 p.m.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.