A track standout runs the point, while a slugger in softball bangs underneath in the post.
A track standout runs the point, while a slugger in softball bangs underneath in the post.
At first glance, Kamehameha’s girls basketball team is very much still trying to find its way. But on second look, so is every other squad in BIIF Division II.
That reshuffled divisional race wasn’t on the Warriors’ minds during a preseason in which they took their lumps against some of the best Division I competition in the state.
Assistant coach Tiffany Mariano, who filled in for coach Weston Willard at Waiakea’s tournament Saturday, says Kamehameha will measure themselves against that lofty standard all season long.
“Definitely, it helped,” she said. “I think this team can compete with them honestly. We just have to mature a little bit and be a little more disciplined. Athletically, we can still compete with D-I and we plan to.
“We have a lot of potential to do some damage this year.”
Kamehameha is the most accomplished Division II program in Hawaii – four HHSAA titles and four runner-up finishes speak volumes – though Honokaa knocked it down a peg the past two years with consecutive BIIF and state crowns.
The Dragons’ leap to D-I leaves the Warriors in BIIF D-II along with four squads that all had losing records last season: Kohala (5-6), Ka’u (3-8), Hawaii Prep (1-9) and Pahoa (0-10).
The Warriors open the regular season Monday at home against Pahoa without any of the key cogs remaining from their last state championship team after guard Riana Arima, co-BIIF Division II Player of the Year last season, graduated.
“More of a collective thing this season,” Mariano said. “We’re going to use all five players and anyone of them can go off on any given night. I expect that from all of them.”
A pair of sophomores will assume bigger roles after successful seasons in other sports as ninth-graders.
Saydee Aganus, a sprinter and hurdler in track, is using her athleticism and quickness at point guard.
“She’s come a long way for not being a point guard her whole life,” Mariano said. “Like any track runner, they all know one speed. Basketball is a little different. You have to go fast to slow, slow to fast.”
Taylor Sullivan, who cranked four home runs and hit .417 for Kamehameha’s softball team, mixes physicality and deceptive quickness whether she’s playing down low or on the perimeter.
“She is a hard person to guard,” Mariano said. “She can shoot the 3, she’s a big presence inside and when she gets aggressive, it’s very hard to stop.”
Junior Hera Salmeron is among the players who will see time at shooting guard.
And this wouldn’t be Kamehameha without a pair of players named Poe. Caitlin is a senior, while Camille is a sophomore. Twice before, Poe sisters have teamed up on state championship teams – Chelsea and Casey in 2012 and Casey and Caitlin in 2013.
“They’re both super strong defensively,” Mariano said. “They bring that energy and intensity and I expect that from them through the whole season.”
She also expects intensity in practice.
“Practice is business, it’s not fun, especially if you want to compete against the best,” said Mariano, who played college ball at City College of San Francisco before walking on at Long Beach State. “You can tell the other teams by what type of practices they have.”