No one was happier for Aidan Wong after his standout performance over the weekend than his coach.

Wong, a senior on the Iolani boys' basketball team, scored a career-high 23 points Saturday afternoon to lead the Raiders in a come-from-behind 59-54 overtime win against University Lab in the regular-season opener for both teams.

Wong finished 5-of-13 shooting from the field, including a couple of 3-pointers, but made good on 11 of his 12 attempts from the free-throw line. He also grabbed four rebounds, registered four assists against one turnover and came up with six steals.

"I think obviously the point and the steals and the stats, they speak for itself, but I think just his composure on the court for us was something that really stood out not only for our staff, but the team," Iolani coach Ryan Hirata said of Wong, a third-year starter for the Raiders and a team captain this winter.

The 6-foot, 165-pound Wong was one of three Raiders to play all 36 minutes.

"I get on him all the time about running on the track in the offseason and him doing extra, but his composure to help us will to that win was really, really impressive to our staff and something that we're really, really proud of, especially late in the game when we had to stick in there and give us some hope to send the game into overtime," Hirata said.

As a sophomore two years ago, Wong averaged 7.1 points per game and hit the double-digit point mark four times, including a previous career-high of 20 points in a win over Mid-Pacific. He picked up All-ILH Honorable Mention recognition that season.

Wong received All-Hawaii Honorable Mention in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

"He's very undercover if you have not seen him play before, just slithery with the ball in his hands, a playmaker, almost like a defensive back in football with his ability to anticipate and he's both extremely exciting and stressful to watch all at the same time," Hirata described.

Hirata noted that Wong is primarily a point guard, but can also slide over to shooting guard if need be.

"For us he's the floor general on the offensive end and we rely on him to be kind of the Swiss Army knife in all facets of the game for us. Because of our size, he has to help rebound, he handles the ball for us, he handles defensive assignments on the other team's point guard, which is usually kind of the engine for other teams," Hirata said.

Wong has put in the work over the year to diversify his game, Hirata added. Now in his final year of prep ball, Wong's sweat equity is paying off for him and the Raiders.

"He's been everything that we as a staff could ask for at this point. Obviously we always give him the goal to be as efficient as possible and to make sure that he's making everybody else around him better — that's always been the goal," Hirata said.

That translates to filling multiple roles and being versatile enough to fill numerous duties and responsibilities.

"One night he's going to need to score, other nights he's going to have to dish, other nights he's going to have to take on defensive assignments, but I think him being a senior has really inspired him to play his best basketball and he's a big part of what we do, but he's also had to take on a little bit more of that leadership role and I think he's done a great job of that this year as one of our three seniors," Hirata detailed.

Wong's style of leadership is not necessarily very vocal, but rather through his actions and the work that he puts in.

"His leadership is though his play, by the way that he goes out there. I think the guys know that he's not the most vocal and sometimes he's not the most enthusiastic, but he's kind of like the motor for our team. Guys pick up momentum when they see him make a play that they know he's capable of making, or they see him pick it up on defense and I think the guys follow his lead," Hirata said.

Hirata noted that Wong was voted as one of the team captains by his peers, which might have come as a bit of a surprise to him, but has seemingly empowered Wong to step up his vocal leadership.

"He's gotta more confident speaking up and leading on the court because of the fact that his teammates voted him for captain. I think that gives him confidence and I think that's why he's become a better leader for us this year and he's just really embraced that and matured, I think is the biggest word I would say from his sophomore year to this year. I think it speaks volumes to what the team thinks of him to vote for him as a captain this year," Hirata said.

Wong scored in double figures in at least nine preseason games in November and December, including a string of seven straight games of at least 10 points. He is shooting nearly 84 percent from the free-throw line on the year – which certainly isn't through happenstance.

"He has a mindset of wanting to not only be a better basketball player, but he also wants to have our team succeed and I think his maturity has really helped him grow into who he is as a player, but also as a teammate, especially in those tight moments for us. I think his ability to really want to be a great basketball player to help our team is kind of where I see him making his biggest strides. Basketball for him was kind of like a little hobby – when he came out as a sophomore he was pretty good – now I think with the realization that this is his last year playing with this group of teammates, he's actually loving play the game," Hirata expressed.

Wong has certainly benefitted from being the son of former Iolani basketball player Adam Wong, who was a member of the school's 1994 state championship-winning team and later became an assistant coach for the program.

"I think Adam is really, really proud of the player that Aidan has become over the last three years. Adam gives him pointers obviously and Adam was a super high-driven IQ guy, so I think any pointers Adam gives him can benefit Aidan and I think it's kind of shown this year," Hirata added.

