By Risa Askerooth

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With an undefeated season record of 23-0, MHS’ JV boys basketball team topped off the year by scoring a final win against Kahuku High School, 47-38, at the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) championships on Feb. 6 at MHS. Already holding an OIA title from last year against Moanalua High School, their back-to-back OIA victories marked the first time a JV boys basketball team has swept OIAs for two consecutive years since 1987 and 1988.

“I was super excited and happy because then we won last year, so it’s the first time in a long time that JV repeated OIA championships so I’m pretty sure that everyone felt great like I did,” said Small Forward and Power Forward Sophomore Kamal Freeman.

Although the first half of the game ended with Mililani down 17-22, they gained a lead in the second half through a strong defense. “The third quarter, we held them to five points and that was kind of the difference right there,” stated Head Coach Jason Tittle, “We clamped down on defense on them. And then from there, we just pretty much rolled that the rest of the way and won the game.” Their lead increased during the fourth quarter when Mililani was able to make multiple free throws. Freeman said, “They got past seven fouls, then we started shooting free throws every time they fouled us and then every time we made our free throws they couldn’t score because we played defense.”

With last year’s OIA title and a previous season record of 18-3 under their belt, the team was determined to keep their momentum this year. “The week before our championship game we were all just focused. We weren’t even making jokes during practice or anything, we just focused the whole time. Focusing on the game, focusing on the key players that we need to guard, just pretty much the basics, keep it simple,” explained Shooting Guard and Small Forward Sophomore Andrew Pierson.

The motivation of their coaches and frequent practices helped players to perform their best on the court. Practices involved running to help with stamina and defensive drills, as well as a run-through of plays closer to game day to ensure that all players were well prepared. “The coaches and practice worked us hard so that winning the game, we weren’t as tired so we could do whatever we felt was needed. And then we ended up (not having) that much of a struggle during the season,” said Freeman.

Teamwork was also a large factor in their victory as the team bonded and developed their communication. “One improvement that stood out for me was how they communicated on the court. As the season went on, they could tell each other what was going on, what the other team was going to do and adjust to it on their own,” said Tittle. “We’re just pretty much like a family. Like before the game we would always chant, ‘family,’” stated Pierson.

With an OIA record that hasn’t been broken in two decades, the JV boys basketball team is already looking towards next year and the possibility of a third consecutive win at OIAs.