Few communities on the Big Island are as passionate about basketball as Kapaau, but Kohala’s low enrollment often makes winning an on-again off-again venture.
Few communities on the Big Island are as passionate about basketball as Kapaau, but Kohala’s low enrollment often makes winning an on-again off-again venture.
The Cowboys were easy to spot Friday at the Keaau/Waiakea boys basketball tournament. They flashed their trademark full-court press and run-and-gun style, and all the while veteran coach Don Fernandez alternated between encouraging claps and disapproving looks.
He is still looking for an on button to push, one that will make his young and inexperienced roster go.
“Plenty of learning,” he said after Hawaii Prep dealt Kohala its third consecutive loss, 69-27. “I hope we make some strides. We have a good bunch of guys. I just want to see a little bit more passion.”
Success usually comes in waves for Fernandez, and coming off a 4-8 campaign, he is hoping to avoid another lull.
Spearheaded by Kealen Figueroa and Hana Caravalho, the last wave of talent carried Kohala to the 2014 BIIF Division II title and a third-place finish at the HHSAA tournament in 2015 – the Cowboys’ best result since taking third in 2009.
“That class had players who were competitive,” Fernandez said. “They were hungry and they loved the game.”
Rest assured, he pointed out, the next wave is coming and is forming in Kohala Parks and Recreation leagues.
“In between (waves),” he said, “not as much fire.
“Sometimes I think me and the coaches want it more than they do.”
On a roster of 17 – that’s junior varsity and varsity – the Cowboys return just three players with varsity experience, led by junior Maui Hook, who can play either guard spot. The other two are sophomores in Jon Nicolas and Isaiah Salvador.
Fernandez will mix and match combinations during the preseason, and the Cowboys have plenty of opportunities to gain refinement. As usual, Kohala is going to wear a lot of tread off its tires, going back and forth to two more tournaments in East Hawaii, the St. Joseph classic and Hilo’s Holiday Prep Classic.
“It’s kind of brutal with the driving,” Fernandez said, “but it’s a great experience for the kids. Trying to win on the road is tough, and this gives us a head start.”
Playing three- and four-guard lineups, the Cowboys don’t boast much size, but they rarely to do, and that’s one of the reasons Kohala annually features a uptempo style all its own in the BIIF.
Fernandez’s goal each preseason is to get his team conditioned to play a hectic pace.
“The half court-game is no advantage for us because we’re so small,” he said. “The half-court game is going to be boring and on top of that we’re going to get dominated.
“Our game is fun to watch, and if you do it right it’s fun to play, too. Hopefully, this year’s team slowly catches on and we can be competitive.”
The first goal is to reach the four-team Division II playoffs, which Kohala missed by a game last season.
If Kohala falls short again, Fernandez’s son Drew will continue to own bragging rights in their ohana. The younger Fernandez recently coached Hilo’s girls volleyball team to its first BIIF Division I crown.
The father saw some traits in his son that any coach would appreciate.
“So passionate. He just believes in what we taught him growing up,” Don Fernandez said. “Hard knocks, hard work. We gave him tough love sometimes.”
Keaau/Waiakea Boys
Basketball Tournament
At Keaau Gym
Wednesday
Kealakehe 70, Ka‘u 53
Keaau 33, St. Joseph 30
Keaau 11 36, Pahoa 34
Kalani 38, Kamehameha-HI 28
Thursday
Ka’u 43, St. Joseph 42
Kamehameha 44, Pahoa 23
Keaau def. Kealakehe
Kalani def. Keaau II
Friday
St. JosePh 33, Pahoa 31
Kealakehe 52, KSH 40
Kalani vs. Keaau
Ka‘u vs. Keaau II, cancelled
At Waiakea Gym
Wednesday
Waiakea 58, Kohala 27
Konawaena 61, Hawaii Prep 40
McKinley 53, Hilo 49
Note: Laupahoehoe dropped out
Thursday
Konawaena 55, Waiakea 51
Hawaii Prep 50, Hilo 36
Friday
Hawaii Prep 69, Kohala 27
Waiakea 64, Hilo 51
Konawaena 40, McKinley 38, OT
Saturday
At Keaau
Red 8 vs. Blue 8, 10:30 a.m.
Red 7 vs. Blue 7, Noon
Red 6 vs. Blue 6, 1:30 p.m.
Red 5 vs. Blue 5, 3 p.m.
At Waiakea
Red 4 vs. Blue 4, 3 pm.
Red 3 vs. Blue 3, 4:30 p.m.
Red 2 vs. Blue 2, 6 p.m.
Red 1 vs. Blue 1, 7:30 p.m.