Lady Trojans To Bond, Play Basketball At Waiakea Tourney
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usLiving as a family means living under the same roof. So when the Mililani girls basketball team flies this week to the Waiakea Pre-Season Tournament on the Big Island, it will spend its off-court time in a rented house just outside of Hilo rather than a hotel.
“We want everyone in the same room, so we rent a house,” said Patrick Basilio, who will collaborate with his assistant coaches to cook meals. “(Team unity) is one of the reasons we do it. The extra time they spend together makes for a family environment. When we come back, we want to be a rock solid and tight family.”
The Trojans also will face good competition with Division I state runner-up Konawaena part of the field, as well as Hilo High and host Waiakea. Starting Thursday, Mililani is guaranteed to play three games in three days. The Trojans came last year and also played in a Maui tournament the season before.
Hopes are high for Mililani once again after going 12-6 overall last year. That included an appearance at the state tournament in February. As it readies itself for the new season, point guard Kellie Sakai is the team’s undisputed leader and Basilio’s coach on the court.
“I love to use the word unstoppable for Kellie - she’s fearless,” he said. “Even though she’s one of the best, she’s always trying to better herself, and her humility rubs off on the others.”
Sakai averaged 8.7 points per game last year and was at her best during the Red West race, tallying in double figures in seven straight games to close the season.
Basilio is equally excited about junior two-guard Kayla Wright, who moved up from JV last January.
“She’s almost a mirror image of Kellie with the way she runs the floor, with her vision, and she can shoot the long range jump shot, too. She and Kellie are interchangeable. They both can play the point or the two.”
Also in Basilio’s plan is sophomore forward Nayla Long, who was moved up to play with the varsity during the post-season last winter.
“She’ll play a huge role for us this year. She’s the total package when it comes to a three or four. She has a sweet mid-range jump shot, and she’s still in the growing stages with her post moves. She went to North Carolina’s summer camp, and it did wonders for her overall game. She’ll open up some eyes.”
The most exciting off-season development was the arrival of California-transfer Jasmyne Garcay, who is projected to start in the post.
“She’s your prototypical center,” Basilio said of the 5-foot-11 Garcay. “She went through summer with us and conditioning, so she has a good handle on our program. Above all, her attitude is the best. She’s in it for the team, and she’s going to be a force, defensively. She’s fearless under the basket. She’s a banger.”
Garcay’s inside presence should help balance out the Trojans’ attack, in Basilio’s view. “Right now, inside game will be our strength. We can also push the ball with Kellie and Kayla, so it will be interesting this year.”
Mililani hosts Kahuku Nov. 17 in a final preseason tune-up and begins its Red West season Nov. 22 at Leilehua.
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