High Hopes for Hoops

The winter sports season is upon us, and Molokai High School (MHS) teams are gearing up for another exciting round of Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) play. So get out your green gear, read up on the basketball teams’ outlooks this season and keep it nearby for when The Dispatch previews paddling, wrestling and swimming next week.

Boys’ Basketball
The MHS boys’ basketball team earned a runner-up finish in the MIL last year – and this season, they want to go even farther.

“Our goals are to win the MIL championship and represent Div. II MIL in the state tournament, and if all goes well, to win the state championship,” said assistant coach Rick Schonely.

The Farmers will be led by the dynamic duo of David Rapanot and Haouli Falealii, the teams’ starting guards this season.

“We expect those two guards to be possibly the best guards in the league, and the best guard tandem in the league,” Schonely said. Senior center Brahunson Kaai and junior forward Paka Adolpho will also provide leadership in starting positions.

The team took part in a tournament on Kauai last weekend, falling 57-26 against University and 71-44 to Kapa`a Varsity, placing fourth overall, and will continue the preseason Dec. 19 to 22 at the Lahaina Invitational tournament on Maui.

Its first regular season games will be Jan. 20 and 21 at St. Anthony on Maui (7 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively). They premiere at the MHS Barn Jan. 27 and 28 when they host league foe Seabury (7 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively).

Girls’ Basketball
Head coach Addie McCreedy steps into her first year as head coach of the girls’ basketball team, taking the reins of a squad that finished as MIL champions and went onto a state tournament appearance last season.

“I want to be able to go in and continue that success,” she said.

The Lady Farmers lost some height to graduation and boast a relatively young team with only two seniors on their 14-player roster. Still, McCreedy said she will depend on veterans like senior point guard Kalyn Kaulia-Makaiwi – a leader by example, she said.

Perhaps most important, though, is improving throughout the season and coming together as a team, McCreedy said.

“It’s a team-building sport and an aggressive sport, and I just want them to get that same team-bonding and being able to utilize [team skills] in the real world. … Whether the outcome be a success or a letdown, go through that as a team,” she said.

The Lady Farmers put up a good fight in front of an enthusiastic home audience, losing 43-17 Friday night and 30-12 Saturday in preseason games against King Kekaulike.
They visit Seabury Jan. 6 and 7 to open MIL play (5:30 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively). Their first regular season home game is Jan. 20 and 21, when they host Lanai at the MHS Barn (7 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively).