Questions arising after Damien was ousted by University in the ILH Division II second-place game have been answered, at least by one coach.
St. Francis, which won the regular season and earned a state-tournament berth, had a unique situation with guard Ranan Mamiya.
The questions, which originated from Damien supporters, concerned the sophomore’s eligibility after transferring from another school.
Mamiya played at University High on the intermediate team for one scrimmage before transferring to St. Francis. He became eligible to play at his new school one calendar year later — this past December.
The sophomore was permitted to play in the regular season, but was forbidden to play in preseason and state-tournament games. He will not participate in St. Francis’ games at the D-II state tourney this week, coach Sol Batoon said of the HHSAA rule.
Mamiya, a reserve, had a season-high 20 points against Christian Academy. He averaged 8.9 points per game.
The Saints played their final regular-season game on Feb. 5, against University, in their newly completed on-campus gym.
Frank looks ahead after missing season
The new basketball season was just weeks away when Kalaheo’s Nainoa Frank was dealt an excruciating blow.
The 6-foot-6 all-state volleyball player suffered an ACL tear, his second knee injury in three years, while playing in the final football game of the season for the Kalaheo Mustangs. Frank, a shot-blocking machine for the Mustangs basketball team, effectively saw his senior year come to an end. There would be no basketball in the winter. No volleyball in the spring.
But the scholarship offer from the University of Hawaii to play volleyball still stands. Frank watched the Mustangs win the OIA Red basketball title game against Moanalua on Saturday. Just imagine, though, if No. 2-ranked Kalaheo still had Frank operating in the middle, giving Shem Sukumaran (6-1), Kalei Zuttermeister (6-3), Derick Morgan (6-0), Josh Ko (6-2) and Kupaa Harrison (6-3) more freedom on the defensive end.
WEEKLY HONORS
Athletes of the Week
Girls
Jasmine Mau
Punahou swimming
She set a meet record in the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes, 1.78 seconds at the HHSAA state championships at the University of Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Pool. She also set a new mark in the 100 butterfly in 52.78.
Boys
Austin Hirstein
Island Pacific swimming
He captured first place in the 200 individual medley (1:50.44) and 100 breaststroke (55.91). His time in the 100 breaststroke set a meet record, previously held by Chris Woo.
HONOR ROLL
Basketball
» Alika Alip, Honokaa: 23 points against Ka‘u
» Jason Brenner, Island Pacific: scored 21 points against Damien before suffering a fourth-quarter injury
» Anthony Canencia, University: 17 points, six assists as the Junior Rainbows rallied past Damien to claim a D-II state-tourney berth
» Nick Fisher, Pahoa: 22 points against Kohala
» Kenan Gaspar, Konawaena: scored the deciding basket off a steal in a 59-58 win over Waiakea, then scored 29 points in a BIIF title win over KS-Hawaii
» Kaleb Gilmore, Maryknoll: 22 points in an ILH-title-clinching win over Punahou
» Shaun Kagawa, KS-Hawaii: 20 points against Kealakehe
» Ryan Kaleikini, University: 21 points against Hanalani
» Jaylen Layco, Damien: 22 points, eight rebounds vs. University
» La‘akea Manliguis, KS-Hawaii: 20 points against Hilo; 23 points against Konawaena
» Nick Mims, Konawaena: 25 points against Waiakea
» Kahanu Pu‘ulei-Auld, Moanalua: 20 points, six steals against Kalaheo
» Kalei Zuttermeister, Kalaheo: 21 points, including five treys, in the OIA Red-title-game win over Moanalua
Swimming, girls
» Cera Jernigan, Kealakehe: took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.00) and swam with the winning 200 freestyle relay team
» Summer Harrison, Mid-Pacific: won the 100 freestyle (51.96) and swam with the winning 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay teams as the Owls captured the state crown
Swimming, boys
» Kale Ai, Kamehameha: took first in the 500 freestyle (4:32.78) and swam on all three winning relay teams (200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle) for the Warriors
» Noah Deer, Punahou: placed first in the 50 freestyle (20.87) and 100 freestyle (45.70) at the state championships
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
The Top 10 high school boys basketball teams as 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.
TEAM, RECORD |
LAST GAME |
NEXT GAME |
PTS. |
PVS. |
1. Maryknoll (13), 23-2 |
beat Punahou |
state quarterfinals |
193 |
2 |
2. Kalaheo (7), 36-4 |
beat Moanalua |
state quarterfinals |
184 |
1 |
3. Punahou, 19-7 |
lost to Maryknoll |
vs. Farrington, Wed. |
157 |
3 |
4. Moanalua, 18-8 |
lost to Kalaheo |
vs. Pearl City, Wed. |
132 |
6 |
5. Kapolei, 20-8 |
beat Farrington |
vs. Baldwin, Wed. |
93 |
4 |
6. Konawaena, 27-3 |
beat KS-Hawaii |
state quarterfinals |
89 |
7 |
7. Kamehameha, 16-10 |
lost to Punahou |
season over |
75 |
5 |
8. King Kekaulike, 15-3 |
none last week |
state quarterfinals |
69 |
9 |
9. Farrington, 13-12 |
lost to Kapolei |
vs. Punahou, Wed. |
26 |
— |
10. St. Francis, 23-5 |
beat University |
vs. Waianae, Thurs. |
25 |
— |
>> Also receiving votes: ‘Iolani 23, Baldwin 9, Kamehameha-Hawaii 9, Kailua 5, Mililani 5, Hilo 3, Pearl City 3
>> No longer in Top 10 (previous rank): ‘Iolani (No. 8), Hilo (No. 10)