Leaving Las Vegas
Mililani baseball coach Glenn Nitta lost 13 seniors from last year's team that went to the state tournament.
So what better way for the Trojans to bond as a team than by a preseason trip to Las Vegas? It might figure that they'd need a little luck to contend this year in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division
After going 1-2 in Nevada last week, Mililani finished its preseason with a 6-8 record. But Nitta, in his 27th year as the Trojans' coach, wasn't worried.
"I just told the kids what really counts is when the season starts," he said.
So Mililani went out Saturday and beat Waianae in their OIA West opener, 4-0.
By Dave Reardon
OIA GOLF
Titles on the line at Waialae
Kalaheo and Pearl City square off for the boys' crown and Radford and Moanalua compete for the girls' title Friday at Waialae Country Club for the Oahu Interscholastic Association team golf championships. Tee-off is 10 a.m.
In Monday's semifinals at the Makaha Golf Course, Pearl City's Blaine Jasmin led the boys with a 73, and Angela and Eleanor Apelu of Radford shot 82s to pace the girls' field.
TENNIS
Tennis, everyone
The top spots in boys and girls OIA tennis will be at stake Saturday when Mililani hosts Pearl City at 2 p.m. The Mililani boys (28-2) and girls (29-1) have the best records in the OIA, but the Chargers are within striking distance. The Chargers boys are 25-5 and the girls are 27-3. The Aiea boys' team (21-9), in third place in the West, will play Moanalua (18-12) at Pearlridge Elementary at 2 p.m. In the girls' East, Kaiser (21-9) hosts division leader Roosevelt (27-3).
Athletes of the Week
Gainor Nitta
MILILANI
The Trojans' sophomore left-hander pitched a two-hit shutout as Mililani beat Waianae, 4-0, on Saturday in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West baseball opener for both teams. Nitta struck out 10 and walked three.
Brandy Richardson
KALAHEO
The Mustangs' junior all-stater scored 31 points and 20 points as Kalaheo opened its Oahu Interscholastic Association East season with victories over Kaiser and Kalani. Against Kaiser, she also had 18 rebounds. In the Kalani game, Richardson grabbed 17 rebounds and dealt six assists.
Honor Roll
Outstanding performers in high school sports last week include:
BASEBALL
B.J. Clifton, Leilehua: Drove in three runs with a single, double and triple as the Mules opened their OIA West season with a 13-7 victory at Pearl City on Saturday.
Lopaka Kia, Radford: Pitched a six-inning three-hitter as the Rams opened their OIA West season with a 10-0 win over Waipahu.
Alika Kuraoka, Kamehameha: Went 5-for-8 at the plate in three games.
Bronson Sardinha, Kamehameha: Went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in the Warriors' loss to St. Louis last Tuesday.
Jacob Sur, Radford: Belted two home runs and drove in three runs while going 3-for-3 in the Rams' win Saturday.
BASKETBALL
Robynn Afe, Farrington: Scored 21 points in a win over Kailua and 15 in a victory against Castle.
Keesha Aldridge, Aiea: Scored 16 points against Waianae and 22 against Nanakuli as Na Alii split their first two OIA West games.
Kealani Kimball, Kamehameha: In wins over Sacred Hearts and Mid-Pacific, the senior forward played outstanding defense, scored 12 points in each game and grabbed 15 rebounds while playing little more than one-half of each game.
Heather Massey, Radford: Helped the Rams split a pair of OIA West games last week with 18 points vs. Moanalua and 12 points against Waipahu. She hit two 3-pointers in each game.
Jodi Nakashima, Roosevelt: Led the Rough Riders in their first two OIA East games by scoring 17 and 18 points.
Elizabeth Narkon, St. Francis: The 6-foot sophomore forward scored 23 points with 11 rebounds as the Troubadors beat Iolani, 52-24, to improve their record to 5-0 in Division II.
Monica Tokoro, Iolani: Scored 11 points to lead the Raiders in their 37-35 comeback victory over Punahou on Saturday.
JUDO
Justin Taomae, Iolani: Named Most Outstanding Boys Open participant at OIA Judo Tournament Saturday. Was victorious in the 136-139 pound weight division.
Anna Tong, Kaiser: Named Most Outstanding Girls Open participant, for winning in the 132-136 pound division.
TRACK AND FIELD
Chris Chong, Kalaheo: Won the long jump (21-5), triple jump (43-11) and the 800 meters (2:02.4) and ran on two winning relay teams as the Kalaheo boys won the Sakamoto Invitational on Friday at Kaiser. Chong's triple jump was a meet record.
Lauran Dignam, Iolani: Won the 100 (12.62), 200 (25.98) and 400 meter dashes (58.86) at the Punahou Girls Invitational on Saturday.
Natasha Kai, Kahuku: Won both hurdles events and the long jump and triple jump at the Punahou Girls Invitational on Saturday.
Emily LaCaille, Kalaheo: Won three events and set two meet records at the Sakamoto Invitational Friday. Her records were in the 3,000 meter (11:36.9) and 1,500 meter runs (5:19). She also won the 800 meter run (2:37).
Vera Simms, Mililani: Set new meet records in the long jump (18-feet), 100 meters (12.15), and anchored three relay teams that also set meet records Saturday at the George H. Yamamoto Relays.
To nominate...
Athletes of the Week and Honor Roll will return next Wednesday. Normally, a male and female athlete are selected each week based on their performances of the previous week. To nominate, call the Star-Bulletin Sports Department between 7-11 p.m. Sundays at 525-8600; fax it to 525-5497; or e-mail to sports@starbulletin.com. |
|
