COACH: CAROLINE TATUPU

Key players: Lusina Otineru (5-9, jr., forward); Jerica Onosai (5-8, jr., forward); Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo (5-8, fr., forward/guard); Natalie Mata (5-4, jr., guard); Valerie Lesu (5-5, jr., forward).

Notes: The Governors have just three returnees, two of them starters in Mata and Lesu. ... Mata has been out with an ACL injury since last season, but was expected to be cleared last Friday. ... Tatupu-Leopoldo is a transfer from Mid-Pacific and sophomore Janell Nance is a transfer from St. Francis. ... Onosai and Otineru are mobile power forwards who like to bang inside and score in the paint, but are also capable of shooting mid-range shots ... Farrington defeated Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams Punahou II, Word of Life and Maryknoll in the preseason.

Coach speak: "Any time you can beat an ILH team, it's a boost for the team and for the program."

KAHUKU

COACH: DAVID TEO

Top players: Taeja Afalava (5-10, so., forward); Alayna Galeai (5-10, sr., center)

Notes: The Red Raiders have only two seniors. ... Afalava is the primary scorer. ... Galeai has great hands in the post, can score inside and is a solid rebounder. ... Rachel Tailele (5-4, fr., point guard) will split time between basketball and the JV soccer team.

Coach speak: "Taeja is a scoring machine once she gets going. She has great range and can play the 3 or 4."

KAIMUKI

COACH: RAMONA FA'ASOA

Key players: Olivia Phommachanh (5-4, jr., guard); Dinishah Fa'asoa (5-4, jr., guard/forward).

Notes: The Bulldogs are young and raw. A lot of players were brought up from the junior varsity squad and in essence, playing just their second year of basketball. ... Phommachanh is an excellent scorer with a good knowledge of the game. ... The emergence of freshman Letisha Fa'asoa could ease some of the pressure on Phommachanh.

KALAHEO

COACH: JAC THOMAS

Key players: Nicole Cobb (5-7, jr., guard/forward); Kourtni Thomas (5-6, so., guard); Kaua Cale (5-7, so., guard), Caira Pires (5-5, jr., guard/forward).

Notes: The Mustangs are a young squad who lost several key players to graduation, including point guard Shanadee Canon. ... Thomas takes over as the starting point guard. ... Cobb has been the leading scorer during the preseason. ... Pires, a third-year varsity member, will be looked upon for leadership.

Coach speak: "We hope to reestablish the program built by (longtime coach) Chico Furtado."

KALANI

COACH: GEORGE WEEKS

Key players: Iwalani Rodrigues (5-9, sr., guard); Rhianna Farm (5-11, sr., forward); Violet Alama (5-11, sr., forward); Chloe Martin (5-1, sr., guard).

Notes: Rodrigues, an All-State transfer from Roosevelt, recently committed to play for the University of Utah. ... Weeks, the first-year coach, said players with those types of accolades tend to be self-serving, but he described Rodrigues as "humble" and that her positive attitude "permeates to the whole team." ... Seniors Kimberly Balsai and Brandi Yamauchi bring leadership and experience.

MOANALUA

COACH: KRISTIE MORIKAWA

Key players: Britni Ronolo (5-9, sr., forward); Hoku Dela Cruz (5-3, jr., guard); Qwineysha Wheeler (5-5, sr., guard).

Notes: In its preseason tournament, Moanalua lost by one point to defending state champion Konawaena. The next day, Moanalua came out flat against Kahuku. The team has shown some mettle, rallying from a 10-point deficit to beat Radford. ... Morikawa is in her first year coaching the varsity squad at her alma mater. She was the junior varsity coach last season.

Coach speak: "They've made it fun so far. Even though we're having a tough time, it's been great."

ROOSEVELT

COACH: BOBBY KEANINI

Key players: Dianna Zane (5-4, sr., guard); Tiana Sugui (5-5, sr., guard); Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole (5-8, jr., forward), Tiyana Nakasone (5-5, sr., guard)

Notes: Zane is a good ball-handler, tenacious defender and her presence improves those around her. She'll also be looked upon to pick up the scoring because of Iwalani Rodrigues' transfer to Kalani. ... Sugui is the top returning scorer. ... Kamakawiwo'ole will be looked upon to control the paint. ... Nakasone is a good defender who is versatile and can shoot and handle the ball ... Keely Bitanga (5-3, jr., guard) is a transfer from Kaiser.

Coach speak: "Zane is arguably the best pure point guard in the state with solid fundamentals."

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.