The Aiea boys basketball team ended its season on February 9 with a loss to Kaimuki in the first round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoff. The road in the OIA was rugged for Aiea this year. The team finished 3-10 in league games, but coach Isaac Avilla has a host of excellent all-around players returning for the 2010-2011 season namely Chucky Kaahunui, Freddy Taliulu and Colin Naito.

Despite losing the services of seniors Kory Naeole, Api Foumai and Braxton Fukutomi, the coaching staff of Aiea believes they have a close knit team who is capable of rebounding to the top of the league standings.  Other key players returning for Aiea are Ilalio Sio, Phillip Madriaga, Dylan Dobson and Keano Kuia.

“To the fans of the OIA we would like them to let them know that we are a team that practices hard day in and day out.  We will be playing the game to our fullest potential and look forward to competing with the best in the OIA,” said Avilla.

Aiea has reason to be optimistic. Kaahunui is a player who has displayed great growth over this past season. In the final game, the junior scored 19 points and led an offense that is seeking to evolve into a potent up tempo motion team.

Avilla says his squad will continuously work on transition scoring, working for high percentage shots and its pressuring defense in preparation for next season. “Our goal is to be in the game until the end and look at taking advantage of any opportunity,” Avilla said.

Avilla feels the OIA is a tough league with a lot of quality teams. “Every team plays hard on defense and each team is well-coached,” he said.