KEA鈥楢U 鈥� For the Kamehameha 91直播 girls basketball team, last season was a case of 鈥渟o close but yet so far.鈥�
The Lady Warriors had the same regular season record as Kohala, but lost in the head-to-head matchup. They beat Pahoa in the regular season, but lost to the Daggers in the BIIF semifinals and had to settle for third in the conference and the final berth in the state tournament. KSH won its first game at states, but lost to the eventual champion Hanalani in the second round.
In 2025-26, head coach Donald Yamada will rely on three returning starters to lead the way, helped along by three players who contributed from the bench last year.
Senior Melony Urbina, All-BIIF honorable mention in 2025, will look to set the tone with her attitude, hustle and sharp all-around game. Urbina put in a lot of work playing club ball in the off-season to prepare for her senior year.
鈥淧ositivity is always something I bring to the table, and I just push myself on everything,鈥� she told the paper.
鈥淢elony transferred in as a sophomore and got used to our playing style as a junior,鈥� Yamada said of Urbina. 鈥淭his year, she will be a workhorse for the team.鈥�
Sophomore guard Shailan Benevides, All-BIIF Second Team in 2024-2025, will take on a bigger role this season and is determined to work with her teammates to eliminate the mental mistakes that cost them opportunities last year.
In her second year on the team, Benevides plans to be a more vocal leader.
鈥淚 am a team player, and I feel I can help my teammates do what they need to do to work together as a team,鈥� Benevides said. To prepare for this season, she partook in club ball and traveled with the 91直播 Select team during the offseason.
鈥淟ast year, Shailan did a good job leading the team as a freshman,鈥� said Yamada, who also coaches club team HI Life in the offseason. 鈥淪he still has things to learn, but she will be a leader.鈥�
The Warriors roster will be smaller this year, and both the coaches and players agree that they will have to play smart and be aggressive on the defensive end to succeed. Size will be of greater concern early in the season as center Maci Lonokapu is currently rehabbing an injury, but is looking forward to competing soon.
This year鈥檚 version of the KSH was not satisfied with how last season ended. The Warriors believe talent-wise they were equal to the other teams in the BIIF and that it was mental errors that cost them opportunities in the end. Look for this year鈥檚 team to bring mental toughness every time they step on the court.
KSH wrapped up preseason tournament action on Oahu, and returns to the Big Island to begin its BIIF slate next week.
Follow @kshathletics to stay up to date on Kamehameha-91直播 athletics, and see the paper all season to read coverage on the team.