Best of the ILH dominate
2002 first team

Star-Bulletin All-State
Kamehameha's Kneubuhl in control

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By Tim Crouse
tcrouse@starbulletin.com

The Interscholastic League of Honolulu dominates the Star-Bulletin All-State first team this season, with four out of six players coming from the private-school league.

Besides Player of the Year Isaac Kneubuhl of Kamehameha, the state champion Warriors also place middle blocker Will Melemai on the first team, and Iolani has Sean Carney at setter and Derrick Low at outside hitter.

Filling out the top team are Jonathan Charette of Pearl City and Corey Spence of Seabury Hall.

The Star-Bulletin Coach of the Year is outgoing Pearl City coach Reid Shigemasa, who guided the Chargers into the state championship match -- the first time in 13 years a non-ILH team has made the final.

The Star-Bulletin selections were made after consultation with coaches around the state.

Half of the first-team players will return next year as seniors: Carney, Low and Spence.

Kneubuhl and Spence are repeat Star-Bulletin first-team selections.

Carney is a 6-foot-2 junior setter who also spent time at outside hitter.

"He controls the offense well," Shigemasa said. "He's not only a setter, but an offensive player. He can be a devastating hitter. You don't normally get a 6-2 setter."

Carney definitely got the attention this year of Kamehameha coach Pono Maa.

"He's the best blocking setter in the state, hands down," Maa said. "He's a D-I player and he's got another year in high school. He can also hurt you from the service line."

Iolani coach Luis Ramirez said Carney matured a lot from last year to this year, on and off the court.

"He has grown up a lot," Ramirez said. "He has become very coachable. He has a very bright future."

Many of Carney's sets this season went to Low, a 6-1 junior outside hitter and the reigning Star-Bulletin Mr. Basketball.

Even though basketball is Low's primary sport, he excelled in volleyball this season. He was one of the hardest hitters in the state, led the Raiders in kills at seven a match, and helped them reach the state semifinals.

"That guy is just incredible," Maa said. "He doesn't play much, and to do what he does with limited (time) is amazing. He's a legitimate D-I player in volleyball. He's so athletic.

"We got matchups on him and he just destroyed us. He was someone we geared our defense against."

Ramirez said Low has been very coachable, and that he's a "good-spirited, humble" player.

"All that leadership he has on the basketball court (flows over) to the volleyball court," Ramirez said. "He's a natural athlete. His passing improved incredibly."

Charette, Pearl City's 6-2 senior opposite, transferred from a California high school that didn't have a volleyball team. He made an immediate impact for the state runner-up Chargers.

"He was totally awesome," Damien coach Wayland Arruda said.

The left-handed hitter was tough to block at the net, leading the Chargers in kills. He also showed off a devastating serve and good all-around defense.

"I was impressed with his blocking," Waimea coach Bobby Kamakele said. "He has good technique and he's a very good athlete. He was the one that put Pearl City's game all together, he solidified that team."

Said Maui coach Albert Paschoal: "He's basically ready for the next level. He brings everything a college program would want."

Melemai, a 6-6 senior middle blocker, played his best in the second half of the season and into the postseason. He hit an impressive .630 in the ILH.

"He was a big force at the net, blocking and hitting," Maa said. "There were nights when we'd run our offense through him."

A good example of Melemai's ability to take over a game was in the state championship contest against Pearl City. On consecutive plays in the first game, Melemai roofed Chargers hitters to ignite the crowd and give the Warriors an insurmountable 13-5 lead.

"He was consistent," Shigemasa said. "He was quiet, but he was awesome."

Spence, a 6-1 junior outside hitter, guided the Spartans to the Maui Interscholastic League championship.

"For someone with his ability, and with the way he can take over a game, he's a humble kid," Paschoal said. "He has great composure and he's a very good athlete."

Spence averaged six kills and an ace per match during the MIL season.

"He has great court sense, a real feel for the game," Seabury Hall coach Tim Walsh said. "He knows how to put the ball away. He's our go-to guy, and he's also got a wicked jump serve."

Shigemasa helped the Chargers make a run at the state title in his last season as coach.

"From where they were in the preseason to where (they ended up) ... Reid did a fabulous job," Arruda said.

Pearl City beat Iolani in the state semifinals to advance to the championship match.

"He finally got (the OIA) through that ILH barrier," Paschoal said. "I think he's a great tactical coach, when it comes down to game plan and changes during the game."

Maryknoll coach Blaine Gier and Shigemasa started coaching at about the same time, after graduating in 1988 from the schools they now coach.

"Pearl City is very disciplined, year in and year out. They're always the team to beat in the OIA," Gier said. "He's a good motivator and he conditions his players well."

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Star-Bulletin All-State

Player of the Year

>> Isaac Kneubuhl, Kamehameha, Sr.

