New Head Coach Likes What He Sees In Castle Knights

Wednesday - December 24, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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One in a series of prep basketball previews.

Castle seniors (from left) Isaiah Tilton, K.J. Aipia, Brent Roberts, Nick Tuamoheloa, assistant coach David Parker, Michael Santos and Russell Ige. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Coaching changes often lead to a transition year, but that should-n’t happen at Castle, where long-time assistant and former head junior varsity coach Jeff Hiro takes over for Rocky Fraticelli, who is the acting athletic director at the school. When Hiro talks about transition, he means the kind that takes place between the free throw lines on a basketball floor.

“We’d like to go in transition as much as possible. We’re going to push it (the ball) a high percentage of the time and utilize our quickness if given the opportunity. I like the overall quickness of our team.”


The Knights also boast their share of experience with four starters back in the fold from last year when Castle finished 3-9 in the OIA’s Red East conference. Senior co-captains Michael Santos and K. J.Aipia have led the way early on this preseason, helping the team to wins over Kamehameha II and Leilehua against a loss to Mililani, heading into last weekend.

Aipia is a stellar athlete who is coming off a football season that saw him earn First Team All-Conference honors (see related story). He’ll man the post to help balance out what should be a productive back court.

“K.J. brings a lot of intensity to the team,“Hiro said.“His work ethic is always 100 percent - he always goes at a high speed, and his teammates follow him.”

Santos returns to the point guard spot, meanwhile, after a solid junior season. “He runs our offense, and he’s a great penetrator. When he does go to the basket, he finishes strong, and he’s quick off of the dribble.”

Guards Nick Tuamoheloa and Isaiah Tilton also are entering their second season as starters, having cracked the lineup as juniors.

“Nick is our only three-year varsity player,“Hiro said.“He’s an excellent shooter, and he’s shifty. Isaiah also is an excellent shooter, and he has a lot of mental toughness. He accepts big challenges and never shies away from anything.”

Castle’s next challenge comes this weekend at the Merv Lopes Classic at King Armory in Kaneohe. The team is guaranteed of playing at least three games, beginning Friday night against Campbell Hall High School at 8:30 p.m.Located in North Hollywood, Campbell Hall is one of the premier programs in its region and features 6-foot-6 Keegan Hornbuckle, currently rated as the No. 34 small forward/shooting guard in the country by the recruiting service Scout.com. He led Campbell Hall, which is currently ranked 10th by the Los Angeles Times, to a 31-5 record as a junior in 2007 and recently committed to Colorado. Keegan is the seventh Campbell Hall player in the last four years to earn a scholarship from a Division I program.

The tournament, which continues Saturday and Monday, also will feature Kalaheo, Kahuku, Mid-Pacific, Roosevelt, Farrington, Kamehameha-Big Island, Kamehameha-Oahu, Punahou, Mililani, Hilo, Wasilla (Alaska) and De La Salle of Concord, Calif.

“It’s a good opportunity to play in a tournament with quality teams from the outer islands and the Mainland,“said Hiro, who is assisted by longtime fellow Castle coach Dave Parker.“It’s good exposure for our program, and it’s a privilege to be in it.”


Although the Knights won two of their first three preseason games, Hiro put more stock in their level of play than in the game outcomes. “Right now, we’re not where we should be as we head into the Merv Lopes classic,” said Hiro. “The big thing is our inconsistency, offensively and defensively.We have too many breakdowns. At times we look good, and at other times, ‘wow!’

“At times, our decision-making is not great for being experienced,” he added.“We still have some strides to gain, but it’s promising, and I’m sure we’ll get there.”

Castle’s opponents for Saturday and Monday will be determined by Friday’s results. The Knights’ OIA opener is set for Jan. 2 at home against Thompson Academy.

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