‘Iolani coach a master chef

Through every season, Dean Shimamoto has found the best recipe for the ingredients in his basketball kitchen.

One year, the ‘Iolani boys basketball coach was stocked with mid-sized players, mostly 5 feet 8 to 6 feet, and used a platoon system, helter-skelter tempo and constant defensive pressure to keep the Raiders competitive.

This year, ‘Iolani is blessed with balance. From the backcourt to the frontcourt, Shimamoto has gunners and bangers. The emergence of 6-7 freshman Hugh Hogland, 6-4 Kamu Borden and 6-1 Robin Mann, plus energetic 6-3 sophomore Shane Lay, gives ‘Iolani a stellar wall of defenders at the rim.

"Everyone took it on as a challenge as a team," Shimamoto said of a 50-37 win over Kamehameha on Saturday. "Some games from the Classic really taught us that you need to get back or we’ll get dunked on or (give up) a layup. We want to protect the paint but also pressure, too, so we have a pretty good balance."

Borden had five blocks before halftime.

"Awesome. Our big-man coach, Cord Anderson, has been working with him. To see him offensively be dominant inside and defensively, protecting the basket, he was unbelievable for us. Great timing. I think that changed the game," Shimamoto said.

Owls basketball perched high

First-year coach Dwight Holiday probably isn’t celebrating, but for any fan of Mid-Pacific boys basketball, this has been a riveting season to date.

The Owls knocked off then-No. 6 Saint Louis 52-48 in tournament play last week, then opened the ILH season with a 63-55 loss to state-title contender Maryknoll. At 6-4 overall, three of their losses have been by eight points or fewer.

Holiday’s team trailed 41-40 against Maryknoll after three quarters. The return of Ken Colombe, who missed several games recently, brings more balance and depth to the Owls lineup. Sophomore post Justin Daise has been an energetic, blue-collar contributor, while returning starter Kyle Husslein has found his groove from the arc.

HONOR ROLL

BOYS BASKETBALL

» Noa Kinimaka, Kamehameha: Scored 10 points and had three steals in three quarters as the Warriors beat Santa Margarita (Calif.) for the Merv Lopes Classic championship.

» Tayler Espinda, Kaimuki: Scored 20 points with six 3-pointers in a loss to McKinley.

» Kelsey Lewis, Kaiser: Scored 19 points in a win over Kailua.

» Samuta Avea, Kahuku: Scored 23 points in a win over Castle.

» Elijah Butler, Mililani: Scored 27 points, including six free throws in the fourth quarter, in a win over Aiea.

» Matthew Henderson, Kapolei: Scored 20 points in a win over Waialua.

» Kamu Borden, ‘Iolani: Blocked five shots in the first half of a win over Kamehameha.

» Daniel Andrews, Punahou: Scored 19 points in a win over Saint Louis.

» Josh Burnett, Maryknoll: Scored 24 points in a win over Mid-Pacific.

» Jordan Kauwe, Hawaii Baptist: Scored 26 points in an overtime win over Hanalani.

» Ian Schumaker, Island Pacific: Scored 17 of his team’s 39 points in a win over Assets.

» Matthew Urcia, Christian Academy: Scored 20 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission.

» Isaiah Visoria, Farrington: Scored 20 points in a win over Castle.

» Xavier Repollo, Waialua: Scored 28 points in a win over Waipahu.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

» Starr Rivera, Roosevelt: Led all scorers with 22 points in a win over Kalaheo.

» Markayisha Masani, University: Scored 22 points in a win over Hanalani and 14 in a win over Le Jardin.

» Tyra Meredith, Kalaheo: Scored 19 points in a loss to Moanalua.

» Delcie Williams, Kailua: Scored 13 of her 17 points in the first half of a win over McKinley.

» Amayha Dycus, Kapolei: Scored 25 points in a win over Pearl City.

» Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha: Scored 26 points in a win over ‘Iolani.

» Maia Laboy, Maryknoll: Scored 18 points in a win over Mid-Pacific.

» Taylor Bellevue, St. Francis: Scored 19 points in a win over Hanalani.

» Jasmine Moody, Radford: Scored 23 points in a win over Waipahu.

GIRLS SOCCER

» Cassandra Stetser, Mililani: Scored two goals to help hand Campbell its first loss of the season.

» Kawai Makue, Kamehameha: Scored four of the Warriors’ seven goals in a win over Sacred Hearts.

» Sonest Furtado, Waianae: Scored six goals in a win over Waialua.

» Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Aiea: Had a hat trick in a win over Leilehua.

» Hoku Afong, Moanalua: Scored three goals in a win over McKinley.

BOYS SOCCER

» Jae Won Huh, Aiea: Scored two goals in a 3-2 loss to Leilehua.

» Stanton Spencer, Waianae: Scored the lone goal in a win over Waialua.

» Jhonah Felipe, Kalaheo: Scored three goals in a win over Farrington.

» Jake Samsel, Kahuku: Scored three goals in a win over Kailua.

» Naia Graham, Kailua: Scored three goals in a loss to Kahuku.

GIRLS SWIMMING

» Lena Hayakawa, Pac-Five: Took four gold medals at the Kalani Invitational, two in individual events and two in relays.

» Summer Harrison, Pac-Five: Broke her own record in the 100 butterfly at the Kalani Invitational.

» Jasmine Mau, Punahou: Beat Harrison in the 50 freestyle at the Kalani Invitational and took another individual gold as well as contributing to a relay win.

BOYS SWIMMING

» Ryan Stack, Kamehameha: Had two individual wins and another in a relay at the Kalani Invitational.

» Kanoa Kaleoaloha, Kamehameha: Had two individual wins and another in a relay at the Kalani Invitational.

WRESTLING

» Blaysen Terukina, Kamehameha: Pinned Kawailani Somera Rickard of Leilehua to win the OIA-ILH crossover tournament at Kamehameha.

» Alex Ursua, Pearl City: Pinned Kealohi Graycochea of Kahuku to win the OIA-ILH crossover tournament.

» Jacob Solomon, Kalaheo: Pinned Connor Villarmia of Damien to win the OIA-ILH crossover tournament.

» Blake Cooper, Pearl City: Pinned Kevin Efta of Kamehameha to win the OIA-ILH crossover tournament.

» Jonah Hoshino, Kamehameha: Pinned Cody Phillip of Kahuku to win the OIA-ILH crossover tournament.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kobe Ikari
Damien basketball

Scored 19 points as the Monarchs dealt St. Francis its first league loss in more than two years.

TOP 10 POLLS
Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Also receiving votes: Nanakuli 5, Honokaa 4, Kaiser 1, Leilehua 1.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Also receiving votes: Kaiser 12, Lahainaluna 10, Waiakea 9, King Kekaulike 3, Hawaii Prep 2, University 2, Roosevelt 1, Kahuku 1.