The goal, of course, is to win.
But victories have been short supply for Hawaii Prep’s girls basketball program of late.
Still, coach Craig Kimura and assistant Kevin Ho keep coming back, season after season, for 19 years running now.
“We enjoy teaching the game and working with girls who want to learn,” Kimura said. “The No. 1 thing with this group is their attitude. They are a pleasure to work with.”
And about that winning part – Kimura’s confident this will be the season HPA can grab at least one in BIIF play thanks in large part to four returnees: seniors Coco Shafer, Kiela Wise and Emma Saito, and junior Mikaela Chong.
“We went to Oahu and played three (preseason) games,” Kimura said. “We didn’t win but we played OK. We’re getting there.”
The preseason continues Thursday against Kohala at Ka Makani Girls Basketball Tip-Off Classic. The BIIF rivals will share Castle Gym in Waimea with McKinley of the OIA and University of the ILH in a tournament that runs through Saturday.
His program’s last BIIF Division II title came in 2007, but Ka Makani were a mainstay at the HHSAA tournament through 2012. Starting in 2013, reloading yielded to rebuilding and eventually a “total rebuild,” but this year’s Ka Makani feature more experience than many of their predecessors.
By BIIF standards, HPA has impressive height, led by the 6-foot-1 Shafer, a center, and the 5-9 Wise, a forward/guard. The 5-6 Chong in versatile as well, and Saito is a 5-3 guard.
Ka Makani’s last BIIF victory came during Shafer’s freshman year.
“Coco is a four-year player and has come along way,” Kimura said. “They all have.”
Win or lose this season, he doesn’t sound like he’s done yet, saying more help is on the way from the middle school ranks.
“Hopefully they can help us when (this group) leaves,” Kimura said.
Ka Makani Girls Basketball Tip-Off Classic
Thursday
McKinley vs. University, 5 p.m.
Hawaii Prep vs Kohala, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Kohala vs. McKinley, 5 p.m.
University vs. Hawaii Prep, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
JV, HPA vs. Kohala, 11:30 a.m.
Kohala vs. University, 1 p.m.
Hawaii Prep vs. McKinley, 3 p.m.
