Boys volleyball going regional, too

With the girls basketball state tourney in regional format for the first time, Kamehameha boys volleyball coach Kainoa Downing is wondering.

The HHSAA’s boys volleyball tourney will have the same format: four regionals on three islands. The champions of the BIIF and MIL will host quarterfinal matches, which means some ILH and OIA teams will be on the road. Past tournaments have rotated from Oahu to neighbor islands, so Downing has experienced the postseason vibe in hostile territory before.

"We went to Waiakea for the first two rounds (in 2011). We had Micah Christenson. It was packed and raucous," Downing said, recalling a quarterfinal battle with host Waiakea. "It was wild. … My kids loved it."

Kamehameha won the state title that season, playing the semifinal and final at Keaau. While neighbor island girls basketball has had a strong hold on recent state championships, it hasn’t been the same in boys volleyball. No neighbor island team has won the D-I title since 1969 (Hilo). An ILH team has won every crown since 1972.

"I see they’re trying to make it an equal basis since the outer-island teams always had to travel, but why should the Oahu teams, which have proven over time to be more dominant, be flying out?" Downing asked.

Former ‘Bow organizes all-star game

Geremy Robinson saw a void, and now he’s hoping to get it filled. The former University of Hawaii basketball player is organizing the ILH-OIA senior girls and boys all-star doubleheader, which will be held March 2 at Moanalua High School. Robinson said the top 10 seniors from the ILH and OIA will be selected for the boys and girls games. He’s also planning a 3-point contest and slam-dunk competition.

"I did the legwork. I made sure it got approved and we got the gym. It will be an annual thing. Next year, we want to expand it and include players from the other islands," Robinson said.

HONOR ROLL

Girls basketball
Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha: Scored a game-high 22 points in a win over Mid-Pacific and 14 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Maryknoll.
Delcie Williams, Kailua: Scored 23 points in a win over Castle.
Penina Faumui, Farrington: Scored 46 points in the Governors’ 65-34 win over Kalaheo.
Mich’lae Higa, Aiea: Scored 20 of her team’s 42 points in a win over Nanakuli.
Casey Poe, Kamehameha-Hawaii: Scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds  in a loss to Hilo.

Boys basketball
Ian Schumaker, Island Pacific: Scored 22 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission and followed it up with 17 in a loss to Christian Academy.
Jimmy Nunuha III, Saint Louis: Scored 21 points in a win over Mid-Pacific.
Blayne Won, St. Francis: Scored 26 points to lead the Saints over Hanalani.
Ryan Kaleikini, University: Scored 22 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist.
Jaylen Layco, Damien: Scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter of a win over Hanalani.
Matthew Bishop, Kailua: Scored 21 points in an upset of Kahuku.
Joseph Lilio III, Castle: Scored 22 points in a win over Kaimuki.
Justin Kam, Punahou: Scored 25 points in a win over Maryknoll.
Kaleb Gilmore, Maryknoll: Scored 22 points in the loss to Punahou.
Kevin Foster, Roosevelt: Scored 24 points in a double-overtime win over Kaiser.
Macjun Otarra, McKinley: Scored 21 points in a win over Castle.
Cory Mitchell, Kalani: Scored 23 points in a win over Kaimuki.
Xavier Repollo, Waialua: Hit seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points in a loss to Waianae.
Bryan Naito, Aiea: Scored 26 points in a win over Leilehua.
Antoine Hines, Moanalua: Scored 20 points, six of them to start overtime, in a win over Kahuku.
Kekai Smith, Kalaheo: Scored 18 points in a win over Kaiser and 19 in a win over Farrington.
Tolby Saito, Pahoa: Scored 20 points and shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii.
Kupaa Harrison, Kalaheo: Scored 19 in a win over Kaiser and 18 in a win over Farrington.

Boys soccer
Ricky Sandry, Saint Louis: Scored three goals in a win over Damien.
Peter Kanoho, Kailua: Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki
Joshua Arias, Kailua: Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki.
Ikaika Urasaki, Castle: Had a hat trick in a win over Kaimuki.

Girls soccer
Shayla Padilla, Leilehua: Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli.
Kiani Halushka, Kamehameha: Scored four goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Paddling
Victoria Rooks, Punahou: The steerswoman told teammate Alyssa Basdavanos to lie down in the canoe when her timing was off. Punahou won the race and Basdavanos was treated by medical personnel after the race.
Solomon Souki, Kamehameha: Led the Warriors to the ILH championship.
Alexander Look, Kaiser: Steered the Cougars to their first OIA championship in the mixed.
 

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Keau Fey: Punahou girls basketball
The senior scored 12 points, blocked six shots and pulled down 21 rebounds in a win over ‘Iolani.

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.

Also receiving votes: Hawaii Prep 13, Moanalua 5, Campbell 4, Roosevelt 3, St. Francis 2, Mililani 2, Waiakea 1, Kahuku 1.