HONOKA‘A — Honoka‘a High’s boys varsity basketball team finalized its roster on Friday, and is now gearing up for the upcoming season.
In his eleventh year with the program, Brandon Robles is taking the helm for his first year as head coach.
“We’re looking pretty good, we just need to practice more together and jell, get more used to each other,” Robles said. “We’re coming along, we’ve got several seniors and the juniors have been working hard.”
The Dragons have returned much of their star power, retaining six seniors and also gaining a few new underclassmen.
One of those returners is Elijah Kaupu-Alip, the team’s point guard — who also played quarterback on HHS’ football team.
“He’s a good leader, has good vision, good handles,” Robles said. “He’s a QB, so he can handle the pressure — big game pressure, he’s used to that. There’s no defensive linemen chasing him down, so this isn’t as bad.”
Also returning is senior guard/forward Mauloa Tagabi, who was an All-BIIF DII First-Team selection last season.
“He’s coming in even stronger than last year,” Robles said. “He’s a scorer, he has an explosive first step. We’re putting big things on him as well.
“He can play any position one through four, but we’re starting him at the three-spot — which is the wing. He can dribble, he can shoot, he can play any spot.”
Another senior veteran is Kinohi Lindsey, who — like his classmate Kaupu-Alip — is also a multi-sport athlete. Lindsey is an important part of Honoka‘a’s baseball team, and earned a spot on the 2022-23 All-BIIF DII second team. Last year, Lindsey was unable to finish the basketball season due to an injury.
“He’s a tall, big guy,” Robles said. “Unfortunately he didn’t get to finish the season. This year, his senior year, he’s excited to play. We expect good things from him on the court. He’s a rebounder, scorer in the paint. He’s one of our few players that can dunk..”
The Dragons are hoping that before the end of the season, one of their biggest stars will return from injury reserve. Kiandray Rideout, another 2022-23 All-BIIF first-teamer, is currently recovering from a surgery.
“He’s worth getting rehabbed,” Robles said. “He’s a great shooter, he’s good in transition — but he won’t be able to play right away.”
The Dragons have also gained a senior transfer, David Aiona, who previously attended Kamehameha Schools.
“He’s gonna be one of our big guys,” Robles said. “From what I’ve seen at practice, he’s gonna be a good presence in the paint for us.”
With a strong and seasoned starting roster and a familiar coach, everything is in place for the Dragons to take another run at the BIIF DII title.
Last season, Honoka‘a went 14-8 overall and 8-3 in regular-season BIIF play — making it to the BIIF DII final, where the Dragons lost 57-53 to Kohala High. The Cowboys later went on to win the DII state title.
“(Lindsey) didn’t finish the season, so he would have helped us (at the BIIF championship),” Robles said. “But with the players we had, everybody stepped up, they battled. Kohala was eventually the state champion, so losing to them by just four points was a morale victory — even though that’s not what you look for.
“They battled to the end, they didn’t give up, and that’s what I expect for us this year.”
Though the team has just recently reached its season form, the players are already familiar with one another and have jumped right back into their longstanding team culture of positivity.
“They’re pretty close,” Robles said. “Nobody is acting like they’re the best, and nobody’s acting like the worst. They’re the kind of group where they rally around each other.”
Honoka‘a will kick off its season on the road Dec. 6 at Hawaii Prep. The Dragons’ second game will be away at Waiakea High the following week, and their first home game will be Dec. 14. The Honoka‘a boys team will play a total of six home games — hosting KS-Hawai‘i, Christian Liberty, Kealakehe, Kohala, Pahoa and Konawaena in order.
BIIF boys basketball playoffs will begin Feb. 3, six days after girls playoffs begin.
