To say Waiakea’s boys basketball team made it look effortless and simple last season might be true, but that wouldn’t be giving the Warriors their due.
To be sure, they found their comfort zone and cruised through the BIIF Division I race.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy, but with our starting five, I would say we got it easy,” senior Kiai Apele said Tuesday while taking a short break during practice. “We had a bond and knew what we were going to do and knew each others strengths and weakness and playing together became second nature.”
Trying to replace three starters, the Warriors, naturally, are less instinctual and more deliberate this preseason, though their expectations are nothing short of a fourth BIIF title in five seasons.
“We are behind, but don’t get me wrong,” Apele said, “with the coaching staff that we have, we can actually be better than we were last year”
There’s plenty of time to get there and an ample amount of basketball to be played until the rubber meets the road.
Coming earlier on the calender than usual, the Waiakea-Keaau Boys Basketball Tournament runs Wednesday through Saturday at those two schools’ gym and features five teams from other islands, including three from the OIA. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Warriors take on Waipahu, which is is coached by Waiakea alum Randy Sagon.
“It’s nice because fans can see teams and players they haven’t seen before,” Waiakea coach Paul Lee said. “Our players get to go against teams they didn’t play all summer. (Big Island teams), we all play in the same (summer) leagues and it gets continuous and stuff. Sometimes, it’s good to see somebody you don’t see the whole year.”
Before its BIIF title defense begins in late December, Waiakea also will play Punahou at Kailua’s tournament on Oahu, and the Warriors will face Iolani at St. Joseph’s annual tournament in mid-December. Many times along the way, Lee hopes to see his team get “exposed.”
“This tournament should be fun for everybody,” Lee said. “Everybody has had a week to get out there and to try and not turn the ball over. Sometimes it can be hard to watch this early for fans. A lot of fouls and turnovers.”
With Apele at the helm at point guard last season en route being selected BIIF D-I player of the year, turnovers came at a premium for Waiakea. It lost only to eventual Division II champion Hawaii Prep during the regular season and steamrolled through BIIFs, beatings Kamehameha and Hilo by a combined 68 points.
“He’s always been a great basketball mind, but he’s gotten physically stronger and worked hard on his game,” Lee said. “He’s gotten better defensively and can really control the pace of the game.”
Of the three departed starters – Rekky Prudencio and 6-foot-3 Peter Suiaunoa were all-BIIF and Will Soares made honorable mention – Lee tabbed Suiaunoa has the hardest to replace because of his defensive presence.
Makana Kaehuaea-Credo, a 5-10 senior forward, and Elijah Blankenship, a 6-1 junior forward, each made honorable mention last season and represent Waiakea’s inside presence, though 6-3 sophomore Joel Feliciano could help in time.
“Makana’s a volleyball player like Peter and has great body control. He’s a good defensive player, good passer and he’s gotten better offensively,” Lee said. “He’s one player we look to step up big this season and control our whole defense. He can guard any player.
“Elijah is more of an offensive player, a really good rebounder and we’re working on his defense.”
The Warriors had the luxury last season of bringing Keegan Scanlan off the bench to provide offense, but the 5-10 senior will start at shooting guard and can play the wing. Scanlan formerly played at St. Joseph, and another former Cardinal is in the fold in 5-5 junior guard Paul Isotani Jr., a shooter.
Dominic Rodriguez, a 5-9 senior, and Reese Bergen, a 5-10 freshman, also can help out on the wing or at guard.
“Everyone has been together this preseason, offseason and traveling to the mainland,” Apele said. “We have a good core and chemistry with each other.”
Waiakea-Keaau Boys
Basketball Tournament
Wednesday
At Waiakea
Aiea vs. Kohala, 3:30 p.m.
Waimea vs. St. Joseph, 5 p.m.
Waiakea vs. Waipahu, 6:30 p.m.
Hilo vs. Kamehameha-Maui, 8 p.m.
At Keaau
Honokaa vs. Pahoa, 3:30 p.m.
Kealakehe vs. HPA. 5 p.m.
Kapolei vs. Konawaena, 6:30 p.m.
Ka’u vs. Keaau, 8 p.m.