In addition to basketball, Aidan Wong is also an avid surfer and golfer. He was, at one time, a member of the Raiders' surfing team.

Wong has been on the receiving end of some hard coaching from Hirata over the years – at times, seemingly on a daily basis – but has never shied away from the demands of his coach.

"I get on him pretty hard just because for three years I've created this big expectation for him to be that leader and to reach his potential and I've really gotten on him. There's not many times that I go a practice without yelling his name, but that's why I'm just extremely proud that he has become the player that he is and he's getting some recognition because I've been as hard on him as anybody else and that can't be easy, especially because I have such high expectations for him, but he knows that at the end of the day he's got to be consistent for us. One great game is great, but the biggest goal is putting the team in a position to compete in the grueling ILH," Hirata said.

Picking up win No. 1 was an important first step for Hirata's bunch Saturday, especially given that the Jr. ‘Bows were making their debut in the ILH's D1 ranks following a highly-successful run in D2 that culminated with a run to the semifinal round of the state tournament a year ago.

"Any time you can get a win in the ILH it's always a big win and UH Lba is a really, really good team. That was a huge win for us to start the year and I told the team how proud I was of them for sticking together. Iolani basketball is about being selfless, being ready when it's your turn and doing what you can to help the team," Hirata said.

Wong, for one, certainly understands and embraces the school's "One Team" mentality.

"He's not the most vocal, but I do know that he appreciates the team, he really does, whether he says it or not and I think Aidan would say the same thing, that he would not be the player he is today without the team," Hirata noted.

Wong and the Raiders (1-0), who moved up two spots to No. 7 in this week's ScoringLive Power Rankings, visit No. 8 Mid-Pacific Thursday and Kamehameha Saturday before a showdown with top-ranked Saint Louis Tuesday night.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Noah Buford, Kekaulike — Scored 22 points in a loss to Lahainaluna 

Zarek Casio, Maui — Scored 19 points in a loss to Baldwin 

Brayden Colon, Molokai — Scored 23 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Kihei Charter

Bromo Dorn, Seabury Hall — Scored 24 points in a win over Hana and scored 21 points in a win over Hana 

Vander Eberhard, Hawaii Prep — Scored 22 points in a win over Saint Louis II 

Vainuupo Fanuaea, Nanakuli — Scored 20 points in a loss to Aiea 

Roman Gabriel, Mililani — Scored 20 points in a win over Waipahu 

Camren Holt-Ho, Kauai — Scored 22 points in a win over Waimea 

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 19 points in a win over Ayala 

Dylan Kuia, Baldwin — Scored 19 points in a win over Maui 

Sebastian Ledda, Kailua — Scored 12 points with 12 rebounds, two assists, and one block in a win over Moanalua 

Davis Mitchell, Castle — Scored 22 points with nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a win over Kaiser 

Riley Miura, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points with four rebounds and one steal in a loss to Oak Ridge 

Ronin Naihe, Kahuku — Scored 23 points in a win over Kalaheo and scored 26 points, including four 3-pointers, two assists, one rebound, one steal and a block in a win over Kaimuki 

DeMarion Olloway, Kealakehe — Scored 26 points in a loss to Kohala 

Josiah Shinbara, Castle — Scored 26 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Kalani 

Lucas Summerhayes, Island School — Scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Kapaa 

Royden Tabiolo, Kohala — Scored 24 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Kealakehe 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 22 points in a win over Kealakehe 

Emmanuel Tiritas, Kaiser — Scored 24 points in a loss to Castle 

BOYS SOCCER

Zekiel Balmoja, Waialua — Scored four goals and assisted on two others in a win over Nanakuli 

Hoopono Bautista, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua 

Koa Close, Kalani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kailua 

Maceo Cohen, Waialua — Scored four goals and assisted on two others in a win over Nanakuli 

Eli Fujioka-Silva, McKinley — Scored the lone goal in a win over Farrington 

Kilika Hasegawa, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea 

Riley Hayashi, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Elijah Hayes, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki 

William Henderson, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa 

Elijah Hernandez, Castle — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Kaimuki 

Justin Katayama, Castle — Scored two goals and assisted on two others in a win over McKinley 

Elijah Kuni, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Radford 

Manoa Monteiro, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Brody Person, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Kahuku 

Cody Seabert, Waipahu — Scored the lone goal in a win over Leilehua 

Damon Turcios, Castle — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Kaimuki 

Joshua Yadao, Campbell — Scored three goals in a win over Aiea 

Ethan Yang, Kaiser — Scored a goal and assisted on two others in a win over Roosevelt 

It doesn't take long for Pua Herrington to make her presence known on the hardwood. 

