This past basketball season was a big game changer for women’s basketball.  Women’s college basketball is finally getting the attention they deserve. ‘Iolani School also has an extremely successful girls basketball program. Our Varsity I Girls Basketball team are five time state champions, including this year. As women’s basketball begins to grow, our players grow with it. College women’s basketball has broken records and college players have been outdoing expectations. Our team made history by bringing home a Koa trophy for the 5th continuous time. Not only college basketball, high school basketball is also changing and evolving. This finally shines an extremely deserving spotlight on basketball for women.

Caitlin Clark, now one of the most well known women’s college basketball players to ever exist. She has broken numerous records throughout her entire college career. A 6 ‘0 ft senior, Clark was present and playing at the championship game against South Carolina. South Carolina ran away with the game during the end, Iowa 75, South Carolina 87.  According to ESPN, the championship game averaged 18.7 million people and a peak of 24 million people watching. This is yet another record broken for sports streaming for women’s college basketball. It also surpassed the amount of people watching the men’s games for the first time.  

Our ‘Iolani community is also witnessing these big milestones for women’s basketball history and have insight into the topic. Justice Kekauoha ’27 is also changing the game at such a young age. Justice is the 2024 ESPN ILH D1 Player of the Year as a freshman. She, along with the Varsity I Girls Basketball team, made history this year by bringing home a Koa for 5 years straight. Kekauoha talked about Paige Bueckers, a UConn guard, when asked about her favorite player. “I think Paige, because of her energy and the way she carries herself.” Paige Bueckers was sidelined for 584 days according to Bleacher Report due to an ACL injury in 2022. There is a lot to ingest from these big players. Paige exemplifies many traits that Justice looks up to. “She makes a big impact on her team, especially the way she holds herself,” Justice says. Watching these college basketball games are intense and there is a lot to learn from these experienced players. Justice learns a lot from simply watching these games. “How fast they play the game, how developed they are, and the energy that surrounds them.”

Declan Beckette ’27 when asked said that his favorite women’s NCAA player is also Paige Beuckers. “Before the recent large-scale exposure to womens’ basketball, she was one of the main players that everyone was keeping an eye on. I mean she’s a smart player, who might not have the same highlights that Caitlin Clark has, but she’s definitely fun to watch and I feel that she plays the game the right way.” However, Athletic Director, Coach Maurice “Mo” Maggiolino, believes that one of the greatest players in the women’s college basketball game is definitely without a doubt, Caitlin Clark. “People want to deny the talent of the women’s game until they see just how good talent is, not only her basketball skills but how she conducts herself on the court.” ting too,” compliments Caitlin Clark is the highest scorer on her team, but she doesn’t stop there. She is not only putting up high numbers in scores but in assists to her team as well. “She plays hard, is a team player, and not only is she scoring but she’s assisting too,” compliments Coach Mo.

The new exposure and publicity women’s march madness has brought in is changing women’s basketball. Many have witnessed over time the change in women’s basketball culture. Coach Eddie Maruyama, Athletic Director here at ‘Iolani, has firsthand insight to how the game is changing over the past couple years for women. “It’s about time that women are finally getting the exposure they deserved a long time ago. These girls and women in sports are getting the well-deserved praise, recognition, and exposure they deserve.” Our Varsity girls basketball have been state champions for 5 years. Over this half decade of straight wins, they have attracted a good fan base. It’s great exposure for our school and our community. 

College athletes in general all go through big stake games, meets or matches at some point in their athletic career. Many of these players get intense and carry themselves with a certain attitude, which can in multiple cases be negative. It’s a controversial topic about the on court “beef” players have between each other. Some lash out while others foul out. In these high intensity games, it’s win or go home. It can cause women’s sports to have a bad rep even though the men’s league has the same problem. “As a society, we have to change that persecution of women competing and going after each other, with emotion and not backlashing them,” says Coach Eddie. However, this isn’t the case for our players. “It’s rewarding to know that our girls are playing the same game as these big college stars. It’s rewarding to know that our girls basketball team will represent us with class and great sportsmanship, a team that ‘Iolani can be proud of.” The way these players represent themselves on our home court, showcasing their good sportsmanship win or lose makes our school as a whole proud. Conducting themselves in a higher manner is something that many players struggle with, intense competition often brings out frustration. The way our girls are playing set a great example for up and coming athletes in other programs as well. 

From high school wins to sold out, record-breaking college games, these outstanding accomplishments truly change women’s basketball culture, finally giving it the appreciation it deserves. This marks only the beginning of the uprising of women in basketball, the progress isn’t over! These big names are changing the game and paving the way for future players.