Coach of the Year

>> Reid Shigemasa, Pearl City

FIRST TEAM

Setter: Sean Carney, Iolani, Jr.
Middle blocker: Will Melemai, Kamehameha, Sr.
Opposite: Jonathan Charette, Pearl City, Sr.
Outside hitter: Isaac Kneubuhl, Kamehameha, Sr.
Outside hitter: Corey Spence, Seabury Hall, Jr.
Outside hitter: Derrick Low, Iolani, Jr.

SECOND TEAM

S: Ainoa Miyashiro, Kamehameha, Jr.
MB: Chad Miller, Iolani, Sr.
MB: Shawn Ah Mow, Kalaheo, Sr.
OH: Jarrett Day, Kamehameha, Sr.
OH: Elsworth Kaanaana, Pearl City, Sr.
OH: Alika DeRego, Castle, Jr.

THIRD TEAM

S: Chris Kaneko, Pearl City, Sr.
MB: Desmond Rodrigues, Waimea, Sr.
MB/OH: Michael Newmeyer, Leilehua, Sr.
OH: Matt Liulama, Kealakehe, Sr.
OH: Ian Woodward, Maryknoll, Sr.
OH: Kapena Wong, Pearl City, Sr.

Honorable mention

Campbell: Gary Ramirez, Kainoa Rapoza. Iolani: Michael Contee. Ka'u: Jasen Villa. Laupahoehoe: Kea Jardine. Maui: Kynan Metoger, Gene Rivera. Mililani: Ryan Gonzales. Molokai: J.D. Potter. Pearl City: Michael Hardy. Seabury Hall: Kalani Thibodeaux. Waiakea: Kamalu Kabalis. Waimea: Joshua Vinzant.

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League All-Stars

BIIF

Player of the Year -- Matt Liulama, Kealakehe
Coach of the Year -- Guy Enriques, Ka'u

First Team -- Kamalu Kabalis, Waiakea, Sr.; Mat Liulama, Kealakehe, Sr.; Ephraim Kahanu, Waiakea, Jr.; Jasen Villa, Kau, Sr.; Kea Jardine, Laupahoehoe, Sr.; Cody Aragaki, Waiakea, Jr.; Joey Poai, Waiakea, Sr.
Second Team -- Tyrone Ferreira, Keaau, Sr.; Joshua Ortega, Kau, Sr.; Kyle Teves, Kealakehe, Jr.; Eric Ulep, Keaau, Sr.; Loa Patao, Kealakehe, So.; Haaheo Fernandez, Honokaa, Jr.; Ryan Pascubillo, Kau, So.
Honorable Mention -- Christian Liberty: Grant Chai, Nathan Kurohara, Jon Williamson. Hilo: Brandon Silva. Honokaa: Mana Bailado, Dex Alpichie, Ryan Lee, Kale Recaido, Koa Gonsalves. Hawaii Prep: Gooch Barchenger. Kau: Elijah Navarro. Keaau: Donovan Kamau, Mat Cadaoas, Dillon Simpson, Caleb Laa. Kealakehe: Nuuhiwa Ching, Colin Coleman. Kohala: Bruce Parayno, Raymond Kanehailua. Pahoa: Jaemar Sibucao, Keone Aiu, Ioane Kekahuna. St. Joseph: Treston Yasso. Waiakea: Tom Dement

ILH

Player of the Year -- Isaac Kneubuhl, Kamehameha, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Blaine Gier, Maryknoll

First Team -- Jarrett Day, Kamehameha, Sr.; Derrick Low, Iolani, Jr.; Ian Woodward, Maryknoll, Sr.; Will Melemai, Kamehameha, Sr.; Chad Miller, Iolani, Sr.; Ainoa Miyashiro, Kamehameha, Jr.; Michael Contee, Iolani, Jr.
Second Team -- Sean Carney, Iolani, Jr.; Todd Blankenship, Iolani, Jr.; Kawika Lopez, Damien, Jr.; Graham Enomoto, Hawaii Baptist, Sr.; John Atger-Wan, St. Louis, Sr.; Chris Friedemann, Punahou, Jr.; Kapena Kimball, Kamehameha, Sr.
Honorable mention -- Damien: Micah Kikuta, Mason Nebrija, Daniel Cunningham, Dennis Diaz, Lanikai Auna, Jordan Alo, Chad Iokia, Joel Duclayan, Justin Casil, Raymond Bucasas. Hawaii Baptist: Nicholas Cadiente, Nicholas Fujii, John McDonough, Fred Tubania. Lutheran: Logan Ezzell, Matt Rapoza, Amani Evensen. Lanakila Baptist: James Mullis. Iolani: BJ Takushi, Kyle Pape. Maryknoll: Jason Kennedy, Stacey Wong, Kealakai Hussey, Riley Tang, Ryan Liu, Aaron Hu, Jonathan Cabral, Chad Grossman. Mid-Pac: Jonathan Hee, Jeff Mizokawa, Todd Kimura. Punahou: Mike China. St. Louis: Kaiea Chung, Zachary Augustiro, Ranier Augustine, Isaiah Chang, Jared Yuen. University: John Duro, Jason Shon, Jace Heida, Ryan Ige, Owen Simmons