Herrington, a junior on the Marknoll girls' basketball team, is off to a prolific start to her first season with the Spartans. The 5-foot-10 shooting guard, who transferred from Waiakea over the summer, is averaging a state-best 25.2 points per game this winter.

Maryknoll coach Chico Furtado, who has more than 40 years of coaching experience at the prep ranks, describes Herrington as a rare breed of baller. 

"She's kind of deceiving because she's slender, she doesn't look like the strongest player physically and she's long, but she's more athletic than you think just looking at her," said Furtado, who enjoyed a long and successful run at Kalaheo prior to taking over at Maryknoll in 2010. 

Furtado has coached his share of standout players of the year, but none more memorable than former three-time state player of the year Brandy Richardson, who followed up an outstanding prep career at Kalaheo with a productive collegiate career for UC Santa Barbara. 

"When you come to watch Pua play, just like when I was coaching Brandy Richardson years ago, you know something is different about that girl besides the body. Pua is very long, but just has an uncanny ability to score and I'm talking all levels: getting to the rim, mid-range and shooting the 3," Furtado said. 

Herrington's success hasn't come without hard work. Growing up in the basketball-rich community of Hilo, Herrington spent much of her time over the years in the gym putting up hundreds of shots day after day. 

"She eats, sleeps and breathes basketball," Furtado said. 

As a result, Herrington has a deep chest of tools at her disposal and the statistics to back it up. She averaged nearly 16 points per game as a freshman for a Waiakea team that nearly upset juggernaut Konawaena in the BIIF regular season before a sixth-place finish at the Division I state tournament later that year. Herrington was named to the All-BIIF First Team and was a Third Team All-Hawaii selection. 

She followed that up with a sophomore season that saw her average 18 points per game and earn First Team All-Hawaii honors. Herrington helped the Warriors return to the state tournament a year ago before she made the move to Oahu to attend Maryknoll. 

Furtado first saw Herrington play two years ago when his Spartans faced Waiakea in a preseason tournament at Kamehameha. 

"I didn't know who Pua was until then," Furtado noted, "but she's played with several of our players in various club play as far back as eighth grade, from what I understanding, so last year I saw some of that and I was like, ‘wow.' "

Furtado was impressed to say the least with what he saw. 

"Just a multitude of skills, none of which I taught her," Furtado chuckled. "That girl's been playing basketball for a while and you can tell just by how she plays that this girl is a girl who has been working on her game for years."

It's not just her skillset on the basketball court that has made Herrington a welcomed addition to the Maryknoll program, which is coming off of a dominant run to the Division II state championship a year ago. 

"She's a good student and a great kid and because of her personality she gets along well with everybody. She's not needy, she's not into individual accolades, she just likes playing basketball and is kind of a happy-go-lucky kid, but she has a quiet intensity about her. She's not real heavy on the ‘rah-rah' stuff, but she definitely has an intensity for the game and we're fortunate to have her," Furtado said. 

Furtado didn't mince his words about the impact that Herrington's transfer made on his team's decision to return to the D1 ranks after a 12-0 league mark in D2 and a 24-3 overall record last season.

"I think she obviously, for our program, was the difference from D1 and D2. If she doesn't come, we don't play D1," Furtado stated. "We just don't have enough and even with her we're going to compete, but it's going to be a grind and I think our players understand that."

Herrington and her new teammates were certainly eager to embrace the challenges of competing night in and night out against some of the state's best teams in the talent-rich ILH.

"When Pua came over we sat down with her and a couple of our senior captains and I asked them point blank, ‘What do you guys want to do? We can stay in D2, play a D1 preseason then go into the regular season, beat everyone and win states, or we can go into the toughest league in the state and compete,' and there was no hesitation on their part that that's what they want to do," Furtado said. 

Herrington opened the preseason against a familiar foe in Konawaena at the McKinley Black and Gold tournament. Although her Maryknoll squad lost to the Wildcats, 64-39, Herrington tallied a game-high 24 points to go along with eight rebounds and one steal. She then went on to score 26 points in a win over Campbell the following day and 28 points in a rout of Kalani two days later. 

Over three games at the I Mua Invitational at Kamehameha in late November, Herrington averaged 25.3 points, including a season-high 33-point effort in a win over Maui High. She also amassed 28 points in a 16-point win over OIA-favorite Kahuku on the final day of the tourney. 

