Windward Midseason Prospects

With the first half of OIA boys basketball’s regular season in the books, Windward Islander looks at the prospects for Castle, Kahuku, Kalaheo and Kailua at mid-season.

Castle Record to Date: 2-4

Over Kalani (50-49) Jan. 7

Must-See Game Remaining: Versus Kahuku at home Feb. 6

Outlook at Midseason: Division II Knights still have much work to be done to secure a playoff berth for the upcoming OIA White Conference Tournament. The outcome of last weekend’s game with fellow DII Kaimuki and Tuesday’s game with defending OIA White champion Kaiser were to figure big in the Knights’ chances, as they were to begin a tough stretch in their slate Thursday when they will play three straight — versus Moanalua (at home Jan. 29), at Farrington (Feb. 4) and Kahuku (at home Feb. 6) — against Division I teams to close out their regular season. David Benevedes (14.0 points per game; third in the OIA White), KJ Ng (12.2) and Jeremy McGoldrick (9.6) have come up big for the Knights so far in 2015.

Kahuku

Record to Date: 5-1

Signature Wins: Over Farrington (55-39) Jan. 3; Moanalua (56-44) on the road Jan. 21

Must-See Game Remaining: Versus Kaiser at home Jan. 4

Outlook at Midseason:

No team in the East had a more demanding schedule out of the gate than Kahuku, which opened 2015 with games against Farrington and Kalaheo. In splitting both games, the Red Raiders quickly established themselves as a major player in the league race this year, and had won three in a row since their lone loss to Kalaheo, leaving them only a game back of the Mustangs in the standings.

The Red Raiders, who visit Kaimuki for a road game Thursday (7 p.m.), are in the mix for one of the East’s top two seeds for the upcoming OIA Conference Tournament, which also would include a first-round bye.

Kailua

Record to Date: 4-2

Signature Win: Over Castle (60-54) Jan. 17

Must-See Game Remaining: At Kaiser Feb. 6

Outlook at Midseason:

Following back-to-back losses to Moanalua and Farrington to begin their East slate, the Surfriders rebounded with a trio of impressive victories against McKinley (58-52), Roosevelt (35-33) and neighborhood rival Castle (60-54) to run their record to 3-2 at mid-season.

As the Surfriders are in Division I, their playoff hopes will hinge on the outcome of their games against fellow DI’s. With that in mind, Kailua’s chances are dependent on the outcome of its game against Kahuku over the weekend and the Surfriders’ contest with Kalaheo Tuesday, since both also are in DI. Kailua’s last three regular-season games are all against Division II teams, Kalani (away Thursday), Kaimuki (Feb. 4) and Kaiser (away Feb. 6).

Kalaheo

Record to Date: 6-0

Signature Wins: Over Kahuku (62-56) Jan. 7; Farrington (52-38) Jan. 21

Must-See Game Remaining: Versus Moanalua at home Feb. 6

Outlook at Midseason:

For all the star power Kalaheo features in Kupaa Harrison and Kaleb Gilmore, it may be the Mustangs’ depth that is keeping them a step ahead of the rest of the league, as the supporting cast (Kekai Smith, Jalen Smith, Zach Marrotte and Alec MacLeod) also have delivered big so far. The Mustangs are holding opponents to an average of just 41.6 points per outing. The Mustangs host Anuenue Thursday (7 p.m.) before closing out their East slate with a pair of key games against Roosevelt (away Feb. 4) and Moanalua (home Feb. 6). jackster.1969@yahoo.com