Iolani's Zachary Buscher, Chris Gallacher and Hugh Hogland converge as Campbell's Michael Merchant puts up a shot. Melissa Ing | SL

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The ‘Iolani Raiders are riding a remarkable run, one that has taken them to their first state title game since 2011. Instead of letting a heartbreaking loss to Maryknoll derail their season, the Raiders have come back stronger than ever. 

“We’ve been playing well these past two weeks,” said ‘Iolani guard Zach Buscher. “After that Maryknoll loss, we’ve beaten Punahou twice, Maryknoll twice. Coming into the state tournament we just want to keep that rolling. We’re playing well right now (and) that’s what it’s all about – peaking at the end of the season, going into the tournament, giving yourself a chance to win. That’s what we’re doing right now.”

Their strong play in recent years has earned the Raiders the top seed in the Hawaiian Airlines/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Basketball Championships, as well as the No. 1 ranking for the first time in the ScoringLive/OC16 Boys Basketball Power Rankings. It’s been a season long process that is coming to fruition all at the right time.

“As every coach would tell you, the rankings at the end of the season are the only one that counts,” said ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto. “All at the same time, we knew where we were at and what we were capable off. (During the season) I don’t think we were No. 1, I don’t think we were No. 2, but over the course of the season, I thought we got better. We are where we are now. We got an opportunity to play for the state championship tomorrow.”

Trial through fire

Losing is never fun – but for Shimamoto and the Raiders, it’s an opportunity to learn something.

After starting the season 3-0, the Raiders suffered their first setback against Maryknoll, 69-60. ‘Iolani held a 12-8 lead at the start of the second quarter, but loss it trying to match the Spartans frenetic offense. 

“The first time we played Maryknoll we tried to go up and down with them,” said Shimamoto. “(We learned) to make sure that we get back (on defense), make sure we played at our tempo rather than the other team’s tempo.” 

‘Iolani got back into the win column with wins over Punahou and Saint Louis, before falling to Kamehameha on the road. The Raiders blew a 19-6 halftime lead in that game, one that was taken to overtime on a Jaycob Smith half court heave.

Two games later, the Raiders lose a heart breaker to Maryknoll, 39-37. The Raiders actually had a chance to win the game on one last shot. However, there was a miscue that led to a turnover and a buzzer-beating layup for the win. 

“We learned a lot from those games,” said Buscher. “We learned we got to show up everyday, no matter who we play. Every team that we’re playing now is here for a reason.

“We also learned that we got to finish quarters and finish games strong. In those games, we didn’t really finish well. That Maryknoll game, we gave up a steal at the end of the game for the loss. (The) Kamehameha game we just never got back on D, gave them a half court shot. We weren’t playing with much energy (in those games). We learned a lot from those losses.”

Six-time National Basketball Association champ Michael Jordan once said, “To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.” That quote is something the Raiders can take as motivation in their final game of the season.

“Everytime we’ve encountered a different situation or a loss, we’ve been able to learn from it,” said Shimamoto. “I think what we’re showing now is a product of all the wins, all the losses, all the practices and all of the learning.”

One team mentality 

‘Iolani has a motto known as “One Team.” Over the course of the season, the Raiders have been able to exemplify just exactly what that means. When guys went down with an injury, other guys have stepped up when given the opportunity.

“That’s our motto, ‘one team,’ guys got to be ready to go,” said Shimamoto. “We had some injuries in the middle of the season, (and) some guys who maybe would not have gotten that many minute got some minutes, and got some experience along with it. When it comes time at the end of the season, it’s not new to them; they’re ready.  It’s good to see them contributing and making a difference for our team.”

Injuries to Kamu Borden and Pikai Winchester have allowed guys like Hugh Hogland to really come into his own. Hogland, a freshman center, has really come along lately, having registered a resounding seven blocked shots against Campbell in the state tournament’s semifinal round.

“Leaps and bounds,” Shimamoto said on Hogland. “Our big man coach Cord Anderson does a great job with him. Hugh himself works really hard. He goes through his own ups and downs but he sticks with it. He’s much more resilient now than he was earlier in the season; you’re seeing the end result of that.” 

Speaking of opportunity, one guy who has really turned up this game this year is senior forward Ikaika Phillip. After being relatively unknown for much of last year, Phillip has blossomed into arguably the best player on this year’s Raiders team. His previous scoring average of 6.2 points per game has ballooned up to 14.3 points per game this season. He should also be a lock for any award titled “Most Improved.”

“He’s always been there, he just didn’t get the opportunity,” Shimamoto said on Phillip. “Last year he struggled more on defense than he is this year. He really, really worked hard on his defense, his lateral movement, his awareness; that kept him on the floor. He worked really hard in the offseason, getting stronger, improving his skills (and) improving his shot. I think what you see this year is a combination of opportunity and a lot of hard work.”

Now everyone is back and the Raiders could never be more ready. All that’s left now is one game against the Farrington Governors for all the marbles. No. 1 seed versus No. 2 seed. Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion versus Oahu Interscholastic Association champion. Only time will tell if the Raiders have enough momentum to carry them to victory.

“We’re real close,” said Buscher. “Just throughout the season we’ve been getting closer and closer. We’re coming together, got one more game to go. It’s the last game of the season, the last game of my career. Everyone’s back and everybody should be playing tomorrow; we’re confident in everyone (and) we’re going to leave it all out (on the court) tomorrow.”