Utah Prep wins ‘Iolani Classic behind Hawai’i trio, Dybantsa

HONOLULU – The boys loved being back home. 

Utah Prep won the 2024 ‘Iolani Classic on Saturday night, taking down Brewster Prep (NH) in the championship game, 45-43, to complete a perfect 4-0 stretch in the legendary high school basketball tournament. Led by the nation’s top recruit and three prep stars that once called Hawai’i home, the national team for Utah Prep dispatched opponents by a combined 124 points in the four games in the holiday tournament. 

Kahuku was one of two local programs that took aim at the national prep powerhouse, falling in the opening round of the tournament to Utah Prep, 107-50. The Red Raiders had multiple good moments, including a fallaway jumper by Mystique Akina-Watson over AJ Dybantsa and a 20-point performance by Ronin Naihe, but ultimately succumbed to the overwhelming talent of the Utah Prep roster. 

“That’s why you play the game of basketball,” Kahuku head coach Bradyn Akana said after the game. “You play the best players in the country … it was a fun game for our guys, and I think it was a great experience.” 

JJ Mandaquit, Anthony Felesi and Layden Kauka each made their returns to the islands for the tournament, starring in various stretches throughout the games as Utah Prep showed off what national powerhouse prep schools can look like to the fans in attendance. Mandaquit tallied 20 points in the opening round game, drilling four three-pointers and tossing down a pair of thrilling dunks for onlookers. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Mandaquit said of his return to his old home gym. “It means everything to come back home and just to see the level of support, it was really cool and made me want to play harder. 

Felesi took his turn the next night, leading all scorers with 21 points against ‘Iolani as Utah Prep posted a 50-plus point win for the second straight night. Former Kohala star Layden Kauka added 13 points with a trio of three-pointers for Utah Prep for his tournament-high output.  

“I always wanted to play in [the ‘Iolani Classic] as a kid and in my freshman year,” Kauka said of his return to the islands. “Playing in this tournament now is really a great feeling in front of both the Hawai’i kids and the people who support me most.” 

Felesi, who is originally from Laie and holds an offer from the University of Hawai’i, was asked if he could see himself returning to the islands for his college career after the trip back for the ‘Iolani Classic. While the Rainbow Warriors will have a big hill to climb in the recruiting battle with programs such as Houston, Creighton and BYU among the many others competing for the 6-foot-6 wing’s services, Felesi did say he “could see himself returning home” for his next step while noting how nice it was to compete in front of his family again. 

Utah Prep worked past Oak Hill (VA) in the semifinals on Friday night, 63-52, behind a 26-point explosion from Dybantsa with him drilling 15-of-19 attempts from the foul line. The nation’s top recruit and BYU commit shouldered the load again on Saturday night, scoring 29 points to power Utah Prep over Brewster Academy, 45-43.