Konawaena on the Rise

More national recognition may be coming Konawaena’s way after a stunning win over powerhouse Brea Olinda (Calif.) Saturday.

Brea Olinda was ranked No. 11 in the USA Today Super 25. ESPN Rise had Konawaena at No. 48, but it’s tough to say whether the Wildcats will ascend in the poll this week.

Until then, life in Kealakekua is, well, sleepy.

“I slept until 7:30 (at night),” coach Bobbie Awa said of returning to the Big Island on Sunday. “My daughter woke me up and she want to go to Manago’s (hotel) to eat, but I went back to sleep and got up at 10.”

The Wildcats (9-0) could have been exhausted on Saturday, driving to Kahuku to watch a 9 a.m. game between Konawaena’s boys and the Red Raiders. The Wildcat boys, coached by Donald Awa, won games against Kailua, Kahuku and Kaimuki during their stay.

The girls played that night at 8 p.m.

The defending girls state champs have a week more to refine their skills before heading to Phoenix, Ariz., for the Nike Tournament of Champions.

Former Punahou coach Mike Taylor took two of his Buffanblu teams to the elite tourney.

“Konawaena’s impressive, but they’re going to have a big test next week,” said Taylor, who watched the Wildcats at the ‘Iolani Classic.”

A few seasons back, with Janelle Nomura at the point and twins Shawna and Shaena Kuehu, Punahou upset H.D. Woodson, their only win in four tough games at the Nike tourney. Woodson was ranked fourth in the nation at the time.

“Kona will experience something very, very special. I know they’ll represent the 808 very well,” Taylor said.

Spartan invasion

Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant is in grind mode, even after his team stunned ‘Iolani to win the Keaau-Waiakea Tournament title over the weekend.

“We’ve got a lot to learn,” said Grant, who is in his first season back at his alma mater. He spent nearly a decade at Kaimuki, guiding the Bulldogs to a state title in 2007.

German transfer Tobias Shramm, a 6-foot-9 junior, provided a major obstacle in the paint. Reserve guard Kaleb Gilmore, son of former Chaminade standout George Gilmore, played a key role.

Maryknoll (4-0) was unranked a week ago, but is at No. 4 in today’s Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10.

“We need to learn how to break presses. Since the summer, all our drills have been about breaking the press,” said Grant, now a P.E. teacher at the school.