When the new year begins, Maryknoll will still be No. 1.
In the eyes of the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10 voting panel, that top billing comes with an asterisk. A week ago, the Spartans collected 10 of 16 first-place votes, or 62.5%. This week, they have eight out of 14, or 57.1%.
Maryknoll had a stellar week in the Tony Sellitto Classic, with wins over Kaiser (69-30), Leilehua (47-39), Kalaheo (48-45) and University (46-35).
Four teams received at least one first-place ballot. No. 2 Saint Louis garnered three first-place votes after going 3-1 in the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. Pupu Sepulona scored 24 points in the Crusaders’ 69-47 loss to St. John Bosco (Calif.). The two-time defending state champions then defeated Mililani (41-28), Kamehameha-Maui (50-24) and Moanalua (77-35).
No. 3 Punahou had a restful week and will travel to California for the Torrey Pines Tournament. The Buffanblu (9-2) begin play on Wednesday.
Fourth-ranked Kailua had a bye as well, and opens OIA play on Thursday against Roosevelt.
No. 5 ‘Iolani went 1-3 at the Classic but may have had the best week among local teams thanks to competitive battles with mainland powerhouses. Senior guard Nela Taliauli showed signs of his pre-injury explosiveness in coach Ryan Hirata’s uptempo attack.
The Kamehameha Invitational tips off Wednesday with three games. Moanalua meets South Delta (British Columbia) at 2 p.m., followed by Maryknoll and Bulls College Prep (Chicago) at 3:30 and Kamehameha-Hawaii and San Marcos (Calif.) at 5 p.m.
Games begin at 2 p.m. on each day of the four-day event at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium.
Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10
Dec. 25, 2023
Rank School (1st) (Record) Pts LW
1. Maryknoll (8) (14-2) 133 1
> next: vs. Bulls Coll. Prep (Chicago), Wednesday
2. Saint Louis (3) (12-2) 125 2
> next: vs. Chaminade, Thursday
3. Kailua (2) (11-3) 104 4
> bye
> next: vs. Roosevelt, Thursday
4. Punahou (9-2) 95 3
> bye
> next: vs. San Diego (Torrey Pines Tournament), Wednesday
5. ‘Iolani (1) (9-6) 88 5
> next: bye (vs. Saint Louis, Jan. 3)
6. Mililani (9-4) 67 6
> next: vs. Kapolei, Thursday
> next: at Campbell, Saturday
7. University (9-2) 53 7
> next: vs. Damien, Saturday
8. Leilehua (8-3) 42 8
> next: at Kapolei, Saturday
9. Kamehameha (8-6) 25 10
> next: vs. John Burroughs (Calif.), Wednesday
10. Kahuku (10-3, 1-0 OIA) 17 9
> next: vs. Kaiser, Thursday
> next: at Kalani, Saturday
Also receiving votes: Kohala 11, Kalaheo 7, Campbell 2, Kaimuki 1.
