It’s not like the Farrington Governors have a personal distaste for anything to do with the ILH.
But just one week after falling to ‘Iolani 43-40 in the final of the state championships, none of the Govs is feeling much better. In fact, they’re still a bit bitter.
"I wish it was double elimination," Farrington’s versatile guard-forward, Jacob McEnroe, said on Saturday before an 8 a.m. practice on campus.
McEnroe and some of his teammates will get a chance to play out their frustrations when the public-school team, coached by Farrington’s Allan Silva, battles the private-school team (Greg Tacon, Kamehameha) in Sunday’s inaugural Geremy Robinson Senior Basketball Classic at Moanalua.
The girls game will tip off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the boys. Slam-dunk and 3-point contests are part of the event, hosted by Robinson, a former UH guard.
This event is in its first year. This year’s senior class happens to be very interesting, as well as entertaining. The public-school squad worked out early, followed by the private-school team at 9:30 a.m.
"I’m used to this (public-school) team," McEnroe said. "I’ve played with eight (of the other nine) before, playing with guys like Antoine (Hines). It’s a fast team and we all can jump."
Elijah Butler, Mililani’s energetic 6-foot-4 post, said he’ll be happy to do all the heavy work inside, if necessary.
"It’s going to be all these fast guys, quick, going up and down the court," said Butler, adding that he’s looking forward to seeing friends on the other side of the floor.
The private-school team includes Maryknoll’s high-flying scorer Josh Burnett, as well as Zach Buscher and Ikaika Phillip of ‘Iolani.
"I used to play on Josh’s team. He goes to my church. We used to play AAU ball together," Butler said. "I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of defense. I think it’s going to be like NBA All-Star weekend."
Butler claimed that he’d throw down 20 dunks and that McEnroe would have 15.
"Josh (Burnett) will have just one," he said.
For Van Hugo, it was a difficult championship game. He went cold from the field against ‘Iolani, and now he’s looking forward to the Senior Classic.
"That last week felt really sad because we lost the game," the 5-10 guard said.
He’s hoping for an exciting battle.
"I think we’ll have a pass-and-cut game," the 5-10 guard said. "Maybe it’ll be a close game. The ILH team is pretty stacked, but it might be in the 60s or 70s."
Tacon stepped in after ‘Iolani’s Dean Shimamoto declined to participate after initially accepting.
The girls game features Kamehameha standout Alohi Robins-Hardy, a 6-1 swingman who has signed with BYU. Her private-school teammates include other versatile post/wing players such as Maia Laboy (Maryknoll) and Jade Botelho, as well as Maryknoll point guard Cianna Ochoco.
The public-school team includes high-scoring lefty LaChae McColor of Moanalua, explosive forward Penina Faumui of Farrington and Mililani center Sarah Liva.
"I played on Team Aloha with her (Liva), so it’ll be fun," Robins-Hardy said.
Robins-Hardy isn’t sure how fast — or slow — the pace will be.
"It’ll probably be a little bit of both. Either one is good," she said.
She’ll be reunited with Punahou coach Kevin Velasco, who guided the Buffanblu to the D-I state championship this season and was an assistant coach at Kamehameha last year, when the Warriors won the state title.
"Coach is smart. He knows what he’s doing. Obviously, he won a championship this year," Robins-Hardy said. "He’s pretty competitive. We’ve never done this before for basketball, so it’ll be different."
Patrick Basilio of Mililani will coach the public-school squad.
SENIOR CLASSIC ROSTERS
Boys Public
Coach Alan Silva (Farrington)
Isaiah Visoria (Farrington)
Isaiah Smith (Farrington)
Jamaal Willis (Moanalua)
Antoine Hines (Moanalua)
Van Hugo (Farrington)
Jacob McEnroe (Farrington)
Elijah Butler (Mililani)
Aaron Stuart ( Moanalua)
Bryan Mason (Leilehua)
Boys Private
Coach Greg Tacon (Kamehameha)
Noa Kinimaka (Kamehameha)
Kyle Husslein (Mid-Pac)
Zach Buscher (‘Iolani)
Jaylen Layco (Damien)
Anthony Canencia (University Lab)
Josh Burnett (Maryknoll)
Daniel Andrews (Punahou)
Ikaika Phillip (‘Iolani)
Tyson Kaloa (Maryknoll)
Alaka’i Freitas (Kamehameha)
Girls Private
Coach Kevin Velasco (Punahou)
Kelly Kuchenbecker (Le Jardin)
Siena Shupe (Maryknoll)
Celina Pagan (Sacred Hearts)
Tiare Libarios-Moses (Sacred Hearts)
Cianna Ochoco (Maryknoll)
Nicole Ka’aihue (Kamehameha)
Hailey Motooka (Punahou)
Jade Botelho (‘Iolani)
Alohi Robins-Hardy (Kamehameha)
Keau Fey (Punahou)
Girls Public
Coach Patrick Basilio (Mililani)
Chantelle Arce (Kaiser)
Valerie Wilson (Kaimuki)
Mich’lae Higa (Aiea)
Carly Kakuda (Kalani)
Penina Faumui (Farrington)
Sheastel Tiumalu (Castle)
Mikaela Limper (Mililani)
Tavae Sina Sofa (Roosevelt)
Lachae McColor (Moanalua)
Sarah Liva (Mililani)