OIA Red West (Division I)
Advertiser Staff
COACH: MIKE YEN
Key players: Capri Holiona (5-7, sr., center/forward); Natasha Helsham (5-8, jr., guard); Jennifer Yuen (5-3, sr., guard).
Notes: Na Ali'i have six returnees but a lot of newcomers. ... The team is athletic and its chemistry is developing ... Like many teams, gym time has been an issue.
Coach speak: "If we were at the same time last season we're behind in putting things in."
KAPOLEI
COACH: JESSIE BAUGH
Key players: Ashlee Dela Cruz (5-9, sr., guard); Tahnee Foki (5-8, sr., forward); Danielle Tapat (5-5, so., guard); Rhilee Soriano (5-6, so., forward); Leilani Tuani-Fifita (6-0, so., center).
Notes: Dela Cruz is the starting guard on the basketball team and starting goalkeeper on the soccer team. Baugh said she's "handling it (both sports) well." ... Dela Cruz put up 26 points in the Kalani tournament against Hawai'i Baptist. ... Tapat is more experienced this season and Soriano, brought up from the junior varsity, will be key on the defensive end. ... Loleina Lapina (5-0, sr., guard) gives the Hurricanes an outside threat.
Coach speak: "If (Lapina) can hit the outside shots, she can help us out."
LEILEHUA
COACH: ELROY DUMLAO
Key players: Ashley Gonzales (5-7, jr., forward); Alaina Johnson (5-5, jr., guard).
Notes: The Mules lost their starting point guard to the soccer team since both sports are being played in the winter. ... Gonzales had 16 points to help Leilehua beat King Kekaulike for third place at Seabury Hall's preseason tournament. ... Lei Paikai had 17 in a loss to Maui at the tournament. ... Sophomore Vanessa Bocobo will run the point.
MILILANI
COACH: PATRICK BASILIO
Key players: Joleen Realin (5-6, jr., guard/forward); Chelsea Basilio (5-4, jr., guard); Chelsea Korodan (5-7, sr., forward).
Notes: Realin is the top returnee from last season. ... Korodan returns to Mililani for her senior year after attending school on the Mainland last year. She was the MVP of the Mililani junior varsity squad as a sophomore. ... Sophie Chang (5-6, jr., guard/forward) was the leading scorer for Basilio's JV team last season and will be an offensive threat this season.
Coach speak: "A lot of our offenses are going to run through (Realin). Her leadership will be imperative to the team."
NANAKULI
INFORMATION UNAVAILABLE
PEARL CITY
COACH: MIKE MORTON
Key players: Patricia Langi (5-9, sr., center); Kalei Adams (5-6, so., guard).
Notes: Morton has started four sophomores during the preseason. ... One senior returnee has been sidelined with a knee injury.
Coach speak: "I think they will get better as the season goes along and get used to playing with each other."
RADFORD
COACH: TANI DUTRO
Key players: Tanitra Byrd (6-0, so., center); Brittni Fuller (5-4, sr., point guard); Chelsea-Ann Villanueva (5-9, sr., forward); Marlena Malepeai (5-8, sr., guard); Bui Baravilala (5-7, jr., forward); Marsharen Dupont (5-7, sr., guard)
Notes: The Rams have four returning starters. ... Byrd was injured during the first week of tryouts and just rejoined the team. ... Dutro had previously served as a boys varsity assistant and boys JV head coach.
Coach speak: "We have strong senior leadership. That's really big for us."
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