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The legacy of the annual Mufi Hannemann Jamboree goes beyond selfless volunteers and coaches.
After 19 years, just as the event did from the start, the festival of girls basketball continues to fuel dreams. Kahuku senior guard/forward Leighlani Paselio has one.
"I like the physical part of being a post and being able to contribute anywhere on the court," said Paselio, who helped Kahuku to a third-place Division I finish at the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball State Championships.
She played in yesterday’s Jamboree at Manoa Valley Recreation Center Gym, one last time playing hoops in the prep ranks.
"My GPA’s a 3.7 now, so I hope I’m playing college ball next year. My heart’s always been on playing for the University of Hawaii," said Paselio, whose family moved back to the islands from Florida so she could pursue her goal.
Team Aloha coach Fran Villarmia-Kahawai was on hand to get another close look at potential invitees. She had a chat with Paselio’s family, who had asked her about the walk-on route to college sports. Villarmia-Kahawai walked on at UH in the 1980s and earned a spot on then-coach Vince Goo’s roster.
"I think it’s different. Back then, girls basketball was less popular, so there was less competition as a local girl going there. Now, there are so many girls who are into it," said Villarmia-Kahawai, who eventually became a scholarship player.
She sees Paselio as a contributor at the college level because of her intangibles.
"Her basketball IQ is high compared to a lot of other girls. That comes from just experience and she knows when to post up, when to pass, when to shoot. That part of her game makes her a lot better," Villarmia-Kahawai said. "She’s really dedicated. She gets up every morning and she’s in the gym at 5 a.m. She has the drive. It’s like that kid from Harvard (Jeremy Lin) who everybody cut."
As for distinguishing the invite list of Team Aloha players, yesterday’s Jamboree was surprisingly less conclusive. Villarmia-Kahawai said last year’s team, powered by Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa of Konawaena, had clear leadership. This season, there are a lot of players with similar sizes and skill sets.
"It’s a good problem. At least we have options," she said.
For Analee Viena-Lota, it was a chance to give back. The former all-state player from Kamehameha graduated recently from Cal State Northridge, where she is sixth on the all-time rebounding list.
"My gosh, it’s my first time coaching. I was very against it, but I’m so proud of my green team. They did an awesome job," the sharpshooter said.
The green team edged the orange team, coached by Nani Cockett, 42-38 in the collegiate division final. In age-group competition, Kalakaua won 49-17 against 808 in the final of the 14-under bracket. Eastsidaz edged 808 in the 12U division 30-28.
Viena-Lota does a radio show on 102.7 Da Bomb on Sundays and had played just one pickup game since her college hoops career ended in March. She wound up on the court yesterday in her team’s first battle.
"Brandy Richardson coached and she went in, so I had to go in. She’s a beast," Viena-Lota said of the former Kalaheo and UC Santa Barbara player. "I air-balled my first shot."
Sisters Chelsea and Casey Poe helped Kamehameha-Hawaii capture the state Division II title on Friday night. Saturday’s action at the Jamboree is just part of their offseason training. A fun part, of course, but there is work to be done.
Both will run sprints on the track for KS-Hawaii soon. Casey Poe, a sophomore, also does 300- and 100-meter hurdles.
"It’s never over. There’s no offseason," said Chelsea Poe, who may play at Chaminade next season.
"We have to work harder to get back over here," Casey added.
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