BYU-Hawaii's basketball team rolled into the national tournament here March 14 with a 24-8 record, a scoring tandem nicknamed the "K Kids" and one of Hawaii's top freshman players, Jarinn Akana.

The "K Kids," center Bruce Koelliker and 6-foot-3 guard Wayne Keys, lived up to their billing by scoring 23 and 18 points, respectively, in the Seasiders' 66-55 first-round loss to Oklahoma's East Central College in the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association National (NAIA) Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.However, the game was much closer than the final score indicated, as there were 13 lead changes. BYU-Hawaii was hampered in the closing moments when its 6-foot-7 center, Koelliker, fouled out with a little more than 4 minutes to go.

Losing in the national tournament couldn't dampen the excitement caused by the Seasiders record-breaking season. Much of the team's success was the result of the play of Keys and Koelliker, affectionately dubbed the "K Kids" by the Hawaii press corps. They each averaged just under 20 points a game during the season.

"Wayne and Bruce not only met, but exceeded the coaching staff's expectations this year," said BYU-Hawaii head coach Charles "Chic" Hess. "They were the heart of our team. Wayne was our pillar up top, and Bruce our pillar under the basket."

"We worked and played as a team all season long," Keys said. "We had players who played their hearts out. This year truly was a success story."

Keys, voted "Player of the Year" by District 29 league coaches, was converted to the Church last fall and is planning on serving a mission.

Koelliker, a 6-7 forward from Las Vegas, Nev., broke the team's all-time marks for rebounding (802), as well as set new marks for single-season scoring (653) and rebounding (411). Not only was he the first Seasider to lead in both points and rebounds for the school, but he became the first player in his league to finish atop both categories as well.

For Koelliker, becoming a collegiate basketball star was hardly a priority while growing up in Nevada.

After serving a mission and growing a few inches, he enrolled at BYU's Provo, Utah, campus for a semester. He made the junior varsity volleyball team, but shifted his emphasis to basketball. Koellker's older brother Lee played for BYU-Hawaii during the 1978-79 season, which gave Bruce an incentive to follow his brother to Hawaii.

"Playing and studying at BYU-Hawaii have been great for me. If your No. 1 priority is to get a good education in a Church atmosphere and play for an excellent basketball program, BYU-Hawaii is the perfect school," he said.

Akana, the 6-0 freshman guard from Moloka'i, Hawaii, entered the Seasider program as one of Hawaii's best prep players his senior year.

Jarinn, who plans to finish his freshman year this June, is preparing for a summer mission call.

"I think anyone who is planning to go on a mission should consider attending a Church school," he said. "The spiritual atmosphere helps prepare you for it. My commitment to go on a mission was constantly reinforced during my experience at BYU-Hawaii, and having returned missionaries like Bruce on the team helped to set the needed example."