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Friday, June 16, 2000
Ken and Apana Nakayama of
Complete team listings By Dave Reardon
the Molokai Farmers are Player
and Coach of the Year in the
Star-Bulletin's All-State
Baseball Team
Star-BulletinAccepting the tools of ignorance was a brilliant move for Apana Nakayama.
Three years ago, Ken Nakayama asked a favor of his son.
"I told him I need a catcher," the longtime Molokai baseball coach said.
Always eager to please dad, Apana gladly accepted the mask, chest protector, shin guards and mitt. He also took on the less literal burdens that go with the sport's most demanding position.
And he thrived under the pressure, especially this season.
Apana controlled his team defensively, calling every pitch thrown by the Molokai pitchers. That's when he wasn't whacking opponents' pitches and batting .510.
For his all-around excellence, Apana Nakayama leads the Star-Bulletin's All-State Baseball Team as Player of the Year.
His father, Ken Nakayama, is Coach of the Year for fending off the best the Maui Interscholastic League and the rest of Hawaii had to offer as Molokai successfully defended its state championship.Now the Nakayamas will leave the Friendly Isle, and (after a stint this summer with the Hawaii Island Movers) probably the state, for other challenges. They'll be missed, even by rivals.
"They're great people," Iolani coach Dean Yonamine said. "It will be sad to see them not a part of high school baseball in Hawaii next year. Very classy people."
Ken, 59, searches for new opportunities as an assistant college coach after 26 years at the Farmers' helm.
Apana said he will likely accept a scholarship at BYU or Nebraska. Although not the prototypical college or pro catcher at 5-feet-10, 180 pounds, he hopes to remain behind the plate.
"I love playing catcher," Apana said. "It's the most fun position because you're always in the game. I want to keep playing there and find out how good I can become."
Ken said Apana grew into the position because it fits his personality as a good learner and hard worker.
"He listens to anyone who's caught before," Ken said. "Being a good student makes him a good catcher with strong fundamentals."
Apana said year-round weight-training and the paternal and fraternal pushes of Ken and Pat (Apana's older brother, a Molokai assistant coach) helped him reach his high school potential.
"It was hard sometimes, because he's my dad, so every time at home he was on top of me, too, to be a leader, to set an example," Apana said. "But it was good. He and Pat always kept me focused, and I kind of like that. The most important thing he taught me was to keep the faith, win or lose."
Ken said he knew Apana could handle the added stress of being a coach's son.
"At times it was difficult, because the discipline was harder on him than the other boys," Ken said. "But he never complained and always went through with what he had to do. The harder I was on him, the better he became. He's just a hard worker, period."
The rest of the Star-Bulletin All-State Baseball Team, which was chosen after consultation with coaches from around the state:
RODNEY CHOY FOO, Senior, SHORTSTOP, KAILUA: The OIA East Player of the Year led the Surfriders to the division and league championships with hitting, power, speed and defense.
He was drafted in the 26th round by the Cleveland Indians.
KELII ALCON, JUNIOR, UTILITY, MOLOKAI: One of the best natural athletes in the state, batted .382 in the MIL. Homered twice in the state tournament while going 4-for-8 with six runs.
JOHNNY RAY DUDOIT, senior, THIRD BASEMAN, MOLOKAI: Batted .431 with a league-leading three homers in the MIL and went 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Homered in the state championship game and saved it on the mound.
Micah Furtado, senior, second baseman, Kapaa: The KIF Player of the Year shined in the state tournament, with two triples and sparkling defense.
RYAN ISHIZU, senior, outfielder, iolani: Led the ILH with a .465 batting average, including several game-winning hits as the Raiders drove toward the league tournament championship.
Kahi Kaanoi, senior, pitcher, Kamehameha: The state's most dominant pitcher went 8-1 in the ILH with a 1.42 ERA.
His 95-mph fastball earned him a ticket to the pro ranks, as a seventh-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals.
SHELDON KAMOHAI, Senior, pitcher, hilo: Kamohai, who died unexpectedly April 14, was the heart of the Vikings. As a pitcher, he went 8-0, pitching all the tough games. He was also Hilo's top hitter.
Before Kamohai's passing, Hilo was headed toward the BIIF championship. After, they weren't the same.
TYLER PERKINS, SOPHOMORE, OUTFIELDER, KAMEHAMEHA: The fastest player in the state batted .381 in the ILH and went 5-for-7 with three doubles in the state tournament.
Reid Santos, senior, pitcher, Castle: A left-hander drafted in the 23rd round by the Montreal Expos, he went 7-0 with a 0.44 ERA, striking out 75 in 48 innings. Santos struck out 10 and walked none in shutting out Baldwin in the state tournament.
BRONSON SARDINHA, junior, designated hitter, kamehameha: The Warriors' shortstop and No. 3 hitter batted .368 in the ILH, and was named the state tournament's outstanding player after going 6-for-10 with six RBIs.
Mark Soriano, senior, outfielder, Leilehua: One of the most feared hitters in the state helped lead the Mules to the OIA West championship. Went 3-for-3 in a state tournament game against Castle.
His grandslam sparked a key regular-season comeback victory over Waianae.
Blaine Umeda, junior, first baseman, