Closing the Book: No. 4 Damien (19-16, 6-6 ILH)
> vs. Top 10: 11-16 (.407)
> Top 10 wins: LEI, KLH, TSI, BIRM, MPI, MPI, PUN, STL, STL, MPI, MOA
> Top 10 losses: ARR, TRI, JEF, Damien-CA, Dublin, Liberty, Poly, PUN, KS, STL, MS, KS, MS, MS, MS, KAH
> Non-Top 10 losses:
> Home: 4-3
> Away: 9-5
> Neutral: 6-6
> Playoffs: 2-1
> HHSAA: 2-2
The list of teams that make the jump from Division I to D-II boys basketball and win like Damien is limited, at best.
There was St. Francis, which won the D-II state title twice in a row, moved up to D-I and just missed the state tourney before the school closed its doors. Damien followed a similar path, winning the D-II state crown in 2019, but qualified for D-I's big dance. With three state berths available to the ILH, Damien ousted Saint Louis and Mid-Pacific — both Top 10 teams during the season — to seal the league's final spot.
Then came a 55-51 playoff loss to Maryknoll, which went on to win the state championship. Damien was No. 4 in the state when the state tournament tipped off. The Monarchs won at Lahainaluna, 58-49. Two days later, they ventured into the lion's den at Moanalua and won that quarterfinal, 64-57.
A day later, Damien lost to Maryknoll 57-40. Kahuku edged Damien 50-49 in the third-place game. Kahuku played without center Oscar Cheng. Damien was without point guard Hayden Bayudan.
“It was like, a bittersweet moment. We all put in so much work ever since football ended,” senior guard Jarvis Natividad said. “I was in the gym at 5, 6 a.m. with Jake (Holtz) and Hayden putting up shots. It was sweet knowing we put in work, but it was bitter knowing we didn’t get the outcome we wanted.”
The two seasons, 2018-19 and 2019-20, were so similar, but completely different physically. The '18-19 Monarchs gave Maryknoll one of its two losses en route to the Spartans' first boys basketball state title since '84.
The '19-20 season began without playmaking floor general Jydon "Boogie" Hall, who moved to Georgia to live with his father. Unlike the '18-19 squad that stayed in ILH D-II, Damien's preseason and regular-season run was studded with Top 10 opponents, a slate that included 11 wins over ranked teams. The schedule in the ILH was a constant pounding for each of the seven D-I teams.
With Holtz, at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, 6-7 Bryce Forbes and 6-5 Tino Atonio, the Monarchs withstood the physical punishment fairly well. The backcourt led by Bayudan and defensive stopper Natividad brought constant pressure on each end. The Monarchs were at their best when Forbes used his agility and motor to wreak havoc on the offensive boards, when Atonio was able to hit the occasional 3 and bang in the paint, when Holtz was able to stay out of foul trouble and attack the rim.
When Bayudan missed their last two games of the regular season, Coach Alvin Stephenson relied more heavily on RJ Spencer and Kenneth Mitchell Jr. The Monarchs were back in prime form, though, when Bayudan returned, bringing his aggressive attacks into the paint, creating opportunities for teammates. His mid-range jumpers and floaters were crucial on a team that didn’t have a lot of 3-point efficiency.
The team won’t be quite the same next season with Holtz (Whitworth), Forbes and Natividad (Whitworth football) graduating. But the remain core is promising, more experienced now. The culture has been built by Stephenson and his staff, but even Stephenson may not return. His three children are busy and active, and the coach wants to return, but may step away.
Holtz, who is “retiring” from football to focus on basketball in college, shared some of his thoughts.
This season was ________.
Holtz: “Tough. We had a tough preseason going to California and playing in the ‘Iolani Classic, but I think it’ll help the future of Damien. None of the past Damien teams had these opportunities.”
This season was the movie ________.
Holtz: “Rocky 4. We always had that underdog attitude. We established that in the locker room, at practice, at our workouts.”
Review: Starters and key rotation/role players:
Holtz — He could be a bruiser in the paint, but coming off the wing on a drive, his combination of speed and burst plus size made Holtz a rare combination. He averaged 13 points per game, defending and rebounding among the upper echelon. By season’s end, he had to contend with hip and ankle injuries. Voted No. 8 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15.
Forbes — His length and aggressiveness on defense were big assets, and there were very few 6-7 rebounding machines on the offensive end like Forbes. His perimeter shot improved, and his mid-range game will develop. Voted No. 12 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15.
Bayudan — Workmanlike on both ends, and an essential part of Damien’s attack offensively. When he sat those two games, plenty of drama circled around the Monarchs. His return was huge. Bayudan will be one of the top returnees in the state next season. Voted No. 9 in the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15.
Atonio — His progress since last year was impressive and landed Atonio on the list of most improved players when coaches and media voted. Atonio is also a volleyball player, but his skill set at this height (6-5) is alluring to college recruiters. He ran the point during Bayudan’s absence, and can basically defend at all five positions. He may have the most upside of any player in the state aside from Maryknoll’s 7-footer, Sage Tolentino.
Natividad — An elite receiver on the gridiron, Natividad was more of a lockdown role-playing defensive specialist on the hardwood. He developed a 3-point shot, but was at his best when given the freedom to completely deny an opposing scorer. His feistiness and over-the-line physicality were highly unusual for a guard, but he was completely committed defensively. The kind of player most hate to play against, but love to have on their own team.
Spencer — He became more and more comfortable, and accurate as a junior sharpshooter. His length and basketball IQ made him a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Mitchell — A guard who can attack the rim, hit the 3, defend forwards and guards alike, Mitchell’s youth makes him a highly intriguing hoopster.
Can Damien keep momentum surging forward? St. Francis is no more. Go back many more years, and Academy of the Pacific (AOP) was another shooting star program that had a moment near the top of the ILH. There’s some talk of Hall returning to the islands, if not to Damien, then maybe another private school.
A lineup of Bayudan, Hall, Atonio, Mitchell and Spencer is already Top-4 worthy next season. Like so many questions in this virus lockdown, there are no answers in the near future.
“The future for Damien basketball is in really good hands,” Natividad said. “Only two starting seniors graduate. It’s going to be a solid group. I honestly don’t know anyone (transferring away). We have a tight-knit group and created a bond.”
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