HONOLULU—On Saturday December 10, 2016, ILWU held its 36th Annual State Basketball Tournament at Kaimuki Community Park Gym. Players, anxious to get started, practiced on the outside courts while they waited for the gym to open.

First Semi-Final Game:
 Maui “Kaanapali Mixed Plate” vs. Oahu’s McCabe 
At the Oahu playoffs in November, McCabe defeated Pepsi to represent Oahu at the state tournament. Maui’s Kaanapali Mixed Plate (made up of members from Andaz, Westin, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, and Hotel Wailea) beat HC&S to represent Maui. The game could have gone either way at some points, but Maui ended up winning at 47 to 38. Kaipo Bee, McCabe’s coach said, “We thought we coulda won, but it’s ok. We’ll be back next year.” Jansen Agapay was Maui’s high scorer with 25 points, and McCabe’s was Pio Pelesasa, who contributed 15 points.

Second Semi-Final Game: 
Kauai vs. Big Island’s “Da Crew” 
The Big Island’s Da Crew (made up of members from Waikoloa Village Golf Course, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Fairmont Orchid) beat Kauai at 66 to 26. Kauai’s Bryon Ponte scored the highest for his team at 7 points and Big Island’s Cameron Naihe-Tabiolo scored his team’s high at 18.

Consolation Game: 
Kauai vs. McCabe 
Kauai sent each other better passes than they did when they faced the Big Island. McCabe won, but Kauai gave them a run for their money at some thrilling moments. McCabe’s high scorer in this game was Kaipo Sarkissan who contributed 12 points to their 54 to 38 victory over Kauai.

Thrilling Final Game: 
Big Island vs. Maui 36-35 
“That rim is unforgiving,” Maui’s Michael Tofanelli told me while on the sidelines. Maui played valiantly, but sent too many shots that hit the rim with a defiant wobble, and lost precious opportunities to gain a more solid lead against the Big Island. Maui held a slight lead throughout most of the game against Da Crew’s hustle.

Then, in a satisfying climactic movielike moment, Big Island won at the buzzer. It looked like Maui’s game as the clock ticked down, but Big Island high scorer Cameron Naihe-Tabiolo sank a three pointer to win the game by one point.

“You practice that shot every day. You never think it’ll happen,” Tabiolo said in shock.

“That’s always a 50/50 shot, and he took it. It’s fair,” said Maui team captain Junne Arcilla.

“Send this to ESPN game highlights tonight! Send ‘em!” whooped Big Island team member Reeve Cazimero. The whole team could not calm down and neither could the whole gym. Congratulations to Da Crew for winning, and Maui for a hard-fought game. Maui’s high scorer Kainoa Chung contributed 14 points to the final score.

Camaraderie at the hall 
Fourth place Kauai good-naturedly celebrated alongside a buoyant Big Island team at the union hall for dinner and awards. The event was organized by Oahu Division Sports Coordinator Brian Tanaka. Thanks also go out to Sports Coordinators Jose Miramontes and Paris Fernandez from Oahu, Claro Romero from Maui and Corinna Salmo from the Big Island.

Too close to call…

Three seconds to go…then Cameron Naihe-Tabiolo made a three-pointer at the buzzer!

Big Island champions Da Crew in a celebratory pose: Front row (l-r): Ian Carvalho, Joey Giltner, and Darin Puckett. 2nd row (l-r): Reeve Cazimero, Cameron Naihe-Tabiolo, and Reyn Matsu. 3rd row (l-r): Chase Cazimero and Kenneth Kapeliela. Top row: Chadwick Osaki.

Team Maui took second place in the tournament. Front row (l-r): Joel Alegado, Junne Arcilla, and Shawn Arcilla. Back row (l-r): Jansen Agapay and Rowen Arcilla.

Third Place, Oahu’s McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co. Front row (l-r): Vernon Polowski, Eric Valdez, and Haven Valdez. Second row (l-r): Matt Coleman, Brandon Ching, Kaipo Sarkissan, and Brashton Satele. Back row (l-r): Jordan Salud, Jason Smith, Coach Kaipo Bee, Pio Pelesasa, and Joshua Watts.

Fourth Place, Team Kauai. Front row (l-r): Aaron Medina, Kelvin Morano, Joel Green, and Freddie Bautista. Back row (l-r): Scott Remigio, Samuel Dias, Francisco Baniaga, Ronnel Constantino, Bryon Ponte, and Arjay Baniaga.