|
High School Beat
|
Warriors’ Nichols remains upbeat
In a season of ups and downs, the fourth-ranked Kamehameha Warriors have been resilient.
Or, at least senior wide receiver Aaron Nichols has.
The Warriors were in position to seize control of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu race, but fell to Saint Louis 21-14 on Friday. That created a three-way logjam in the Division I standings with the Crusaders and Punahou.
In the Star-Bulletin Top 10, Kamehameha fell from the top spot to No. 4.
"We were really intense for Punahou. This week, it seemed like it wasn't the same," Nichols said moments after Kamehameha's loss.
After catching touchdown passes of 90 and 80 yards the week before against Punahou, the talented wideout was limited to four receptions for 51 yards by the Warriors.
Instead of wallowing in frustration, though, Nichols moved forward. Quickly.
"All we can do is learn from it," the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder said. "There are two ways we can react: One is to get down on ourselves, or come back next week against a good team like Iolani."
Clubs, schools connected: On the neighbor islands, club sports are intertwined, in some ways, with high school athletics.
Case in point, St. Joseph girls volleyball coach Rachelle Hanohano also directs a volleyball club at the local YMCA. That has given a number of Big Island athletes the chance to play in mainland and local tournaments. Without the club, there's a probability that many of the players would not have gained those experiences.
Some of them, now playing Division I college volleyball, may not even be involved with sports if not for their year-round club commitment.
But that's the more casual atmosphere of the Big Island. On Oahu, the issue of club sports during the high-school season is intensifying, particularly in the private-school Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
In years past, the decision to allow ILH athletes to play in club tournaments in-season was left to athletic directors. However, ILH bylaws now prohibit the participation of its student-athletes in club sports while the season is in progress.
A band of parents is petitioning the league to make an exception for their soccer-playing children. An elite tournament in San Diego, Calif., will be held on Thanksgiving weekend, which falls into the window of the ILH soccer season.
On one hand, the players -- who play for the elite Honolulu Bulls soccer club -- are hoping to play in San Diego and gain greater exposure to college recruiters. Conversely, the ILH may open a proverbial can of worms by making an exception to the rule by allowing players to participate in a club-based tournament during the season.
ILH president Rich Schaffer could not be reached for comment yesterday morning.
The battle line between the league and parents has been drawn. As the season and the San Diego tournament near, the conflict will probably intensify.
Stay tuned.
BACK TO TOP
|
Athletes of the week
BOYS
Cameron Bayne, Saint Louis football: Caught nine passes for 150 yards, including two key third-down conversions during the Crusaders' game-winning drive against then-No. 1 Kamehameha.
GIRLS
Kristine Miyasato, Hawaii Baptist volleyball: Hustled for 26 digs in an upset of then-No. 10 Mid-Pacific.
Honor roll
AIR RIFLERY
Kristina Acosta, Kaimuki: Scored a 242 against Moanalua.
Traci Chang, Kalani: Tallied a 234 against Castle and a 239 against Roosevelt.
Andrew Doi, Roosevelt: Scored a 255 against Kalani.
Nicolas Fujita, Kalani: Shot a 247 against Roosevelt.
Daniel Gima, Moanalua: Tallied a 240 against Kahuku.
Charles Grande, Campbell: Scored a 236 against Waialua.
Michael Matsuse-Panzo, Kaimuki: Posted a 235 against Kailua.
Chester Radona, Waipahu: Scored a 237 against Waianae.
John Rosales, Leilehua: Scored a 238 against Waialua.
Jeness Salcedo, Radford: Recorded a 242 against Waipahu.
Bruce Tagama, Farrington: Tallied a 235 against Kalaheo.
Mykal Takao, Kaimuki: Posted a 235 against Moanalua.
Adam Turin, Kahuku: Scored a 236 against Roosevelt.
BOWLING
Mike Ciano, Punahou: Rolled a 238 game against Maryknoll.
Shane Dagdag, Aiea: Tallied a 606 series against Radford.
Kevin Enriques, University: Compiled a 611 series against Damien.
Darrolyn Gasper, Mililani: Posted a 236 high game and 627 series against Pearl City.
Peter Mochizuki, Hawaii Baptist: Posted a 236 high game and 640 series against Academy of the Pacific.
James Pirtle, Pearl City: Rolled a 229 high game and 607 series against Mililani.
FOOTBALL
Guy Cantrell, Leilehua: Ran 11 times for 152 yards against Nanakuli. Also completed seven of eight passes for 65 yards.
Jeremiah Dela Pena, Kamehameha: Ran for 112 yards vs. Saint Louis.
Lihikai Domingo, Castle: Caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns against Kaimuki.
Cameron Higgins, Saint Louis: Completed 16 of 27 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown vs. Kamehameha.
Bryce Kalauokaaea, Castle: Threw for 220 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions against Kaimuki.
Kiran Kepo'o, Iolani: Completed 13 of 16 passes for 219 yards and four TDs in one half against Pac-Five.
Kali Kuia, Aiea: Completed 12 of 13 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in one half against Pearl City.
Stanford Leti, Moanalua: Rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries against Kalaheo.
Lofa Liilii, Aiea: Scored two touchdowns on the ground and two more through the air against Pearl City. Finished with 133 receiving yards on six catches.
Brad Padayao, Kapolei: Accumulated 340 yards of total offense against Mililani. Completed 17 of 25 passes for 252 yards and rushed 10 times for 88 yards. Scored on runs of 6, 5, 1 and 49 yards.
Kekoa Perbera, Mililani: Ran 27 times for 143 yards and one touchdown against Kapolei.
David Rivers, Mililani: Caught four passes, including two touchdowns of 7 yards each, against Kapolei.
Jon Santiago, Kapolei: Hauled in four passes for 106 yards against Mililani.
Matthew Soueira, Kalaheo: Rushed 24 times for 108 yards and a touchdown against Moanalua.
VOLLEYBALL
Brandi Pupuhi, Roosevelt: Pounded 10 kills in a win at Farrington.
To nominate ...
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com
|