About HBA

The HBA boys varsity basketball team had a great four-day run through the 2008 HHSAA Division II State Basketball Tournament last week that culminated with a loss in the third place game to McKinley HS 41-38.  The DII fifth place, third place and championship games were all played at historic Neal Blaisdell Center Arena, once the home of all major basketball events including the University of Hawaii's Rainbow Classic.  The NBC is now home to the Hawaii Pacific University basketball teams.

HBA's fourth place finish was its highest ever and was particularly significant since the team lost eight players to graduation last year and welcomed nine new players this year.

The team entered the tou rney unseeded, but defeated St. Joseph in the opening round 63-40, then defeated 4th seed Moloka'i 64-49.  They then lost to undefeated 1st seed Aiea 69-55 in a semi-final game that was much more competitive than the final score indicates.  After trailing 12-0 to open the game, HBA went on an 11-3 run of its own, eventually battling back to gain one-point leads on several occasions in the second half.  However, the Eagles just couldn't match the Na Alii's final run.  All three games were played at Moanalua HS and a large contingent of HBA fans turned out for the semi-final game.

Congratulations once again to the team for a job well done and to head coach Keith Sugiura (HBA '90) and assistant coaches Jared Gandia (HBA '04) and Brandon Arquero (HBA '05).  Girls head coach Reid Takatsuka (HBA '83) also provided help throughout the tourney.