Aganus keeps Kamehameha on track

Saydee Aganus’ 3-point jump shot is still under development, which is to say the aim is what Aganus would like to see improve.

She has the jumping part down.

When Aganus shoots from the free-throw line and in, with the way she elevates, it’s a pleasure for Kamehameha coach Weston Willard to watch.

“It’s a true jump shot,” he said.

Aganus’ explosiveness comes in awful handy on the track as well.

The world – or at least the Hawaii high school track and field world – may be her oyster, but this isn’t a story about Saydee Aganus the hurdling/sprinting ace, because that can wait a week or two.

No, this is a story about Saydee Aganus the uber-athletic point guard, and if there is a theme that Aganus carries between the two sports it’s her Hawaii humility.

“Humble but strong,” Willard said.

That would perhaps explain why Aganus was caught off-guard to learn she had been chosen BIIF Division II girls basketball Player of the Year, as selected by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, West Hawaii Today and the league’s coaches.

“I’m surprised, because there are so many deserving players,” Aganus said.

If she had a vote, she might have given it to teammate Jordyn Mantz, who is a more of a natural basketball player, which is somewhat of a rarity for the two-time defending BIIF champion Warriors.

“She’s hard working and such a good player,” Aganus said. “I look up to her on the court.”

In 2016, she led Kamehameha in almost every offensive category, and was second in steals.

Kamehameha tried to become more balanced this past season and met one of its goals as Mantz led the team in scoring.

“We were a better team this year because more players were involved,” Willard said. “When Saydee is at her best, she is our best player. She was more comfortable in our system and where the ball is supposed to go.”

Willard says Aganus still led the Warriors in rebounds, assists and steals during her junior season.

“Last year, I kind of tried to score too much,” she said. “This year, I tried to become a better passer, a leader and be more vocal for my team.

“Being vocal is really hard for me because I’m not a vocal person.”

She was joined on the All-BIIF first-team by Mantz, Kamehameha’s Taylor Sullivan and Kohala’s Mikayla Kekoa and Brittany Shimono.

Kamehameha beat the Cowgirls 50-17 in the BIIF final and didn’t lose a Division II game until the HHSAA final, a 63-28 defeat to Mid-Pacific that got away from the Warriors in a hurry and was their second consecutive state runner-up finish.

With its core set to return next season – Mantz, Sullivan and all-BIIF second-teamer Makenzie Kalawaia also will be seniors – unfinished business figures to be a theme for Kamehameha in 2018.

It’s just not on some of the Warriors’ minds right now. Understandably, Aganus hasn’t touched a basketball since the season ended. She’s got the BIIF and HHSAA track and field finals on the horizon in consecutive weeks at Keaau High. Sullivan has been busy all spring playing with the Kamehameha’s softball team, which starts states this week.

Willard may well have two future Division I college athletes on his roster, though neither of them choose basketball as their favorite sport.

“We really haven’t had a chance to coalesce since the state tournament,” Willard said. “But I understand and want the girls to succeed and be college athletes. I root for Saydee just as hard in track and field as I do on the basketball court.

“She’s fortunate. She’s gifted in so many different areas, and I’m excited to see what she can do.”

Aganus figures to pick up a basketball again over the summer, and her to-do list includes improving that pesky 3-point shot. She makes it in practice, but not consistently in games as of yet.

“I definitely feel that with all of us coming back for a fourth year, the goal should be to win a state championship,” Aganus said.

Until the fall, that’s it from Aganus on the basketball court.

She’s got to run.