KIF

Player of the Year -- Desmond Rodrigues, Waimea
Coach of the Year -- Bobby Kamakele, Waimea

All-stars -- Kamu Kawaihalau, Kauai; Joshua Vinzant, Waimea; Erwin Wright, Waimea; Steven Fountain Jr., Waimea; Casey Kaohelaulii, Waimea; Desmond Rodrigues, Waimea

OIA

EASTERN DIVISION

Player of the Year -- Alika DeRego, Castle, Jr.
Coach of the Year -- Pat Gomes, Castle

First Team -- Alika DeRego, Castle, Jr.; Shawn Ah Mow, Kalaheo, Sr.; Uriah Seui, Farrington, Sr.; James Isip, McKinley, Sr.; Elias Ayau, Kalaheo, Fr.; Clint Maki, Roosevelt, Sr.; Nicholas Harryson, Moanalua, So.; Christopher Tumaneng, Kalaheo, Fr.
Second Team -- Daniel Young, Kailua, Sr.; Sam Wilhoite, Kalaheo, Jr.; Jordan Ukauka, Castle, Sr.; William Elliott, Kalaheo, Jr.; Jonjon Fuamatu, Farrington, Sr.; Chris Young, Moanalua, Sr.; Reid Mariushi, Roosevelt, Sr.; Michael Chun, McKinley, Sr.
Honorable mention -- Castle: Andrew Padilla, Robert Brede, Shaun Simao. Farrington: Rodney Cabebe, Jomel Ambrocio, Arturo Leal. Kahuku: Hapaki Kaululaau, Brandon Carr, Okesene Ale, Cory Estioko, Andrew Thompson. Kailua: Tyler Kimura, Nicholas Miner, Ryan Kaopuiki, Gregory Hoke. Kaimuki: Jr. Maiava, Kapono David, Cassidy Inamasu, Erik Leong, Steven Hanuna, Michael Kaneshiro. Kaiser: Matthew Li, Casey Nakano. McKinley: Chris Kobayashi, Robert Holder, Mark Nakatsuka. Moanalua: Karl Achiu, Cy Hiyane, Mitchell Kuga. Roosevelt: Evan Patek, Daniel Taniguchi, David Young

WESTERN DIVISION

Player of the Year -- Elsworth Kaanaana, Pearl City, Sr.
Coach of the Year -- Reid Shigemasa, Pearl City

First Team -- Elsworth Kaanaana, Pearl City, Sr.; Michael Newmeyer II, Leilehua, Sr.; Kapena Wong, Pearl CIty, Sr.; Ryan Gonzales, Mililani, Sr.; Jonathan Charette, Pearl City, Sr.; Gary Ramirez, Campbell, Sr.; Stephen Gascon, Leilehua, Sr.; Chris Kaneko, Pearl City, Sr.
Second Team -- Justin Himori, Mililani, Sr.; Joshua Auelua, Radford, Sr.; Mike Nakagawa, Nanakuli, Sr.; Michael Adams, Pearl City, Sr.; Nolan Rapoza, Campbell, Sr.; T.Y. Ching, Waialua, Sr.; Tyson Takiguchi, Pearl CIty, Jr.; Taetuli Tafai, Campbell, Jr.
Honorable mention -- Aiea: Chris Setoda, Dewey Mark, Kala Caberto, Jordan Sasaki. Campbell: Troy Samapaga. Kapolei: Sam Alonzo, Shaun Kitsu, Roderick Orpilla, Emperador Aton, Jonathan Jones. Leilehua: Edward Garcia, Daniel Galaraza, Jeremy Puha. Mililani: Puna Newmann, Scott Neumenn, Aaron Fujimoto. Nanakuli: Aaron Amaral, Clarence Sesepasara, Sharkey Peahi, Reno Auwae. Pearl City: Michael Hardy. Radford: Steve Badua, Robby Ventura, Glen Klaiber, Beau Geolina. Waialua: Kino Dela Pina. Waianae: Simon Sua, Lonona Brown, Robert Williams, Donovan Wong, Daniel Brewer. Waipahu: Tappy Andrews, Foalima Pelupelu, Sili Bentley, Arthur Fanene, Dustin Rodrigues

MIL

Not available

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