Though Young, Hurricanes Among Top Teams In League
By Jack Danilewicz
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There was no direct line to Jared Milare becoming Kapolei head basketball coach Gary Ellison’s coach on the floor this season. Although one of two sophomores in the starting lineup, Milare has taken to the task lately.
“He’s been playing really well for us,” Ellison said of Milare, who played on the JV as a freshman.“He’s coming into his own and becoming more of a leader. He’s understanding our offense better and trying to get everyone together. We’ve put a lot on his shoulders this year.”
The Hurricanes are one of the youngest teams in the OIA Red West Conference this season with Milare currently joined in the starting lineup by fellow sophomore Wes Mataafa and juniors Nashon George, Kapua Awong and Devyn Knight. Kapolei’s won-lost ledger reflects its youth, as they were winless in five outings heading into last weekend’s action. Ellison remains encouraged, however, given the collection of talent and day-to-day progression.
“They’re starting to get the hang of it, and we’re seeing a lot more improvement in practice. We have to put together the complete game. We usually play good for a half, and then we kind of fade, but the boys are fighting. That’s the thing that has impressed me. These guys won’t give up.
“We think the whole team will step up,” he added, “and we know we’ll win some games in the second half (of the Red West slate).”
Next up, the Hurricanes visit Radford for a game tonight. On Friday night, they host neighboring Campbell in another key contest.
To date, an undeniable bright spot has been Milare. “He worked hard in the off-season. His strength is his ball-handling, and he has a quick first step. We weren’t looking for him to take over this season, but because of other circumstances, we told him, ‘You have to take over now.’”
In the supporting cast, Ellison sees a lot of potential - especially given that George, Mataafa, Awong and Knight are among the players who will return next year. All are athletic, according to their coach.
George is a 6-foot-5 center, while Mataafa is a 6-2 sophomore playing at the three-spot.
“Nashon brings a lot of athletic ability,” Ellison said. “He’s consistent on both sides of the court, offensively and defensively. He gives us a tall presence, offensively. Defensively, we can put him on the wing. He’s pretty quick.
“Wes started the season with the JV, but we’ve pulled him up, and he’s been doing really well for us,” he added of Mataafa.“He brings speed and quickness for someone of his size. He’s quick off the dribble, and he likes to have fun.”
Juniors Awong and Knight round out the starting lineup of late. “Kapua is in his first year of varsity - he was injured last year and could-n’t play basketball,” Ellison said of Awong.“Consistency is his strength. I know what I’m going to get when he’s on the court. He works hard at both ends.
“We expected Devyn to play a lot this year,” he added of Knight. “He’s worked hard from his JV season up until now, and he’s worked himself into the starting lineup.”
Ellison also is counting on Jordan Solidum, Chance Lawson, Michael Ching, Kainoa Pakele and Kamry Nedd to give the Hurricanes solid minutes in the second half of the Red West season.
Lawson was a starter last year but has been slowed by illness in recent weeks, according to Ellison, while Solidum “is small, but feisty.”
Turnovers have been the Achilles heel to date, in Ellison’s view.
“We’re inexperienced with no seniors in our lineup, and controlling our turnovers is a key. We’ve given up a lot of points (off of Kapolei’s own miscues). This is also the first time any of these guys have played with each other (at the varsity level). It’s a brand new team from last year.”
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