Kristen Corrales A Key Playmaker For Surfriders’ Surge

Wednesday - January 23, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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Time away from the Kailua girls basketball team doesn’t mean time away from the sport for Kristen Corrales. As the unofficial resident pro at Waimanalo District Park, where she’s spent much of her life working on her game, there’s no such thing as an offseason.

“I was always at the gym, even if it was just me,” said Corrales.“It just evolved to that.When I was little,my mom’s boyfriend used to play with his friends all the time, and he would take me along. That’s what influenced me. I’ve been playing since I was in fourth grade, and basketball has always been important to me. I had to work at it.”

Her long hours at the gym have paid off with an impressive prep career. Kailua’s first four-year starter since Loke Lastimosa, Corrales has been a steady player since she first walked onto the practice floor.


“She’s been very loyal to the program,“said Ramona Takahashi, who is in her 21st season as the Surfrider coach.“She’s a quiet leader by example who has developed and really defined her game. She’s there for the team.When she came to us, she was strictly a two guard, but because of her knowledge, she can play all five positions now. We moved her to the one (point guard) this year, and she’s accepted that role.”

“It really didn’t matter to me where I played,“Corrales said.“I just wanted to do what’s best for the team. Playing point guard makes me feel like I’m helping my teammates.”

At midseason, Kailua seems poised to make a second consecutive appearance in the state tournament after finishing fifth last year. The team took a 6-2 mark into the weekend and has games against Anuenue at home Wednesday and on the road against Waianae Friday. Both begin around 6:30 p.m.

Since the day last season ended - May 18 with a 47-41 win over Seabury Hall in the fifth-place game at Stan Sheriff Center - Kailua has been focused on a return trip.


“We made a sign that says, ‘Uncle Stan’s, Here We Come,‘“she noted, in reference to the UH arena. “We have all of our goals posted in the gym.We all want to go to states.”

Kailua’s resurgence neatly coincides with Corrales’ arrival. When she made Second Team All-League as a freshman, she helped lead a late-season run that’s kept the team on the plus side of the won-lost ledger. She was a First Team All-Star as a sophomore and junior.

She’s been consistent, tallying 7, 9, 9, 7, 9, 7, 9 and 6 points, respectively, in eight games as well as setting up teammates Zsalei Kamaka and Ashley Jacobs with her skills.

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