Top honors are coming home with the Lady Panthers from Hawaii’s Nike ‘Iolani Classic basketball tournament.
South Medford High School’s girls varsity squad received the tournament’s Ray Wong One Team award, which cites Hawaiian cultural traditions behind presenting oneself with class, sportsmanship and graciousness — honoring the event and all its participants.
“Our people appreciate teams with good character and humility,” said tournament director Eddie Maruyama. “ONE TEAM travels even further in life, and your kids are on the right path!”
The Lady Panthers, coached by Kids Unlimited CEO Tom Cole, placed third overall in tournament play. 
Cole led the Lady Panthers to 6A state titles in 2012, 2021 and 2024. They were state tournament runners-up in 2013, 2014 and 2023.
“It’s the biggest trophy of the event,” said Cole of the One Team award. “It’s a huge compliment and honor that South Medford received.”
Many members of these teams grew up in KU’s Rotary Pass to Play basketball league and Cole’s Lady Panthers Hoops Club, serving as volunteer coaches and mentors for the next generation of hoopsters. A core KU program, Pass to Play incentivizes academic achievement and removes economic and transportation barriers to sports participation for Medford’s highest poverty and Latinx students. It produced current Lady Panthers assistant coach Yaremi Mejia, the first Latina awarded an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.
Hosted at the ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, the tournament is a premier high school competition for both boys and girls teams. Girls played Dec. 11-13, culminating in first- and second-place finishes for St. Mary’s and Carondelet, both of California. Boys teams are scheduled to play Dec. 16-20.
