Hawaii Basketball

Four teams set to appear at the 2007 Iolani Prep Classic opened their season ranked in the USA Today High School Basketball Super 25 which was released today:

Montrose Chrisitan (MD), coached by Classic veteran Stu Vetter, will return to Hawaii as the No. 7 ranked team in the country with what he calls one of his “most talented teams”. That’s quite a claim when you consider the teams and players Vetter has coached over the years such as former NBA veteran Dennis Scott (Georgia Tech, Orlando Magic) and recent No.2 Draft Pick Kevin Durant (Texas, Seattle Supersonics). This season, Montrose is touted as having the best core of juniors in the country in 6-6 F Terrell Vinson, 6-7 F Tristan Spurlock and 6-7 F Isaiah Armwood. And if they weren’t big enough already, they also have two recently acquired transfers Temidayo Adebayo (6-10) and Brian Ameka Okam (7-0).

As last year’s New York State Runner-up, Rice (NY) will be back at the Iolani Classic this year with four returning starters. Their talented backcourt is led by Connecticut recruit, PG Kemba Walker, and All-State Selections SG Chris Fouch and Lamont Jones. Rice is ranked No.11 in the USA Today Super 25 and No.4 in the Sporting News.

2006 Iolani Classic Champion Leflore (AL) will be looking to defend their championship in 2007 when they return as the No.16 ranked team in the Super 25. Despite already sporting a huge lineup, the Alabama 6A champions got even bigger (and better) when 6-10 junior center DeMarcus Cousins, the No.3 center in the Class of 2009 according to Scouts, Inc., transfered to LeFlore in late October. 6-5 Marquette-signee Nick Williams, a 2006 All-Tournament team selection, will also be back for the Rattlers.

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The schedules have been posted for the 2007-08 OIA Boys Red & White Division Regular Seasons. Find them by clicking the “Schedules” tab along the top bar or click here.

Interesting Notes in the OIA Red Division:

• Season Opener - Kaimuki vs. Kalaheo - Right off the bat, the defending state champion Kaimuki Bulldogs face off with one of the favorites in the OIA Red in Kalaheo.
• Kalaheo Back-to-Back - Two nights after facing Kaimuki in the OIA opener, the Mustangs will take on another top Red Division contender in Moanalua, but this time at home.
• Tough Stretch for Kailua - Playing 5 games in 9 days is difficult enough, but the Surfriders, who have the potential to make some noise in the OIA Red, will have to do it against Kaimuki, Kahuku, Kalaheo, Moanalua and cross-town rival Castle.

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JV: 5:00pm
Varsity: Start 15 minutes after completion of JV

JV: 5:00pm
Varsity: Start 15 minutes after completion of JV

As tough as it was to pick the top teams in the ILH, it was equally as difficult to separate out the league’s top players. Because so many teams this year will rely on the collective efforts of several players to succeed, its hard to predict who will emerge as the ones with the most impact. (So, we just tried our best…)

Take a look at the 2007-08 HawaiiHoops.com ILH Preseason All-Stars:

First Team:
• Cole Shidaki, St. Louis, Sr. - A 4-year Varsity letterman, Shidaki will need to shoot a high percentage and carry the scoring load for the Crusaders if they expect to contend for an ILH title. Expect to see him making a living on short drives for pull-ups inside of 12-feet.
• Marcus Holyfied, MPI, Jr. - As possibly the top junior in the state, Holyfield has the potential to dominate the ILH with his length and athleticism. If he can add a consistent 3-point shot to his already impressive transition and mid-range game… watch out.
• Richard Herring, Maryknoll, Sr. - His supporting cast may not be enough to make his team a contender, but at 6-2, Herring is extremely versatile and will likely play every position on the floor at some point during the season. He has good range out to the three and finishes strong going to the hole.
• Dalton Hilliard, Punahou, Jr. - Though Punahou is the favorite to win the ILH, its hard to pick out an All-star from the Buffanblu team. Several players may eventually step up and stand out, but for now Hilliard appears to be the one who may have the biggest impact. His explosiveness and athleticism will make him one of the league’s top on-ball defenders and with Punahou’s style of play, he should have a ton of opportunities to score in transition.
• Taylor Mounts, Iolani, Sr. - Another of the 4-year lettermen, Mounts is the only player left in the islands with two state championships under his belt (2005 & 2006). At 6-5, he is a well-rounded big man with a good inside game and decent range out to the three. Look for him to average a double-double for an undersized Iolani team.
• Kawika Lyons, Kamehameha, Sr. - Fairly unknown, yet no less impressive, Lyons is among the top shooters in the ILH. His long, lanky frame will allow him to shoot over defenders on the perimeter and finish over bigger players on the inside while also being tough on the defensive end.

[Photo: Honolulu Star Bulletin]

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