JV Talent A Pleasant Surprise For Soaring Red Raiders
By Jack Danilewicz
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Just when the Kahuku girls basketball team’s opponents may have thought they were beginning to get a handle on the Red Raiders’ extensive roster, a couple of relative unknowns found their way into the mix to complicate matters.
To be sure, even coach David Te’o wasn’t fully aware of the positive impact freshman guards Temutisa Te’o and Mata Tonga would have on his team in recent days, after the pair were moved up from the junior varsity at season’s end.
“We’re excited to have them out there,” Te’o said of the pair. “We brought them up when we thought there was a need for them, and they’re both providing valuable time. It’s been exciting to see them playing under pressure, being as young as they are. People think Mata’s a senior, and Tisa is a pace-setter, like (starting point guard) Rachael (Tailele).”
The name of Jessica Falemalu also is on the consciousness of Kahuku’s opponents. Only a sophomore, Falemalu also has had her share of promising moments. Together, the threesome help round out a solid supporting cast for the Red Raiders, who enter this week’s OIA Division II Conference Tournament as one of the favorites. They entered the weekend at 10-1 with their only regular-season setback coming on the road to Kaimuki in early January on a night when several key members of the team were on volleyball-related trips to the Mainland.
“The biggest relief has been our bench,” Te’o said. “They have to be ready to play at any time - we go six-deep there.”
The greater chore this week may be to close out games in much the same manner they typically begin them, in Te’o's view.
“When the girls begin a game, they’re excited and upbeat, and they’re trying to run what we’ve taught them. Our downfall has been that when we have a feel for a team, we begin to play to the level of the competition.
“That’s been the frustrating part for us. It’s been kind of an upand-down battle.
“Some of our starters have been a little content with where they’re at,” he added. “Our game with Kalaheo was a good example. We trailed the whole game, and they had a one-and-one at the end that could have ended it. With their backs to the wall, they (the Red Raiders) looked more like the team we’ve known them to be.”
Kahuku’s starting lineup has featured Nile Te’o, Lama Tito, Hi’ilei Cummings and Jovan Falemalu in addition to Tailele in recent outings. Te’o expected to be without Falemalu this week as she takes part in a volleyball event on the Mainland, so Lala Latu likely will move into the lineup. Senior center Adele Schwenke also will miss this week’s tournament while in New Zealand visiting family.
Regardless of which lineup is in the game for Kahuku, Te’o is anticipating an ultra-competitive tournament.
“We all talk about wanting to be in Division I, and any one of us - Kalaheo, Kaimuki and Kaiser - could go in and compete in Division I with the very best,” he said.
“We’ve made it a real competitive conference. It (the OIA tournament) is going to come down to defense and whoever makes the least number of mistakes.
“We’re emphasizing the same things - being consistent and getting great help from our bench.”
Pairings and sites for the OIA tourney were to be finalized over the weekend.
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