Wes Nakama
February 15, 2011, 11:25pm
Wide-open field highlights D1 state tourney
AOP's Micah Dunhour, Kamehameha's Micah Christenson, Roosevelt's Kaipo Pale, Mililani's Hassan Richardson, Radford's TJ Reid and Kahuku's Shairone Thompson are among the players to watch in tonight's opening round of the HHSAA Division I tournament. Scoring Live file photosThe action begins today with first-round doubleheaders at McKinley and Farrington. At McKinley, Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up Hilo (12-3) meets O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kahuku (12-5) at 5 p.m., followed by OIA rivals Mililani (11-5) and Radford (13-3) at 7.
Those games will be shown live statewide on OC16.
At Farrington, Maui Interscholastic League runner-up Baldwin (12-3) faces Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Kamehameha (12-2) at 5 p.m., followed by upstart Academy of the Pacific (11-5) vs. OIA Eastern Division champ Roosevelt (12-4) at 7.
Here is a closer look at each matchup:
HILO vs. KAHUKU
The Vikings made the BIIF race interesting, stunning eventual champ Kamehameha-Hawai'i, 55-54, in their first meeting and losing in overtime, 68-62, in the second round. Randan Berinobis averaged close to 20 points per game, and Jodd Carter is another offensive weapon. Kahuku is led by 6-foot-4 center Shairone Thompson, a three-year veteran who averaged 15.1 ppg in league play, and sophomore guard Kawe Johnson (9.3 ppg). The Red Raiders like to run the floor, which could make today's game a track meet against traditionally up-tempo Hilo.
MILILANI vs. RADFORD
Mililani has shown tremendous comeback ability, which is a catch-22 situation because the Trojans also have fallen into the habit of falling behind big early. Senior forward Hassan Richardson led the OIA in scoring at 19.3 ppg. Junior guard Alex Bumgarner (8.1 ppg) is a dangerous 3-point shooter. Rams senior guard T.J. Reid has shown explosive scoring potential -- he lit up Roosevelt for 35 points in a recent playoff game, including 24 in the second half.
BALDWIN vs. KAMEHAMEHA
The Bears gave MIL champ Lahainaluna (12-0) a scare in their first-round meeting, leading 30-26 after three periods before losing, 48-45. Their balanced attack includes three players -- Timothy Pang, Pasoni Tasini and Gabriel Ross -- who each average near double-figures in scoring. Kamehameha features perhaps the state's top all-around player in senior Micah Christenson, a 6-4 senior forward who can score with both hands, rebound, block shots, dribble, pass, run the floor and shoot 3-pointers. Junior guard Dyrbe Enos (9.1 ppg) is quick and can also drain the 3, and senior forward Charlton Tang (6-3) runs well, is active under the boards and can stick the baseline jumper.
ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC vs. ROOSEVELT
AOP is the new kid on the block, making its first DI state tournament appearance. But the Dolphins are primed for prime time, having gone toe-to-toe with many of the perennial heavyweights with successful results. They have three potent weapons in senior forward Micah Dunhour (12.4 ppg), senior guard Kona Makaula (11.3 ppg) and junor post Moritz Krume (9.8 ppg). Roosevelt has been an enigma, looking great in winning the OIA East but falling flat in a 75-44 playoff loss to Moanalua and sinking just 8 of 25 free throws in another postseason defeat to Mililani. But when they are clicking and playing well, the Rough Riders can play with anybody. Senior forward Kaipo Pale (16 ppg) presents matchup problems at 6-4, with his agility, leaping ability and deadly mid-range jumpers. Senior post Asten Koki (6-3) is a physical presence who can score off feeds from Pale if the latter is double-teamed. Junior guard J.J. Mariano (9.7 ppg) is a clutch shooter and senior forward Brendan Nakatani (6.8 ppg) sets picks, grabs rebounds and takes charges well.
Those games will be shown live statewide on OC16.
At Farrington, Maui Interscholastic League runner-up Baldwin (12-3) faces Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Kamehameha (12-2) at 5 p.m., followed by upstart Academy of the Pacific (11-5) vs. OIA Eastern Division champ Roosevelt (12-4) at 7.
Here is a closer look at each matchup:
HILO vs. KAHUKU
The Vikings made the BIIF race interesting, stunning eventual champ Kamehameha-Hawai'i, 55-54, in their first meeting and losing in overtime, 68-62, in the second round. Randan Berinobis averaged close to 20 points per game, and Jodd Carter is another offensive weapon. Kahuku is led by 6-foot-4 center Shairone Thompson, a three-year veteran who averaged 15.1 ppg in league play, and sophomore guard Kawe Johnson (9.3 ppg). The Red Raiders like to run the floor, which could make today's game a track meet against traditionally up-tempo Hilo.
MILILANI vs. RADFORD
Mililani has shown tremendous comeback ability, which is a catch-22 situation because the Trojans also have fallen into the habit of falling behind big early. Senior forward Hassan Richardson led the OIA in scoring at 19.3 ppg. Junior guard Alex Bumgarner (8.1 ppg) is a dangerous 3-point shooter. Rams senior guard T.J. Reid has shown explosive scoring potential -- he lit up Roosevelt for 35 points in a recent playoff game, including 24 in the second half.
BALDWIN vs. KAMEHAMEHA
The Bears gave MIL champ Lahainaluna (12-0) a scare in their first-round meeting, leading 30-26 after three periods before losing, 48-45. Their balanced attack includes three players -- Timothy Pang, Pasoni Tasini and Gabriel Ross -- who each average near double-figures in scoring. Kamehameha features perhaps the state's top all-around player in senior Micah Christenson, a 6-4 senior forward who can score with both hands, rebound, block shots, dribble, pass, run the floor and shoot 3-pointers. Junior guard Dyrbe Enos (9.1 ppg) is quick and can also drain the 3, and senior forward Charlton Tang (6-3) runs well, is active under the boards and can stick the baseline jumper.
ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC vs. ROOSEVELT
AOP is the new kid on the block, making its first DI state tournament appearance. But the Dolphins are primed for prime time, having gone toe-to-toe with many of the perennial heavyweights with successful results. They have three potent weapons in senior forward Micah Dunhour (12.4 ppg), senior guard Kona Makaula (11.3 ppg) and junor post Moritz Krume (9.8 ppg). Roosevelt has been an enigma, looking great in winning the OIA East but falling flat in a 75-44 playoff loss to Moanalua and sinking just 8 of 25 free throws in another postseason defeat to Mililani. But when they are clicking and playing well, the Rough Riders can play with anybody. Senior forward Kaipo Pale (16 ppg) presents matchup problems at 6-4, with his agility, leaping ability and deadly mid-range jumpers. Senior post Asten Koki (6-3) is a physical presence who can score off feeds from Pale if the latter is double-teamed. Junior guard J.J. Mariano (9.7 ppg) is a clutch shooter and senior forward Brendan Nakatani (6.8 ppg) sets picks, grabs rebounds and takes charges well.