Stacy Kaneshiro | ScoringLive
December 23, 2024, 11:09pm
EWA BEACH — This wasn't a typical Oahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball season opener Monday night
Campbelll's record-setting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele made his basketball season debut and celebrated his senior farewell after host Campbell's 57-43 win against Waipahu. Richard Windsor led with a game-high 23 points for the Sabers (1-0). Alfred Pascual and Kyan Uganiza each had 9 points for the Marauders (0-1).
Sagapolutele, a 6-foot-4 post, came off the bench ran recorded four rebounds, but no scores in about 8 minutes of play. It was a night of adventure - he drew a technical foul - and received the loudest cheers whenever he entered the game or grabbed his rebounds. He made a slam dunk for his farewell act after the game. It was his last game in a Sabers uniform, as he leaves Thursday for the University of Oregon, where he signed his letter of intent several week ago. He will enroll at OU in the spring and will join the Ducks in next week's Rose Bowl.
"They want me to be with them when they practice for the Rose Bowl," Sagapolutle said. "That should be a great experience. It's great feeliing. I get to see the best of the best play and it's something I've always dreamed of and I'm just excited to see them play and watch from the sidelines."
He won't be gone long, though. He will return home of the Jan. 17 Polynesian Bowl at Kamehameha-Kapalama's Kunuiakea Stadium. He then returns to OU, but said he will return home for Campbell's Class of 2025 graduation in May.
As for his basketball debut, he said, "it felt good to play with these guys for one last time. I played JV basketball with a lot of them so it was pretty exciting."
Sagapolutele said he was not sure why he got the technical on a play where there was some contact. Campbell coach Wyatt Tau said he thinks it was because Sagapolutele - the tallest on the court - made a big-body gesture. But no incidents occurred.
Also, joining Sagapolutele from the football team was offensive linemn Jordan Kernaghan, who signed with Hawaii for football. Kernaghan scored seven points off the bench.
He moves into his apartment Jan. 4 and starts classes Jan. 6.