The best defensive unit in the state remains atop the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10.
Maryknoll collected nine of 12 first-place votes to remain at No. 1. Saint Louis, another stellar defensive team, is at No. 2 again after getting three first-place votes from the panel of coaches and media.
Maryknoll swept through the inaugural Kamehameha Winter Invitational with wins over Chicago Bulls College Prep, 66-39; South Delta (British Columbia), 73-20; and San Marcos (Calif.), 59-40.
The Spartans will visit Punahou on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., in the ILH regular-season opener for both teams.
Two-time defending state champion Saint Louis rallied past Chaminade College Prep (Calif.), 62-59, in an otherwise quiet week before the rugged ILH campaign. The Crusaders trek to ‘Iolani on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. battle.
For the first time since the season-opening poll six weeks ago, Kailua did not garner a first-place vote. The Surfriders routed Roosevelt 58-36 and Kaiser 73-40. They will host Kalani on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
No. 4 Punahou reached the semifinal round of The Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines, Calif., before losing. The Buffanblu were victorious over San Diego, 65-55, and Francis Parker (Calif.), 60-45, before losing to Santa Fe Christian (Calif.) 48-45.
The Buffanblu lost to La Jolla Country Day (Calif.) 61-58 in the third-place matchup.
‘Iolani lost to Chaminade College Prep, 57-53, but remained at No. 5.
Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Rank School (1st) (Record) Pts LW
1. Maryknoll (9) (15-2) 117 1
> next: at Punahou, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
> next: vs. Mid-Pacific, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
2. Saint Louis (3) (13-2) 111 2
> next: at ‘Iolani, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
> next: vs. Kamehameha, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
3. Kailua (13-3, 2-0 OIA) 85 3
> next: vs. Kalani, Wednesday
> next: at Farrington, Friday
4. Punahou (11-4) 81 4
> next: vs. Maryknoll, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
> next: vs. ‘Iolani, Saturday, 5 p.m.
5. ‘Iolani (9-7) 66 5
> next: vs. Saint Louis, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
> next: at Punahou, Saturday, 5 p.m.
6. Mililani (11-4, 2-0 OIA) 62 6
> next: vs. Nanakuli, Wednesday
> next: at Aiea, Friday
7. (tie) Leilehua (10-3, 2-0 OIA) 38 8
> next: vs. Aiea, Wednesday
> next: at Pearl City, Friday
7. (tie) University (9-3) 38 7
> next: vs. Punahou I-AA, Wednesday (LJA gym)
> next: at Maryknoll I-AA, Friday
9. Kamehameha (11-6) 25 9
> next: vs. Mid-Pacific, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
> next: at Saint Louis, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
10. Kahuku (12-3, 3-0 OIA) 21 10
> next: vs. Farrington, Wednesday
> next: at Castle, Friday
Also receiving votes: Kalaheo 8, Kohala 6, Kaimuki 2.
