The Past and Present of Monarchs Men's basketball

The Past and Present of Monarchs Men's Basketball 

By: Raiden Silva

Damien Memorial School is known for many things, whether it's education, or sports like football. But when you think about Hawaii High School basketball, Damien’s name doesn't usually come up. But in recent years Damien has a few recent accomplishments, one being the 2019 ILH and State Champions. With the talent we have had over the years and the prospects for upcoming years, they hope to continue to make a name for our school.

 Damien’s Men's Basketball team has come a long way to get to where it is today. Damien fell short in the state tournament losing in the finals in 2018 to now winning Damiens first Men's basketball’s Championship in 2019 beating Farrington 73-50. Not only did they win the Championship but they won respect from many coaches and schools. 

This 2022 - 2023 season is the first no-restriction season since covid. For many fans, players, and coaches it is an exciting time. This is the second season with the new coach Keith Spencer, and with assistant coaches Gregory Ushijima, Conrad Shidaki, and Phillip Soon. This season looked promising and the team was contending with some of the top schools in the Division 2 bracket, with the hope to make it into the state tournament. With a league record of 5-10, and an overall record of 9-13, the Men's Monarch Basketball Team fell just short of the state tournament, losing to University Lab in the State qualifiers. 

Ke Ali’i caught up with Matthew Parker, a player on the team since the coaching staff changed. A Ke Ali’i reporter asked Matthew if he knew anything about Damien's previous seasons. He responded with, “ oh yea, I remember the Championship season but nothing else really, Damien’s first Basketball Championship in school history.” Matthew also said “that season set expectations high for the following seasons to come.” The season ended early with a loss to University Lab School and failed to qualify for the State Tournament. “With a young team there’s always going to  be mistakes made under pressure” said Matthew. He hopes to make it into the State tournament as the next season comes around. But when asked what hurt the team most this season Matthew responded with “the injury of Dillion Sevilleja late in the UH Lab game hurt us really badly for the remainder of the season. Dillion was like the glue to hold the team together.” 

They look forward to the next season and expect to make big improvements and “to build chemistry with each other so we can play better as a team and not as individuals.", according to Matthew, when asked about the new coach staff Matthew responded with “I like the new coaching staff, they push us to be better and they brought in new equipment such as the shooting machine which helps in improving our shooting and consistency a lot.”

In summary the past and the present seasons of Damien Memorials Men's Basketball Team is trying to build a name for itself. From coming short in 2018 losing in the Championship to going back the next season to win it all. This past season ended early trying to make it into the State Tournament.