High School Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Punahou boys, Farrington girls look strong at Kahuku meet
Kahuku is the state defending champion in boys and girls wrestling, but coach Reggie Torres saw exactly where his teams stand over the weekend.
Punahou came away with the best boys performances at a meet in Kahuku's Walker Gymnasium.
"Punahou's the team to beat. They've got three returning champs and a lot of kids who placed second," Torres said. "We're trying to get there. We're a work in progress right now. We're trying to develop them, but it all depends."
The Red Raider boys were seasoned and skilled last year. The current team could hit its peak a year from now.
"This team reminds me of not last year's team, but the year before. We had young lightweights, and last year they matured and became good for us," Torres said. "This year, they're taking a beating until they get better."
One of the highlights of the tourney for Punahou was Josh Plechaty's win over Richard Torres in the 145-pound weight class. It was Plechaty's first win over Torres in four meetings this season.
Standouts for Kahuku include Roger Ramones (103), Ira Caty (171), Damon Carr (189) and Torres.
Torres, who is in his 18th year of coaching, said that the youngsters in his program will be fine once they mature physically, but that might not be soon. Opponents who have fewer Polynesian wrestlers are at an advantage if their athletes are experienced and older.
"Asian kids, they stop growing and their body structure fills out at a younger age," he said. "Polynesian kids are still filling out. They start out (as freshmen) at 130 and they finish their career at 189. Until then, they're trying to catch up."
Farrington's girls team, he noted, is exceptional once again. The Lady Governors defeated Kahuku, thanks in large part to four standout grapplers: Taylor Ibera (98), Samantha Batoon (108), Tani Bader (120) and Ashley Lilo (175).
"They all impressed me. I'll tell you what, they have the possibility of winning their weight classes," Torres said, adding that Iolani is very tough in the lightweight divisions.
For Torres, who is also head coach in football and judo, the year-round work has its benefits.
"My son (Richard) has to lose weight, so I end up eating healthy, too," he said of a rice-free diet. "I dropped almost 10 pounds."
Getting defensive:
Saint Louis sophomore
Cole Shidaki hasn't rung up a lot of big offensive stats, but his role with the Crusaders basketball team is especially appreciated by his coach.
"He's doing a fine job of running our offense," coach Delbert Tengan said of Shidaki, who came up big with a pair of clutch shots in the final minutes of a 51-48 win over Iolani on Saturday.
Shidaki's best work so far, though, has been on defense.
"He did a good job controlling (Rykin) Enos (of Kamehameha) and (Liloa) Nobriga (of Iolani)," Tengan said. "That takes a lot of his energy from the offensive side."
Enos, an All-State Fab 15 selection last year, shot 2-for-11 from the field and finished with seven points. Nobriga wound up with eight points on 4-for-7 shooting.
Hard times, good times:
Kamehameha cornerback
Brandon Hardin struggled to make a choice for college, but when he made his decision on Sunday, he was at peace. The 6-foot-2 1/2, 190-pound senior chose Oregon State over Hawaii. He made his decision while visiting the Beavers' campus over the weekend.
"That was a really hard decision. I was planning to come home and think about it, then take UH's visit and compare the two. I felt like it was a decision I had to make," Hardin said. "(Hawaii assistant) coach (Rich) Miano, he's super cool. He's been real nice to me, that's why I feel bad.
"It's a big stress reliever. It's kind of sad, letting down the home crowd, but it seemed like the right place for me up there," the All-State first-team pick said. The Corvallis campus, or its students, rather, left Hardin with a homey feeling.
"There's a big Hawaii population up there as far as students. This next year, they're expecting a lot more. It's almost a home away from home," he said. "In the dorms, there's kids playing ukulele in the hall."
UH and Oregon State were the only ones who offered scholarships to Hardin. "I called and left a message to (Miano). That was a tough decision because I would've loved to play at home, but up there I fit in place. It gives me a chance to grow, and the academics up there, they have some stuff I'm looking into," Hardin said.
Athletes of the Week
BOYS
Tristan Sealy, Thompson basketball: had 26 points and six rebounds against Waipahu and 25 points in a win at Farrington.
GIRLS
Tabitha Eseroma, Kamehameha-Hawaii softball: Went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three stolen bases in a win over Kealakehe.
Honor Roll
BASKETBALL
Beau Albrechtson, Kaimuki: scored 24 points in a win over Kahuku.
Stevie Austin, Moanalua: scored 22 points in a win at Roosevelt.
Alika Borabora, Lanakila Baptist: scored 24 points against Punahou II.
Jon Cheng, Kalani: scored 21 points, including four of his team's 12 3-pointers, in a loss to Aiea.
Josh Chung, Aiea: scored 20 points in a win at Kalani.
Keoni Daniel, Academy of the Pacific: scored 20 points against Christian Academy.
Robert Donley, Waipahu: scored 20 points with 11 rebounds in a win over Thompson.
Kent Graham, Hawaii Prep: scored 24 points against Laupahoehoe.
Marcus Holyfield, Mid-Pacific: scored 23 points in a loss at Punahou.
Jason Ko, Christian Academy: scored 20 points in a win over Le Jardin.
Joshua Ko, Christian Academy: scored 22 points against Le Jardin.
Kealoha Kramer, Kamehameha-Hawaii: scored 20 points in a win over Waiakea.
Jesse Lafua, Waianae: scored 24 points against Radford.
Art Laurel, Leilehua: scored 23 points in a win at Pearl City.
Case Miyahira, Iolani: scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Damien.
Marc Nacapuy, Waialua: scored 29 points in a loss to Aiea.
Jason Nutter, Roosevelt: scored 24 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Castle.
Miah Ostrowski, Punahou: scored 23 points in a win over Mid-Pacific.
Keone Reyes, Kaimuki: scored 20 points in a win at Castle.
Paul Salvador, Lahainaluna: scored 23 points, including four treys, in a win at Maui.
Brent Sanbei, Waiakea: scored 20 points in a win at Pahoa.
Gary Satterwhite, Radford: scored 21 points vs. Mililani.
Jeremiah Silva, King Kekaulike: scored 21 points against Kamehameha-Maui.
Jonathan Viernes, Pahoa: scored 25 points against Waiakea.
SOCCER
Carl Gibson, Iolani: scored three goals in a win over Damien.
Chazmyne Morgan, Nanakuli: scored three goals against Waipahu.
Jacqueline Watkins, Aiea: scored three goals in a win over Waianae.
SOFTBALL
Joslyn Eugenio, Sacred Hearts: went 2-for-4, including a go-ahead three-run triple in the seventh inning, against Mid-Pacific. Also went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against Maryknoll.
Shaleese Javillo, Kamehameha: went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs against Iolani.
Hoku Nohara, Kamehameha: went 3-for-4 with two triples against Iolani.
Kimi Okaneku, Maryknoll: went 3-for-4 vs. Sacred Hearts.
Sarah Robinson, Moanalua: hurled a three-hit shutout and hit a home run in a win over Kalani. She also struck out five batters.
Rayna Strom-Okimoto, Aiea: went 4-for-4 with two triples against Leilehua.
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
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
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