It's interesting how some bloggers get into some of these debates without ever having seen the player play more than a game or two, and then make statements that are not backed up by facts.
I've seen all the top players mentioned as the East Division Player of the Year candidates. But if you've really watched most of the games and saw the top players play multiple times, there are only three players that should be in the POY discussion.
They are:
-- Jacob Andrade, St. Joseph. The league's top scorer and a strong defensive player, much underrated and who averages four steals and six rebounds per game, that's more rebounds than Hilo's 6-foot-4 Dakota Allen averages per game. Andrade plays on the back of St. Joseph's zone and often outbattles taller opponents for rebounds.
His quickness and physical strength on defense are great assets, and he always plays hard. It's a bogus argument to claim that he doesn't play defense, he does, just ask coach Scanlan-Leite.
Most of the bloggers who rip Andrade point to his attitude or say he can't do this or that. But in reality almost every coach in the league would want him on their team. Plus, if you ask his St. Joseph teammates if he's "wanted on that team," every one would say "yes." They understand what he brings to the table every game and he's been the difference in several games this year, something few players can match.
In my opinion, Andrade is the overwhelming choice for East POY, with the following two players earning some consideration.
-- Richie Handy, Keaau. The league's most versatile player who can play any position. Like Andrade, he plays hard all the time. He's an excellent scorer, rebounder and defender. And if Keaau would have made a strong run in the BIIF playoffs, he might have been closer to Andrade for the top honor.
Richie is a great kid, too, and when the BIIF coaches vote, he'll get his votes ... maybe enough to win it.
-- Chris Mattos, Waiakea. He was Waiakea's most important player throughout the season with Matt Libao in second. Mattos did the dirty work inside, rebounding and defense, and scored when the team needed it.
During the BIIF season and up until the final, Mattos was still in the POY hunt. But with Hilo winning the BIIF title, that hurt his shot at the award.
Based on coaches voting in the past, it's very political and Handy will probably win the POY honor because he's a good player and has a good attitude. That's not the same way that Andrade and Mattos are perceived by some coaches and fans, and usually you either like their in-your-face style of play or you don't.
But if you really picked the East POY on the facts and stats and didn't hold some personal grudge against him, Andrade would be the clear-cut award winner.
... just my three cents.