HILO — It’s simple the way things work on the basketball court for Hawaii Prep: score close to the basket and defend the rim.
The two-time defending BIIF Division II champion Ka Makani are really good at other things, too, such as rebounding, ball-handling and taking smart shots.
When the moon and stars align just right, they’ll challenge for a HHSAA championship, which is basically every year, a reason they’ve reached states seven times in the last eight years.
Ka Makani is consistent in what they do. They don’t beat themselves with turnovers, give up transition baskets or foul out. Self-disciplined is a good way to describe them.
Even better, Ka Makani has a game fit for the state level, where half-court execution, on both offense and defense, is paramount. They can change their style of play from the uptempo BIIF to the slowdown at states.
In the BIIF championship, HPA won a track race against Kohala 78-58. In three games at states (a win over University, loss to Farrington and win over Seabury Hall), HPA averaged 47 points and gave up 45.
Coach Fred Wawner has a veteran squad with three returning starters, including co-player of the year in guard Javan Perez and All-BIIF first-team pick KJ Walker. Michael Hughes, a senior forward, is the other starter back.
Tre Walker, a sophomore guard, received significant minutes last year, as well as senior forward Umi Kealoha.
The team lost its two bigs in Matija Vitorovic, who graduated, and Valentinas Ulinas, who didn’t return to school.
“It’s a fun group. They’ve got a lot of mileage. The guys have been together for a long time,” Wawner said. “They’ve had success, and we look forward to seeing what we can do.
“This group challenges each other. We’re going to put the best guys on the floor every night. The kids like that competition and work hard. We have to figure out who can help us and when.”
That’s also the fun part about coaching: putting together a puzzle and making all the pieces fit.
HPA opens its BIIF season against St. Joseph on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at home, but first it hosts Ka Makani Boys Basketball Tip Off Classic, Thursday-Saturday.
Ka Makani could start a big lineup with 6-foot-2 senior Ry Bleckel, along with the 6-0 Hughes, and 6-1 Kealoha or go small with Tre Walker or junior Justin Lina, who was on the junior varsity.
The team’s defensive emphasis starts with Perez, whose ball pressure is key in disrupting an opponent’s rhythm.
“He brings toughness and calm,” Wawner said. “He’s our defensive stopper. He brings that effort and toughness every night.
“If you’re not playing defense, you’re not playing. That’s how we’re built.”
With Valentinas gone, someone will need to step up and replace his double-digit scoring. Perez has a smooth mid-range game, and the Walker brothers can shoot, too.
“He understands what we need and when,” Wawner said about KJ Walker’s game. “Tre has a high basketball IQ. We’ll find minutes for him, and he’ll help us.”
Lina was a slotback on the football team. He was shifty and explosive, traits that’ll help on the court. He was the leading scorer on the JV last year.
“We keep it simple and try to get close to the rim as we can,” Wawner said. “We’ve got high expectations. We’ve won the BIIF the last few years and came up short at states. We don’t talk about wins and losses. It’s about maxing out our effort.”
Ka Makani Boys Basketball Tip Off Classic
At Castle Gym
Thursday
Kauai vs. Parker, 4:30 p.m.
Hanalani vs. Kealakehe, 6 p.m.
Le Jardin vs. Hawaii Prep, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Kauai JV vs. Kealakehe JV, 3 p.m.
Kealakehe vs Kauai, 4:30 p.m.
Parker vs. Le Jardin, 6 p.m.
Hawaii Prep vs Hanalani, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Hanalani vs Parker, 11 a.m.
Le Jardin vs Kealakehe, 12:30 p.m.
Kauai vs Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
