Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Fans have wondered aloud about the brackets that have given two teams, top-seeded Radford and unseeded Kalani, home-court advantage in the girls state basketball Division II championships.
The HHSAA noted that sites were determined well in advance and that flipping brackets to neutralize home-court edge was not considered seriously.
“It’s evident and inevitable that neighbor island teams will always be at a disadvantage. But when you’re faced with having games played at your opponent’s home court, it makes competing even tougher,” said Garrett Arima, coach of Kamehameha-Hawaii. “We can’t change the tournament format nor do we have control over seedings or opponents. We can only control what we do to prepare for battle.”
Another issue was seeding, with Radford getting the No. 1 spot plus hosting a quarterfinal game.
“I thought that since we beat Radford four weeks ago in head-to-head (nonconference) that we were more deserving,” said Maryknoll coach Steve Caley, whose Spartans were unbeaten in league play. “Still, we don’t really care who we play. We have aspirations for a state title and if we are truly the best team, we should beat whomever we are matched up with.”
Here’s a look at the seeded Division II teams. All four had first-round byes and open play today.
No. 1 seed Radford
On paper: The Lady Rams went 8-4 in the OIA, among the best in the West during the regular season’s combined D-I and D-II slate.
Playing tonight’s quarterfinal game at home is something first-year head coach Brandy Richardson is wary of to an extent.
“If you’re coming in to play us at home, that might be more motivation for you,” she said. “It still depends on who shows up no matter where the game is.”
The skinny: Imani Wimbush is steady and aggressive in the paint, occasionally too aggressive. The 6-footer got into foul trouble in the last playoff game against McKinley, but Brittany Perry stepped up in the low post. Their combined athleticism and strength are pluses.
The skinny: When Rachael Kapesi is hitting her perimeter shot, Radford is very tough for most D-II teams to contain.
X factor: Freshman Kennedy Johnson, a 5-11 forward, is a valuable weapon.
No. 2 seed Kamehameha-Hawaii
On paper: Like Radford, the Warriors spent the regular season playing both D-I and D-II programs. Since topping then-No. 7 Waiakea on Jan. 18, they’ve continued a win streak that is up to nine. KS-Hawaii (24-6, 11-2 BIIF) counts on clutch play from Chelsea Poe, Casey Poe and Keana Kaohimaunu. Casey Poe, a sophomore, had 16 points in a win over Honokaa for the BIIF D-II crown on Saturday.
The skinny: How a young team handles the travel aspect is key.
X factor: Was the comeback win against Honokaa a wake-up call or a sign that the Warriors are a bit green in pressurized, postseason situations?
No. 3 seed Maryknoll
On paper: The Spartans (19-6, 13-0 ILH) spent the preseason rebuilding and finding a new identity without All-State guard Ashley Agcaoili, who graduated. After a string of early losses, they found their way.
One of their wins was over Radford, 33-24, which is the top seed this week.
The skinny: Ashlee DeSantos and Cianna Ochoco are key parts of a guard-heavy unit.
X factor: Their only players taller than 5-7 are sophomore Maia Laboy (5-9) and freshman Maegen Martin (5-10). As the posts go, so will the Spartans.
No. 4 seed Kauai
On paper: The KIF champs got the nod over MIL champion Seabury Hall for the fourth seeded berth — and first-round bye. The reason might be as simple as this: Kristle Henry. The slashing guard made an impact last year at the Mufi Hannemann Jamboree and was later invited to play for the all-star Team Aloha squad.
The skinny: Henry has help from Casey Anacleto and Kawehi Louis-Diamond. All three are accurate from the arc.
X factor: The Red Raiders have yet to be tested off-island, but Henry’s explosiveness and scoring ability should carry Kauai at least to the semifinals.
72