ILH basketball tips off tonight

Changes were brewing in the offseason and now, preseason favorite ‘Iolani will have some new faces to compete against.

The Raiders, who return most of their starting lineup and reserves from last season, will host Mid-Pacific tonight in the opener of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball varsity schedule. Leading ‘Iolani is senior guard Kylie Maeda, who averaged 14 points per game in league play as a junior.

Maeda, who was voted No. 7 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 a year ago, has committed to play college hoops at BYU.

Another key returnee is 5-foot-10 post Alex Masaquel, a double-double threat who was No. 13 in last year’s All-State voting.

Mid-Pacific is a contender in the ILH after a strong showing in nonconference play, including a battle with defending state champion Konawaena. The Owls led by five points at the half before succumbing.

Kamehameha has a new coach in Darold Imanaka, who coached at Kalani in his previous stint. He replaces longtime coach Clay Cockett.

At Punahou, where Mike Taylor guided Punahou to four state titles, Kekoa Taliaferro is the new coach. Taliaferro coached the Buffanblu JV from 2003 to ’08.

Football classic nears

Clint Onigama wouldn’t mind having a prolific passing quarterback on his side of the field when the HUB Goodwill Senior Classic kicks off on Friday at Radford High School.

He’ll have a good view of that kind of passer, but Kenan Sadanaga will play for the other team, the West All-Stars.

Onigama has three steady seniors at the position, but none had the career numbers of Sadanaga, who led the state in passing yardage and touchdowns.

"The West side’s got a lot of talent. Gee, Sadanaga, he makes such good decisions. I don’t want to call it an advantage, but it might be easier in one week to prepare one quarterback than three," said Onigama, the head coach at Kaimuki.

West coach Fred Salanoa of Radford is licking his chops.

"Of course, of course. With three guys, you’ve got to give reps to all of them and get the timing down. Luckily, we have one guy who is truly healthy (at quarterback) and some other guys he already has chemistry with," Salanoa said.