Ale delivered all season for Kahuku
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
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With Kahuku's starting guard tandem from the 2005 O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship team having exhausted its eligibility, the burden fell on Junior Ale to pick up the slack this year.
Ale, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, delivered in a big way by averaging 23.5 points per game during the regular season while assuming most of the ball-handling and play-making duties.
OIA Eastern Division coaches recognized his numerous contributions, selecting him as the East's Player of the Year in a recent vote.
Ale was Kahuku's go-to player in every game en route to a 10-1 record and the division title, but some of his best performances were against Kahuku's toughest competition. He scored 11 points in the first quarter — including three 3-pointers in a row — and finished with 31 points in a 61-53 victory over East runner-up Kaimuki.
He is joined on the East's all-star first team by Roosevelt guard Kerstan Ho, Moanalua forward Wayne West and Kaimuki's post tandem of Beau Albrechtson and Keone Reyes.
Ho, a 6-3 senior guard, is a repeat first-team selection and remained one of the East's top scoring threats in leading the Rough Riders into the playoffs. West, a 6-2 senior forward, was a 3-point threat and helped Na Menehune finish third in the division.
Albrechtson (6-4) and Reyes (6-0) provided inside scoring, rebounds and clutch defense for the Bulldogs.
Moanalua's Dan Hale was named Coach of the Year in his second season at the helm.
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First Team Pos. Player School G Kerstan Ho Roosevelt F Beau Albrechtson Kaimukï F Junior Ale Kahuku F Wayne West Moanalua C Keone Reyes Kaimukï Player of the Year: Junior Ale, Kahuku Coach of the Year: Dan Hale, Moanalua Second Team Honorable Mention |
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.