Moanalua breaks into S-B's baseball Top 10
The boys in blue can't always be happy, not when Kailua and Moanalua head for a showdown.
Scott Yamada's Moanalua squad entered the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10 for the first time today at No. 10, but Na Menehune are completely focused on tomorrow's game.
In fact, Moanalua is entering a stretch of games that could define the rest of its season.
"We split our (regular) season into three areas: the first three games, then the next four, and the final three," Yamada said.
Like Kailua, Moanalua wears blue, and like the Surfriders, Na Menehune struggled in nonconference play.
But now Na Menehune are 3-0 in the Oahu interscholastic Association East.
In addition to seventh-ranked Kailua, Moanalua will face the other beasts of the East in Kaiser, Castle and Kalani.
"Now, it's the crucial part," Yamada said. "I feel confident, but on any given day, anybody can beat anybody."
Na Menehune have turned things around after a 4-14 nonconference slate by excelling in the basics.
"We've been executing on defense. Offensively, we're moving the runners over. Our pitchers have been doing the job," he noted.
Senior Kekoa Lee will get the start against seventh-ranked Kailua today. Kenton Miyake and Sean Amorozo, both juniors, have bolstered the starting staff.
Moanalua's youth will be tested against Kailua, which is 4-0 in the OIA East after going 4-16 in nonconference games.
"Corey (Ishigo) always puts out a team that's very competitive," Yamada said. "Nothing changes. Players gotta limit the mental mistakes and not give the other team extra outs."
ILH
THROUGH MARCH 31
Team |
W |
L
|
Punahou |
6 |
0
|
Iolani |
5 |
2
|
Mid-Pacific |
4 |
2
|
Kamehameha |
4 |
2
|
Damien |
3 |
4
|
Saint Louis |
1 |
6
|
Pac-Five |
0 |
7
|
OIA East
THROUGH MARCH 31
Team |
W |
L
|
Kailua |
4 |
0
|
Kaiser |
4 |
0
|
Moanalua |
3 |
0
|
Roosevelt |
2 |
0 |
|
Castle |
2 |
0 |
|
Kalani |
2 |
1
|
Kahuku |
1 |
3 |
|
McKinley |
0 |
3
|
Farrington |
0 |
3
|
Kaimuki |
0 |
4
|
Kalaheo |
0 |
4
|
OIA West
THROUGH MARCH 31
Team |
W |
L
|
Pearl City |
4 |
0
|
Mililani |
4 |
0
|
Aiea |
3 |
0
|
Leilehua |
3 |
1
|
Kapolei |
2 |
2
|
Waianae |
2 |
1
|
Waialua |
1 |
2
|
Campbell |
1 |
2
|
Radford |
0 |
4
|
Waipahu |
0 |
4
|
Nanakuli |
0 |
4
|