Despite the gaudy statistics, Herrington is finding that the opposition in the ILH will be keying on her going forward. Still, she managed point totals of 17, 19, 25 and 19 in Maryknoll's first four league games. The Spartans, however, went 2-2 in those contests. 

"Obviously the numbers are great. She's scoring at a high clip and we're being competitive, but we didn't think going into D1 with Pua that she would automatically make us the favorite because Iolani, Punahou and Kamehameha are all great teams and for her, we've just been preparing her for what to expect when you play those teams, but to be averaging 20-plus against defenses that are designed to primarily stop her shows just how much of an all-level scorer she is," Furtado said. 

In addition to her offensive prowess, Herrington is also a more-than-capable on the defensive end of the floor. 

"Because of her length and her footwork, people will have difficulty getting shots off and the good thing is that she's very coachable. She's very willing to listen to all that and she understands the need for that, so she's not just an offensive player who's not going to do anything on defense," Furtado said. 

Ultimately, however, Furtado acknowledged that while Herrington's production has been a boon for the Spartans, their supporting pieces will have to help alleviate some of the expectations on her shoulders. 

"Our success is gonna come from obviously her being a major contributor, but also our role guys making plays. They've got to make plays, they've got to make shots, they've got to grab a rebound, they've got to defend and Pua's learning when to take over as a scorer and when to be a facilitator, but it's a long season and we're just trying to get better, trying to stay healthy and trying to figure out the murky waters of the ILH, where there's no rest for the weary," Furtado said. 

Herrington recorded 19 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a 41-36 loss to Iolani Monday night. She and the Spartans (2-2), who are ranked third in this week's ScoringLive Power Rankings, will kickoff a stretch of five games in nine days when they visit top-ranked Kamehameha Tuesday. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Bryia Carenio, Waiakea — Scored 20 points in a win over Keaau 

Loryn-Rose Carvalho, Kohala — Scored 16 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Kate-Lynn Colipano, Kekaulike — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Lahainaluna 

Jazlyn Corpuz, Kauai — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kapaa 

Cristazia Joy Cristobal, Damien — Scored 17 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Destiny Dupree, Lanai — Scored 20 points in a win over Maui Prep and scored 40 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Kacie Febo-Santiago, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 23 points in a loss to Kohala 

Anuhea Ferreira, Hilo — Scored 19 points in a loss to Pahoa 

Miyah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 19 points in a win over Castle 

Myah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 21 points in a win over Castle 

Kukui Kalalau, Hana — Scored 16 points in a win over Seabury Hall 

Ellana Klemp, Hanalani — Scored 16 points in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Brooke Kurasaki, Mililani — Scored 16 points in a win over Aiea and scored 17 points in a win over Kapolei

Sophia Moniz, Pahoa — Scored 17 points in a win over Hilo 

Malia Morioka, Punahou II — Scored 18 points in a win over University Lab 

Zennalenn Nelson, Mililani — Scored 16 points in a win over Aiea 

Brielle Nueku, Damien — Scored 16 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Leila Paraoan, Kapolei — Scored 23 points in a win over Pearl City 

Makelah Richardson, Roosevelt — Scored 18 points in a win over McKinley 

Taira Samiano, Kapaa — Scored 20 points in a win over Kauai 

Kailea Sokau Masulit, Island School — Scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in a win over Kauai 

Adriana Jayne Soriano, Kohala — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Myla Suapaia, University Lab — Scored 16 points in a loss to Punahou II

GIRLS SOCCER

Ciana Alina Aburto, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Autumn Apana-Purcell, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea 

Keira Caoagas, Kauai — Scored two goals in a win over Island School 

Janelle DeCastro, Farrington — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley 

Chiara Doyle, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Kailua 

Janeane Fonoimoana, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kailua 

Thalia Garcia, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea 

Zairae Gauer, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Kahalia Huddleston, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa 

Kailea Itamura, Waimea — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapaa 

Hailey Jerves, Mid-Pacific — Scored a goal and assisted on another in a tie with Punahou II 

Rory Matsumoto-Hussey, Kaiser — Scored the lone goal in a win over Moanalua 

Madisyn Meyers, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored four goals in a win over Honokaa 

Jadyn Miller, Waialua — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Meilani Navarro, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea 

Leah Nishibun, PAC-5 — Scored three goals in a win over Damien 

Maci Rivera, Leilehua — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Kilinahe Schenk, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington 

Uilani Shimabukuro, Castle — Scored five goals and assisted on three others in a win over McKinley 

Madison Yoshimura, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Amelie Zeitz, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha 

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