Trojans Benefit From Summer Clinic

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When Mililani head girls basketball coach Patrick Basilio organized a clinic for girls this summer, it was largely to help promote the game among the youths in the community. He’s also found that the members of his own varsity team have been big beneficiaries.

“A lot of them have taken the clinics seriously, and now they’re starting to see the results,” said Basilio, whose Trojans girls basketball clinics run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday. “When kids begin to see the rewards, the mentality changes from there.”

For their own part, the varsity team figures to be among the more interesting teams to track in the OIA next season, having gone 7-7 this past winter with a roster dominated by juniors. Mililani took a 4-0 record in Pearl City’s Summer League into Monday’s regular-season finale against the host Chargers. The Trojans begin the playoffs on Wednesday. Pairings and matchups for the post-season were to be determined following Monday’s results.Although not preoccupied with wins and losses in the summer, Basilio has been pleased with his team’s progress. Mililani’s wins came against Leilehua, Aiea, Kapolei and ILH member University High.

“We’ll have a lot of seniors, so this is going to be a big year for us,“said Basilio, who enters his second year as Mililani’s varsity coach following eight years at the JV level. “A lot of the teams in the league have their basic core of people back, so the competition has been good. There have been good games throughout.

“The summer has definitely brought them much closer together. The bond is strong. These girls are battle-tested, and they’re going to be able to get the job done in the fourth quarter.”

That would mean first and foremost on the defensive end, where the Trojans have placed much emphasis this summer.

“We’re trying to have that defensive mentality. Our strength is going to be our speed. We always give up a lot height-wise. We want to push the ball up and down and be good in transition.”

The return of junior point guard Jordan Sakai could go a long way in that regard. She played varsity as a freshman before spending a year at Thompson Academy.

“She’ll probably be our starter (at point guard),“he said.“She’s super tough, mentally and physically - she’ll take the ball to the basket versus anybody. Although she’s small, she’s a prototypical point guard. She handles the ball well and has good vision on the court.”

The Trojans also will welcome back a pair of returning starters for next season in seniors-to-be Sophie Chang and Chelsea Basilio (no relation to the coach).

“Chelsea has already stepped it up,” Basilio said. “She’s in full-on, mid-season form. Sophie is a doit-all kind of girl. You can put her at any position, and she’s a dead-eye, three-point shooter.”