Girls Basketball
WatchList 2020-21: D1 Girls Basketball




Continuing our basketball WatcLlist series, here are five players (listed alphabetically by last name) to keep an eye on for the upcoming season and what their coaches had to say.

 

Taylor Eldredge, junior, Lahainaluna

Eldredge was named to the All-Hawaii Third Team as a sophomore emerged as the team's leading scorer as the Lunas retained their Maui Interscholastic League title.

"Her game really developed and she jumped right out of the starting block. At first, she didn't want to shoot it. I told her to shoot it more often from the mid range and perimeter," Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard said.

She scored a season-high 30 points against Kekaulike back on Jan. 8.

"After that, she starting having more confidence and it took off. We knew she could do the job and she had to see it for herself," Rickard said.

Eldredge posted a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in a loss against Waiakea in the state tournament quarterfinals and finished with 21 points against Moanalua and seven points and seven boards against Maryknoll to cap the state tournament.

She already leads by example on the court and coach Rickard is looking for her to become more a vocal leader for the upcoming season.

"I think more for her, she has to emerge as a leader. She's one of our leaders on the court and she has to be a vocal leader and build up other girls' confidence," Rickard said.

 

Alexis Huntimer, senior, Iolani

Huntimer was named to the All-Hawaii Second Team and was a First Team Interscholastic League of Honolulu All Star selection and impacts both ends of the floor without getting in the scorebook for the two-time defending state champion Raiders.

"She's our MVP and even though she doesn't score much, she embodies our unselfish culture and it's contagious," Iolani coach Dean Young said.

Her 21 point, (10-for-10 from the free throw line) performance against Waiakea in the state semifinals showed how lethal she can be when she looks for her own shot and is more assertive, which coach Young hopes she can do next season.

On defense she is a savvy and uses her long arms and instincts to pick passing lanes. She picked off the inbounds pass and found Kyra Tanabe in transition during the opening minutes of the state championship game against Konawaena.

"She's the tip of the spear in the press and we hope to be more active. She's already terrific in help defense and next year I think she can improve by stepping up her on ball defense. She's disruptive on the press and in the passing lanes," Young said.

 

Kaila Kaahu, junior, Kahuku

After losing Tatianna Kamae and Serina Aumua-Tuisavura to graduation, the Red Raiders expect a bigger role for Kaahu for the upcoming season.

"We wanted to bring her up last season to get experience and get her feet wet. Our expectations are high. She'll be a baller. She should be more of our leaders next season. She got experience and going into the state tournament against the top teams, she will be someone who we will depend on offensively and defensively. I can see her being a vocal and a leader by example," Kahuku coach Latoya Wily said.

She scored a season-high nine points against Kaiser on Jan. 23 and plays bigger than her stature and doesn't back down from challenges.

"Kaila is small in stature, but she's fearless and she's not afraid to go up against a bigger opponent. She can play one through three, whatever we name her to do, she will be effective. She has good court vision, she's a hustler that will get boards, and she's an all-around guard," Wily said.

Kaahu is a natural athlete and also plays softball and coach Wily looks for Kaahu to work on during the offseason.

"Just everything, her fundamentals. She's a natural athlete and I don't see her having issues staying in shape and staying active. Getting stronger and honing and sharpening up on her fundamentals. She has a smooth, finesse game," Wily said.

 

Serenity Moananu, senior, Maryknoll

Moananu was a First Team ILH All Star and Third Team All-Hawaii selection and hurt opposing teams inside and out. She expanded her game with a perimeter shot and she made 13 3-pointers in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season and 18 overall.

"She's worked on her perimeter shooting since she was a freshman. She developed the confidence to shoot the open three and that was big for us," Maryknoll coach Chico Furtado said.

She pounded the Raiders with 22 points in a narrow 53-47 loss to defending state champion Iolani. When the Akaka twins left briefly during the game in their 55-51 win against Iolani on Jan. 14, the Spartans leaned on Moananu, who had a 16 point performance.

According to coach Furtado, she has been the team's bridge between coaches and players. She also consistently works hard in the weight room and is itching to get back once clearance is given.

"More or less the same," Furtado said, when asked what's to come. "Serenity is more verbal and she's taken that role of becoming a connection between the players and coaches. I'd like her to be more consistent finishing at the bucket and finishing free throws."

 

Ledjan Pahukoa, sophomore, Kekaulike

Pahukoa introduced herself to the rest of the state this past February.

"Ledjan gives us a great opportunity in any game because of her scoring prowess. I think to start, for her age, she's a tall, long guard. She comes in first in conditioning drills. She works hard on her shot, she's fearless, and isn't afraid," Kekaulike coach Cy Peters said.

She had 12 points and seven steals in their opening round win over Radford and put up 15 points and drained three 3-pointers as Kekaulike nearly knocked off Konawaena. She ended the state tournament with a double-double (13 points, 10 boards) in a consolation loss to Maryknoll.

After a breakout freshman campaign and a Second-Team All-Hawaii selection, Peters is looking for her to get stronger in the weight room and improve on her agility. She takes great pride in working on her shot and other aspects of her game.

As far as taking her game to the next level, he looks for her to balance being a scorer and a facilitator which will come with time.

"If she works keep working and getting stronger, the sky's the limit," Peters said.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




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