After watching Campbell High School's Kristian Manuel score 17 points against eventual state runner-up Kamehameha in the opening round of the boys basketball state tournament last month, an Interscholastic League of Honolulu coach said, "Kristian Manuel is a top-caliber guard."

That is something O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference Western Division coaches have known for the past three years, and they awarded Manuel with highest honors this season by naming him OIA Red West Player of the Year after a recent vote.

Manuel, a 5-foot-8 senior point guard, was equally adept at leading the Sabers' fast-paced transition game with driving layups and nifty assists or draining 3-pointers from a halfcourt set.

He helped Campbell to a runner-up finish in the West, then stepped his scoring up a notch in the OIA tournament — pouring in 25 points against eventual champion Moanalua, 23 (with 10 assists) against runner-up Kahuku and 22 against Farrington, including seven in overtime to help Campbell secure its state tournament berth.

Manuel is joined on the OIA Red West all-star first team by Mililani senior Reginald Griffin and junior Hassan Richardson, 'Aiea senior Korey Naeole and Radford junior TJ Reid.

Griffin and Richardson helped the Trojans win the division title and eventually earn a state tournament berth, and Mililani's Ed Gonzales was named Coach of the Year.

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