New Starters, Coach Don’t Deter Sabers’ Winning Streak

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The Campbell High School girls basketball team didn’t have to wait for next winter to get “battle tested.” During their eight-game slate at Kalaheo’s summer league, the Sabers found themselves in a host of close games.

“It’s been a good experience,” said Jody Bantolina, who is entering her first year as Campbell head coach following four years as the head JV coach under Nathan Macadangdang. “We had a few games where we had the lead and lost at the end at the buzzer, so we’re learning you have to play hard all the time. You can’t let up just because you’re ahead.”

After winning the Division II state title in February, the Sabers have all but guaranteed themselves the receiving end of every opponent’s best effort. That has held true in an ultra-competitive league that includes Kalaheo, Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, Iolani and a Hawaii Select all-star team coached by Kalaheo boys coach Chico Furtado, among others.

Reputation aside, the Sabers are in a reconstruction phase personnel-wise, with post player Oli Kila the only returning starter, although reserves Randi Wright and Ama Lui are in the fold. The trio form the nucleus of Campbell’s summer league team, which took a 1-7 record into the weekend.

“Oli is very quick, and she defends well around the basket,” Bantolina said. “She also has a great turn-around jumper. Right now, we’re trying to establish her more as a leader. This is the first year she’ll have to be that.

“Randi has a nice outside shot. She just has to work on her confidence level. If she can get that going, she’ll be able to take more shots and she’ll score more. We have a lot of girls who can shoot the ball, but right now they like to give up the ball. Ama is very energetic and quick with her post moves. We moved her to a guard spot in our zone (defense), and right away she got steals.”

Through its play in Kalaheo’s summer league, Campbell’s post play has been among its strengths. Kila and Lui are both active and agile for their 5-9 frames, according to their coach.

“Our post players are our best asset right now,” she said.“There’s some fine-tuning to do with them, but just watching them in summer league, they’ve both played real well in one-on-one (situations). They’re usually getting fouled or scoring.

“For most of them, it’s all new again (in summer),” Bantolina added. “We have six up from the junior varsity team and our three returnees, so we’re trying to put that together. We’ve only been practicing once a week usually. We have to squeeze in gym time because there are others using it. I tell the girls, ‘We’re doing fine for a team that doesn’t practice.’”

Three other players from last year who are currently involved with other activities are expected to rejoin the team in the winter. Among the Sabers’ priorities is tightening up their defense, according to Bantolina, who hopes to force the issue with an up-tempo style.

“Our defense is very good when they want to be,” she said with a laugh. “We get on them about defense, and other coaches and referees tell me to relax, that it’s only summer, so I’m trying to relax.”

Kalaheo’s summer league season culminates this week with the playoffs. The Sabers will be in action on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Matchups for the postseason were to be finalized over the weekend.