‘Iolani’s Aguinaldo has gift for giving

The name Aguinaldo, she says, translates to “the gift.”

Quite fitting for the often opportunistic Camy Aguinaldo. Now a senior guard for the ‘Iolani Raiders, Aguinaldo runs the floor and finishes like no other girls basketball player.

She is a blur. Add to that a very effective midrange jumper and a steady 3-point shot — catch-and-shoot and pull-ups off the dribble — and all the reps are paying off.

“I think she can play Division I (college basketball),” Raiders coach Dean Young said. She’s strong and such a hard worker, always working year-round at 808 (Basketball Club) and Tactical (Strength and Conditioning).”

The closest comparison, Young added, is to a former great from two decades ago.

“Camy most reminds us coaches of ‘Iolani 1996 grad Tiana Fuertes,” Young said. “She is similar in stature, style of play, competitiveness and upside.”

Fuentes, who scored 34 points to lead ‘Iolani over Kamehameha in the 1996 state title game, went on to play at Utah and is now a teacher at Moanalua Middle School. She teaches math, which happens to be one of Aguinaldo’s favorite subjects.

“Camy has the work ethic and commitment, but I’m not sure really what she wants,” Young added.

He does knows what Aguinaldo can give. As a senior, her passing skills have taken another step forward, which means she gives as much as she receives. The nature of ‘Iolani’s five-out offense — all 10 players on the roster are guards – means ball movement and hand-offs are non-stop, a perpetual motion machine on hardwood.

Aguinaldo is a big spark, with 17 points per game in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play. The Raiders are 4-2, second only to Maryknoll, the No. 1 team in the state. ‘Iolani (9-4 overall) is ranked No. 2, with losses only to nationally ranked teams and Maryknoll.

“My teammates and coach support me,” Aguinaldo said. “They keep me in check and make me smile.”

Aguinaldo’s formative years were at 808 Basketball Club. She went to her first clinic at age 4.

“One of my greatest memories and impacting experiences was when Coach Hinano Higa walked up to me, took me by the hand and taught me every drill, one by one,” Aguinaldo said.

Her mother, Cori (Kawakami), played softball at Roosevelt and UH Hilo. There, she met Art, a volleyball player from Waiakea.

As Camy approached her high school years, it was a tough choice. A good problem, having a choice between her lifelong coach, Higa, at Roosevelt, and ‘Iolani.

“We were definitely aware of her because both my children and (assistant coach Cy Ohta’s) children were at 808 clinic,” Young said. “She definitely caught our eye.”

Aguinaldo, he said, grew more comfortable with time.

“She came in as a freshman. She was very quiet, very reserved. On the court, we knew the talent was there. Through the years, we’ve seen her mature so much. She has such great parents,” Young said. “They push hard work and appreciation, and that’s what we’ve seen in Camy. She’s really taken advantage of what it’s like to be at ‘Iolani as a student and as a player.”

Aguinaldo is an NCAA qualifier.

“I chose ‘Iolani for something different, to try something different,” she said. “I’m happy I chose ‘Iolani.”

She still goes to 808 Basketball clinics, but instead of being the dribbler, she teaches the little ones. The one who has received much has become the one who gives back.

“It’s different, but it’s interesting. I see what Coach Hinano has done for me and now I can give back to the community by doing the same. I like working with kids.”

Her friendships built over a span of more than a decade, which led in part to her interest in physical therapy.

“From working out at Tactical, it’s kind of similar to physical therapy — seeing what they do made me interested in it,” Aguinaldo said. “My dad tore his meniscus at work, so I went to his rehab and I was, ‘Wow, I want to do this!’ After Kaonohi (Quinlan) tore her ACL, seeing how she went through that, I kind of want to help. It was hard for her and I just want to help kids who go through that because she shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

For now, the Raiders are in Arizona, competing in the Nike Tournament of Champions. They know the role of underdogs well; the Raiders stand at 5 feet 2 to 5-7 with one exception: 5-9 Kayla Malta.

“We know we’re the smallest team out there whenever we play. We have to have that push, the energy to get the ball, boxing out to get the over-the-back (foul), doing whatever we have to do,” Aguinaldo said. “In the past, people didn’t see us as a top team. We would feel like we’re underestimated a lot because of our height.”

Not anymore. The Raiders have a gift in one another.