Okesene "Junior" Ale's Happy New Year really begins today, with the Kahuku High School boys basketball team opening its regular season at home against Kaiser at 6:30 p.m.

It is a day Ale, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, has been waiting for and working toward since last February when the Red Raiders fell to Iolani in the state championship game.

"Last year was so exciting — a lot of people had never seen Kahuku go that far in basketball," said Ale, who was named to The Advertiser's All-State first team after helping the Red Raiders win their first O'ahu Interscholastic Association title since 1968. "I think we have a chance to do it again, if everybody has the desire and puts it all on the court."

Ale's desire has never been questioned, at least not on the basketball court. In volleyball, he was a second-team All-OIA Eastern Division selection as a junior and was set to be one of the league's top outside hitters this past season, but withdrew after the first preseason match.

"I never really wanted to play volleyball; I just joined to help the team out," Ale said. "Basketball is my first love, my passion, and I want to do something I love in college. That's why I decided (in August) to just concentrate on basketball and work toward getting a chance to play in college."

So Ale spent the next two months practicing every day, either shooting baskets by himself or joining in pickup games with players from Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. But along the way, Kahuku's volleyball roster was dwindling one player at a time because of academic, personal and disciplinary reasons, until on the eve of the OIA's fifth-place match, the Red Raiders were left with only five players.

They were forced to forfeit, and suddenly the state tournament berth they earned was in jeopardy.

"I told our athletic director (Joe Whitford) we might be done," said Kahuku coach Howard Kaulula'au. "Then when I was driving to work in the morning, Junior called me and said, 'Coach, what can I do to help?' I said, 'What do you mean?' He said, 'Can I help by coming back and playing?' "

Kaulula'au was surprised by the offer, but wanted to make sure it was made for the right reasons.

"When Junior left the team in the preseason, his heart wasn't in it, the desire wasn't there," Kaulula'au said. "So this time I said, 'If you come back, do it because you want to, not because the other kids are pressuring you to.' "

After Ale assured him that it was his decision alone, Kaulula'au checked on his eligibility and Ale was cleared since his name was never taken off the roster. Suddenly, the Red Raiders' season was saved.

"I felt sorry for my (volleyball) friends, because I knew they trained hard for the state tournament and I wanted to give them that experience," Ale said. "It was their opportunity to shine, and it would have been a loss if they didn't get to go."

In Kahuku's first-round match, Ale had 14 kills, 10 digs and two blocks to help the Red Raiders upset OIA runner-up Radford. He then had eight kills in a quarterfinal victory over Moloka'i.

Kahuku's magical run — with the minimum six players — finally ended in a semifinal loss to eventual champion Punahou.

"But we got to play in the Stan Sheriff Center, so it was a good ending," Kaulula'au said. "I don't know how much we can say about what Junior did for us. He's a humble kid, so he's not going to brag. But he sparked the team, and when we needed him, he was there."

Ale said "it was fun," and ended up making the All-Tournament team.

"It was a good experience," Ale said. "I'm glad I was able to help."

On the basketball court, Ale will have an even bigger role. Kahuku returns two other starters — twin forwards Kevin and Devin Unga — but graduated two starting guards in Shane Hayden and Clinton Parks.

As a result, Ale will be called upon for more ball-handling and outside shooting in addition to his rebounding and inside scoring duties. Red Raiders basketball coach Nathan James said Ale is ready for the challenge.

"He can play any position, and we've all seen what he brings as far as leadership," James said. "He leads the right way, and whatever he touches turns to gold."

Ale made the All-Tournament teams at the Iolani Prep Classic and Punahou Holiday Classic, both of which included top Mainland competition. He is hoping a strong regular and post season will result in a Division I college offer, but his focus right now is helping Kahuku win another OIA title.

"After the (football) state championship game, everybody at (Aloha) Stadium was telling me, 'Hey, Junior, we ready for basketball!' " Ale said. "Everybody's excited and ready to support us. It's beautiful."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.