Lunas ranked second in prep hoops poll

By Fred Guzman

MauiNow.com

Never, as far as anyone can recall, have two teams from the Neighbor Islands been ranked 1-2 in a high school prep poll in any sport. But that’s currently the case in girls’ basketball, with Konawaena and Lahainaluna sitting atop the latest rankings as compiled by the Star-Bulletin.

And the Neighbor Island presence doesn’t stop there. Unbeaten Waiakea of the Big Island is ranked sixth and Molokai, the defending state Division-II champion, is No. 10.

Konawaena is 14-1, it’s only setback coming against a mainland school in an early-season tournament. The Lunas’ two setbacks have come against Konawaena by single-digit margins.

The Lady Lunas maintained their winning ways earlier this week with a 73-50 road win over King Kekaulike as Milika Taufa scored 22 points while the boys defeated Na Alii 55-35 as Lukas Wallace scored 18.

WAC ALL-DECADE: Quarterback Colt Brennan heads a group of nine former UH football stars who were named to the WAC’s All-Decade Team. More than 1,500 participated in the on-line voting for players who had been on at least two all-WAC teams between 2000 and 2009.

Former Boise State offensive lineman Ryan Clady was the top vote-getter after being named to 1,007 ballots. Boise State’s Ian Johnson and TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson were named the top running backs. The other UH players selected were receivers Ashley Lelie and Davone Bess, offensive linemen Samson Satele and John Estes, linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Pisa Tinoisamoa, defensive lineman Travis LaBoy, and punter Mat McBriar.

Meantime, the Rainbow Wahine’s dominance of the WAC was reflected in a sweep of all six spots on the All-Decade volleyball team. Kim Willoughby led the balloting, narrowly beating out Kanoe Kamanao. Also named were Aneli Cubi-Otinero, Kanani Danielson, Jaime Houston and Lily Kahumoku.