Sabers Hope To Secure Seat In State B-ball Tournament
By Jack Danilewicz
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With four games in four days usually the norm in the Division I state basketball tournament, depth remains a concern of every coach whose team makes the event.
Count Campbell’s Wyatt Tau in the group. His team guaranteed itself a sixth state tournament appearance in the last seven years as it reached the late stages of the OIA’s own post-season tournament. For his part, the first-year Sabers coach likes the development of his supporting cast and formidable starting lineup to date.
“The players coming off of the bench have been our most improved part of the team,” said Tau, “and our bench will have to produce (at the state tournament).”
Tau was referring to post players Mason Mau and Christopher Crawford as well as guards Timothy Friend, Maika Ulufale, Allan Otanes and C.J. Ramos. The latter two have been in and out of the starting five throughout the season.
Heading into last weekend, Campbell already had secured one of the league’s five state tournament berths with an overtime win Wednesday over Farrington. They were to play Kahuku Saturday in a key game with hopes of positioning themselves to play for the league title this week when the OIA’s post-season continues. Pairings for the Division I state tournament, which takes place next Tuesday through Saturday at various Oahu sites, will be announced on Sunday. Among the Sabers’ priorities in preparation for the event will be to close out games better after losing a big lead versus Farrington. Campbell was saved in that game by clutch execution in the extra session.
“The kids kept their composure, and we ran some set plays and they worked,” said Tau.“We’ve been good in the first half, but we’ve struggled (late in games). Right now, we’ve been up and down. We haven’t really played a full game yet. Against Farrington, the kids played lackadaisical. They (the Governors) came back strong and put up a good fight.”
The Sabers have counted on their balance on the offensive end to date, with Kristian Manuel, Christian Storment and Clayton Darity averaging in double figures during the OIA portion of their schedule. Manuel has a game-high 22 points in the win over Farrington last week, while Storment and Darity added 13 and 7 points, respectively, in that encounter.
Tau also had high praise for 6-foot post player Fouina Haskins, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds versus Farrington.
“Fouina has been playing real well for us,” Tau said. “He’s understanding more about playing the game, and he can really jump. He had 11 blocks in our game against Waipahu recently.”
Storment has emerged as the team’s “coach on the floor,” meanwhile, in Tau’s view.
“He’s our team leader and our general,” he said. “He’s been calm, which is just what we’ve been asking of him. He’s well-spoken on the court about getting our guys to the right spots. I’m real proud of him.”
Manuel’s assertiveness has translated into some big scoring nights - as against Farrington.
“He’s been very aggressive,” Tau said of Manuel. “He wants to win. He pushes the ball. He’s a player. He’s not one who needs to be given a speech to get him to play. He has a great attitude about playing the game.”
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