Ko & Co. cashed in

The path from Kalihi Valley to Punahou to Kalaheo is one Josh Ko knows well.

But better than understanding his environment, the Mustangs guard has an uncanny sense of timing. Ko’s senior season went from stellar to unmatched as he and a group of gritty classmates led Kalaheo to the Division I state championship.

Coaches and media recognized Ko’s clutch performance in the tourney, particularly in the final against powerhouse Maryknoll, the top seed.

The 6-foot-2 combo guard played 31 minutes, shot 7-for-9 from the field, 8-for-10 at the foul line, scored 24 points and added three assists in an unforgettable 60-54 overtime win over the Spartans.

He couldn’t have picked a better time to step up his game, and the selection of Ko as Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 player of the year was no surprise. It was a close vote, though, with Punahou guard Nick Velasquez right there. Ko averaged 11 points per game during the regular season in Kalaheo’s balanced offense. But the lanky playmaker scored 13 points in a row as the Mustangs rallied to force overtime before taking control in the extra period in the title game.

Ko took matters into his own hands years before. After his freshman season at Punahou, when the Buffanblu went 24-4 under first-year coach Alika Smith, he left to follow the coach to Kalaheo. The Mustangs won the Division II state crown last year, then moved up to D-I this season.

"Josh Ko is a big-game player, that’s for sure," Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant said. "He’s very good with the ball and makes good decisions."

Smith, a demanding taskmaster, was voted coach of the year by the panel. Lionel Villarmia, who guided Pearl City to the state tourney and an upset win over Moanalua in the opening round, was second in the voting. Baldwin’s Wayne Gushiken was third, followed by Grant (Maryknoll) and Donald Awa (Konawaena).

Velasquez, a 6-2 sharpshooter, was devastating from the perimeter throughout his career. The senior often began his day with 4 a.m. shooting sessions at 24-Hour Fitness before driving his mother to work and then attending classes. His ability to attack the basket was a big development, as was his tough-nosed defense. He averaged 14 points per game, with a season high of 28 during ILH play against eventual league champion Maryknoll. Velasquez also shot 81 percent from the free-throw line.

"He has a high basketball IQ. Throughout his career, he’s been a big clutch shooter," Grant said.

It was Ko, though, who stole the show. He wasn’t alone, of course. Teammates Derick Morgan and Kalei Zuttermeister were also voted to the Fab 15.

See more on the all-defensive team and most improved player at hawaiiprepworld.com.