The shock of the ‘Iolani Classic cancellation due to uncertainty caused by COVID-19 is still in the basketball soul of fans.
There was simply no way to know what December would have looked like across the country and globe. But imagine what the Classic would have been in the boys tourney:
> Paul VI (Fairfax, Vir.), 27-8, VISAA Division I state champion. Ranked in the ESPN Top 25.
> Yates (Texas), 26-3.
> Windward (Los Angeles), 28-8
> Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 26-6
> Lake Oswego (Ore.), 18-8
> West Linn (Ore.), 17-9
The local offerings weren't too shabby, either.
> Maryknoll, 31-4, two-time defending state champion
> Kalaheo, 21-11, ranked No. 6 in final Top 10
> Leilehua, 18-6, No. 7
> Punahou, 18-11, No. 9
> Kailua, 19-7
> Baldwin, 14-9, MIL champion
> Iolani (4-21)
The girls tournament was also stacked with two teams that ranked nationally last season.
> Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)., 29-2, 4A state champion. Ranked No. 16 by MaxPreps.
> Windward (Los Angeles), 27-6, three-time Open Division state champion (2017-19), lost to La Jolla Country Day in state final. Ranked No. 18 nationally by MaxPreps, and as high as No. 8.
> Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), 23-7, NorCal Division I champion.
Host ‘Iolani is coming off back-to-back state championships in Hawaii and returns nearly its entire roster, including All-State player of the year Lily Wahinekapu, All-State wing Jovi Lefotu (No. 4 in the Fab 15) and All-State guard Alexis "Jo" Huntimer (No. 5 Fab 15).
Other girls teams that had been invited include Naha (Okinawa), a team that was very impressive in the Classic a few years ago, Maryknoll, Lahainaluna and Mid-Pacific.
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