Consistency.
Consistency.
That’s the word Kamehameha-Hawaii coach Garrett Arima uses to describe sophomore standout Casey Poe, who helped lead the Warriors to the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II girls basketball title and a state crown this past season.
“Casey has been our most consistent player the past two years,” Arima said. “She’s long and lanky and can play all five positions on the court. She’s pretty much been our go-to player who could take it to the basket and finish. She’ll always get her points and distribute the ball, too.”
Opposing coaches must have seen the same qualities in the 5-foot-9 forward. They voted Poe as the 2011-12 BIIF East Hawaii Player of the Year.
Poe averaged 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game as the Warriors fought past Honokaa 45-40 in the BIIF Division II final at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Kamehameha (15-2) then went on to win the Division II state title, beating Kauai High 57-36 in the championship game. Poe was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
“We were one team — 12 players and the coaching staff,” Arima said. “Our motto this year was ‘Attitude is everything.’ And a big part of it was how we responded from adversity. The perfect example was in the state semifinals against Maryknoll. We were down and pulled together. We went on a 13-0 run and finished up winning 48-40. But that game showed what this team is all about, that it never gave up, and always fought to the end.”
Arima, who was named the East Hawaii Coach of the Year in the voting by his colleagues, said Casey Poe and her older sister, Chelsea, led the charge throughout the season.
Chelsea, a 5-6 senior, ignited the 13-0 run against Maryknoll and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final minutes as Kamehameha held off the Oahu squad. In the final against Kauai, the Warriors took control early and rolled to a 21-point victory.
“Like she had all season, Chelsea gave us tremendous leadership, and she was our best defender,” Arima said. “With her experience and confidence, she always made sure the team kept its composure and focused on the things we needed to do. In her four years, she played in four state tournaments, finished runner-up twice and won a state title. That’s a pretty nice basketball resume to have.”
Casey Poe topped the All-BIIF East Hawaii first team and was joined, in order of voting, by Waiakea’s Alyssa Ferreira, Keaau’s Jaclanne “Jacy” Pagala, Waiakea’s Sefulu Faavae and her older sister, Chelsea.
Ferreira, a 5-2 combo guard, was the competitive glue that helped keep the undefeated Warriors unbeaten until the league Division I playoffs, when they fell to unbeaten Konawaena in the BIIF final. She provided Waiakea coach Grant Kauhi with leadership, steady scoring, clutch perimeter shooting and outstanding defense in a productive senior season.
Pagala, a 5-2 point guard, was one of the BIIF’s most explosive scorers and often carried the Cougars on offense. But just as important were her competitive fire, strong leadership, ballhandling and defense as coach Mark Kawaha’s hustling squad played hard in every game. She also carried a 4.0 grade-point average for the fourth straight year.
Faavae, a 5-7 junior forward, was one of the league’s most versatile athletes and fit perfectly into Waiakea’s transition game and pressure defenses. She could score from almost anywhere on the floor, while being an excellent rebounder and defender, too. She is one of the league’s top returning underclassmen for next season.
The second team includes, in order of voting, Waiakea’s Daven Namohala-Roloos and Ciera Pacheco, Pahoa’s Randi Berinobis, Kamehameha’s Bobbi Montibon and Keaau’s Randi Estrada.
Namohala-Roloos, a 5-8 sophomore, was a force in the paint for the Warriors. She provided strong inside scoring, rebounding and post defense in a sterling season in which Waiakea lost only one league game. An unselfish player, she gave the Warriors toughness inside.
Pacheco, a 5-3 point guard, was one of the most improved players in the league this season and provided Kauhi with consistent double-digit scoring, floor leadership and defense. But she was also at her best in transition, making tough baskets or dishing off to an open teammate for a score.
Berinobis, a 5-8 sophomore forward, was one of the league’s top scorers and often carried the Daggers’ offense. She also provided strong rebounding and defense during the season for the improving Division II squad.
Bobbi Montibon, a 5-6 senior guard/forward, provided the Warriors with deadly 3-point shooting and a spark on defense with her all-out hustle. Like Chelsea Poe, Montibon was one of the Kamehameha senior leaders on a young but talented team. Estrada, a 5-6 senior guard, teamed with Pagala to give the Cougars a strong one-two scoring punch. She also provided solid ballhandling and defense for Division I Keaau.
Arima was assisted this season by Shannon Poe and Bruce Kekuewa.
“Without my coaching staff this season, we wouldn’t have won the championship,” Arima said. “It was a team effort from everyone, from the players to the coaches.”