Practice makes perfect, at least for most teams.

But last year, Alika Smith chose to lay out a gargantuan game plan, in a sense, that Kalaheo boys basketball had never seen. The Mustangs spent a huge number of minutes playing games, practicing far less than usual. For Smith, the lack of gym time — things have not been the same since the girls season was moved from spring to winter a few years back — necessitated the adjustment.

Kalaheo went 40-6, including a 22-4 mark in nonconference, preseason play en route to the Division II state title and a No. 6 ranking in the final Star-Advertiser Top 10 last year. Twenty-six games before league play is believed to be a state record in boys or girls basketball.

Smith hasn’t strayed from the recipe. Kalaheo has "24 or so" preseason games lined up this winter, including a game with Le Jardin on Monday and Campbell’s tournament later in the week.

"I get more out of them in a game than a 45-minute practice. I want to get these guys game situations," Smith said.

The Mustangs have key starters back, including guards Josh Ko and Derick Morgan, forward Shem Sukumaran and center Nainoa Frank. Newcomers include Kalei Zuttermeister (Castle transfer) and Kupaa Harrison (‘Iolani transfer).

For some teams, though, even limited practice time is more valuable than an enormous number of games.

"For me, it definitely depends on the experience of the team," said McKinley coach Bob Morikuni, whose Tigers host the annual McKinley Basketball Classic this week. Maryknoll, Kaimuki, Radford, Kapolei and University are competing in the event, which begins Thursday and closes on Saturday.

"With a more experienced, veteran team, I like to play more games as the kids get bored with practice. For me, it’s always been a good tool to motivate, to see how good you may be. When you lose, it’s definite motivation to get them to work harder in practice," said Morikuni, who guided the Tigers to a D-II state crown in 2007.

McKinley reached the D-II state final last year, losing to Kalaheo. In the past, the Tigers have played as many as 20 nonconference games, but will play "only" 12 this winter.

"With a younger team, I like to play less games. They need to work on more fundamentals and learn schemes," he added. "But there has to be a balance. I want them to get game experience."

Roosevelt to enter Raiders territory

The girls basketball season has begun with nonconference games, and the crossover action can be compelling.

Powerhouse Kamehameha opened the week with a game at Kalani on Monday. On Thursday, state-title contender ‘Iolani will host Roosevelt in a 3:30 p.m. matchup. Roosevelt, under coach Hinano Higa, started strong with a runaway win over Campbell.

The Raiders were the Division I state runner-up to Konawaena last season. ‘Iolani lost all-state guards Kylie Maeda (BYU) and Saphyre Rezentes to graduation, but another all-stater, Alex Masaquel is back from injury. So are posts Jade Botelho and Taimane Passi, and guard Abrianna Johnson-Edwards, who had a big game in the state final.

Speaking of Konawaena, the Wildcats host their annual tourney starting Thursday. All-state guards Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa, now at Washington State, have graduated after leading Konawaena to three state titles. Galdeira is off to a hot start in Pullman, averaging 17.2 points per game, including a 33-point, five-steal effort against Minnesota.