Wes Nakama
December 9, 2010, 8:58am
Nation's No. 2 ranked team in 'Iolani Prep Classic
'Iolani guard Saphyre Rezentes is one of three returning starters from last season's state semifinalist team. ScoringLive file photoTwo of the nation's top six ranked girls basketball teams -- including No. 2 Brea Olinda (Brea, Calif.) -- highlight the eight-team field in the Fourth Annual 'Iolani Prep Classic, which tips off today with four games at 'Iolani.
In the 3:30 p.m. opener, defending state runner-up Konawaena faces Midwest power Incarnate Word (St. Louis, Mo.). At 5 p.m., Tsinghua (Beijing, China) meets Memphis (Tenn.) Central, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation by ESPN Rise.
At 6:30, No. 2-ranked Brea Olinda squares off with defending O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Farrington, and at 8 host 'Iolani faces Northern California contender Archbishop Mitty (San Jose).
The tournament will continue through Friday and Saturday.
Brea Olinda finished 31-3 last season and second in California's Division II state finals. They ended up No. 4 in ESPN Rise's final rankings.
Ladycats senior forward Justine Hartman has made a commitment to play for UCLA next season, and Brea Olinda actually has two Division I-bound players coming off the bench in forward Amanda Arter (St. Mary's) and forward/guard Amber Van Deudekum (Northern Arizona).
Brea Olinda is one of the country's most storied programs, having won nine state titles and two mythical national championships.
Memphis Central went 27-4 last season and finished as the Tennessee Division I state runner-up. Returnee Nina Davis is regarded by some as the nation's top sophomore point guard, and backcourt mate Danielle Ballard is ranked as high as No. 10 among the country's juniors.
A third guard, Aaliyah Whiteside, also is regarded as being among the best in the USA.
Incarnate Word finished last season 30-1 and ranked No. 10 in ESPN Rise as the Missouri state champion. Senior guard Brittany Carter has committed to Ball State and senior center Brianna Puni is headed to Illinois State.
Archbishop Mitty returns four key players from a squad that finished 26-6 and won its conference.
Tsinghua returns four key players from a team that went 20-3 and was ranked No. 5 in China last season.
Konawaena returns four starters from a team that went 26-2 last season, including All-State point guard Dawnyelle Awa and 2009 State Player of the Year Lia Galdeira.
'Iolani returns three starters from last season's state semifinalist team -- guards Lahela Usui and Saphyre Rezentes and post player Alex Masaquel.
Farrington returns two standouts from a team that went 20-5 last season -- All-State guard Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo and senior Kirsten-Marie Liana.