Maryknoll returns to state tourney as top seed


Maryknoll returns to the Hawaiian Airlines Division I boys' basketball state tournament for the first time in a quarter century as the top seed of the 12-team field.

The Spartans are making their ninth appearance in the Division I tourney, which includes pre-Division II years. They also made six appearances in the old single A tournament for small schools that ran from 1965 to 1982, except for 1967 to 1969. Maryknoll won three single A titles, sort of a precursor to Division II.

Perennial Oahu Interscholastic Association power Kalaheo is the second seed. The Mustangs are making their 30th appearance; in their only D2 appearance last year, they won the title. They have three D1 state titles.

Maui Interscholastic League champion King Kekaulike is the third seed. It made its state debut last year.

Konawaena, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion, is the fourth seed.

The Division I tourney opens Wednesday with games at McKinley and Moanalua. (See brackets at bottom of website.)

The eight-team Division II tournament starts Thursday. Saint Francis of the ILH is the top seed, followed by Kailua of the OIA White, Seabury Hall of the MIL and Hawaii Prep of the BIIF. Tourney openers are at Kaimuki and Kalani.

Division I team histories

Maryknoll Spartans, ILH champions
Appearance: 15th, ninth in D1
Record: 18-7, 16-7 in championship bracket (D1 only), one title
Note: Won three 'A' state titles for small schools (1978 to 1980).

Punahou Buffanblu, ILH runner-up
Appearance: 39th
Record: 88-37, 70-28 in championship bracket, 10 titles

Kalaheo Mustangs, OIA Red champion
Appearance: 30th, 29th in D1
Record: 57-31, 37-25 in championship bracket (D1 only), three titles
Note: Won D2 title last year

Moanalua Na Menehune, OIA Red runner-up
Appearance: 17th
Record: 28-25, 19-14 in championship bracket, two titles

Kapolei Hurricanes, OIA Red third place
Appearance: Second
Record: 2-1, 0-1 in championship bracket

Farrington Governors, OIA fourth place
Appearance: 12th, ninth in D1
Record: 15-6, 10-6 in championship bracket, two titles
Note: Won D2 titles in 2008 and 2011.

Mililani Trojans, OIA fifth place
Appearance: 10th
Record: 13-17, 7-10 in championship bracket

Pearl City Chargers, OIA sixth place
Appearance: Seventh
Record: 7-11, 4-6 in championship bracket

King Kekaulike Na Alii, MIL champion
Appearance: Second
Record: 1-2, 1-1 in championship bracket

Baldwin Bears, MIL runner-up
Appearance: 35th
Record: 33-57, 12-34 in championship bracket
Note: 0-10 in semifinals

Konawaena Wildcats, BIIF champion
Appearance: Sixth
Record: 4-8, 1-5 in championship bracket

Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors, BIIF runner-up
Appearance: Seventh
Record: 6-10, 5-6 in championship bracket

Notes: Appearances include play-in games for final berth. Division I includes pre-Division II seasons.