Often enough in sports, a team has its best season immediately after losing great individual players.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin: You don't Say, Aiea No. 9
That isn't to say that Aiea will have a great season now that superb athletes like Lofa Liilii have graduated. What I do believe is that Na Alii have a solid tradition in place, strengthened by standouts like Lofa.
With a strong defense, speedy receivers and one of the OIA's top passers in Keenan Naeole, Aiea is in the mix for a state-tournament berth and maybe even a league championship.
The problem is that the OIA Red West may be the best league in the state from top to bottom. It is deeper and more balanced than the Red East — again — and has no peer from Neighbor Island leagues. Only the ILH can boast of a league as deep.
Wendell Say and his staff are confident about their defense, but what I'll be looking for is play in the trenches. There were times in the late stages of games last year when Na Alii were dominated inside. Fatigue? Only Aiea knows. If they can match their size with endurance, Naeole could guide the team to new horizons.
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