Hawaii High School Basketball Forum

http://www.meebo.com/rooms

Hawaii Hoops - Forum » High School Girls

Girl's Basketball Question?

  (8 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by obiwanginobili
  • Latest reply from obiwanginobili

  1. obiwanginobili
    Member

    Being the hoops junkie that I am, I can't get enough basketball. Lately however, I have been noticing over the past few years that girl's basketball has really gone down, as far as talent and even just skill level.

    I can remember as far back as to the days of Kalei Nomahala dominating at Waiakea. Or Sissy Gambel taking games over for Honokaa. Even more recently with the talented Waiakea teams with future college players with them such as Ashley Kualii, and Amy Kaiakamanu. I especially remember Nancy Hoist and Jessica Hanato just being absolutely relentless night in and night out. Or the unbelievable athleticism from Sandra Kariaga from Kealakehe...I could go on and on about talented, top notch girl basketball players not only from the BIIF but also from the entire state. Latoya Wiley, Becky Hogue, etc.

    I was wondering why there has been such a drop off in girls basketball from then to now? Sure there are some girls here and there that can definitely play the game, but they are far and wide to come by and it has been that way for quite some time. Why do you guys think girls basketball state wide is like this? Do you think the teams now would be able to compete with the teams of the past at all? Just wondering your guys opinion.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. HoopFanatic
    Veteran

    Let's go to only 2003.

    In the OIA, McKinley, Kahuku, Moanalua, Farrington, and Kaimuki were all legit.

    Punahou finally over took Kamehameha, and Maryknoll and Iolani were solid too.

    Moanalua was the OIA Champ, but Kahuku upset them in the finals. Moanalua had players like Hardimon, Lee, Kotani, and a bunch of good role players. Kahuku had both Wily's, Ale, and their good PG (forgot her name). McKinley had Lee, Carson, and two shooters and Maafala. Kaimuki had Dalia.

    Kamehameha and Punahou were the creme of the crop. Maryknoll was in states and Iolani was just below.

    Even Castle and Kalani were decent.

    Today, McKinley is not that good. Moanalua is okay. Kahuku is in D2 with Kaimuki. Punahou and Iolani is down. Maryknoll and Kam are struggling.

    It's clear that the talent level has dropped drastically.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. obiwanginobili
    Member

    Yes, thats what I thought. I wasn't sure if I was being to hypercritical about girls basketball or not. But thanks for your input HF. It is much appreciated.

    Do you see any players now, that could possibly play with the girls of then, or have the talent level, and skill set to keep up?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. HoopFanatic
    Veteran

    There will always be girls here and there who could compete in any era. But collectively, I don't see the teams now being able to compete in the years past.

    For example, Kona is the creme of the crop now. They are head and heels above the competition in my opinion right now.

    But if you go back as recently as 2006, Punahou smashes them.

    That Punahou team peaked in the 2nd round of ILH and into states. They crushed A very good Roosevelt team by over 20. If Coach Taylor went for the kill, Punahou wins by 40 in that game.

    After they went up by 24, they stopped pumping the ball into Kuehu. After 3 quarters, Kuehu had 37 pts.

    I believe at half, when Taylor ran the offense through her, she had over 20-24.

    So in my opinion, the teams over the past 2-3 years have dropped. I think it started to drop in 2004, but it was slow. In 2006 there was a handful of good teams and one elite team.

    In my opinion, there have only been 2 elite players in the last 15 years Cockett and Kuehu.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. obiwanginobili
    Member

    I agree with you, that Punahou team was killer.

    Thanks for the input HF, its always appreciated.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. brew
    Member

    Obi, I'm not sure but in the last 4 years don't we have a bunch of DI players. How much of the players you have mentioned played actual DI ball besides Manoa. I believe that the Kuehu's only recently graduated. Also, just recently graduating: Jackie Smith, Iwalani Rodrigues, Janelle Nomura, Rebecca Lau, Keisha Kanekoa, Leilani Galdones, Kenisha Bello, Viena Lota, Violet Alama, and maybe more I'm missing. This year we will place at least two more at the DI level with Imai and Mcfadden. I think that maybe last year and this year the competition is down, but I think next year and the following year the competition should be a little better.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. HoopFanatic
    Veteran

    Kane went to Gonzaga. Lorenzo went to Gonzaga. Tokumura went to Utah.

    Like I said, there will always be the good player year in and year out. But it's the complementary payers that make the teams better top to bottom.

    Anyone who watched the OIA from 2000-2004 will notice th dropoff.

    The Kuehu's grad in 08. But Shawna is a shell of her former self. In 06, she was a friken beast.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  8. obiwanginobili
    Member

    @brew

    Yes I agree with you. I definitely forgot about the more recent Galdones, Bello, even Jamie Mattos and that group of girls from Kam.

    Most of the girls I mentioned did not go on to play at prestigious colleges that some of the other girls in the state have. However, there are very few girls it seems like now even being considered a D1 or D2 prospect besides 3 or 4 in the state. Whereas 4-8 years ago it seemed like every team had at least 1 or 2 players playing ball at the next level. Just my opinion and I may be wrong. I do think there are some girls that do have the potential to play at the next level and will currently. That's just my opinion, but I do understand what you are saying brew.

    Posted 2 years ago #

Reply

You must log in to post.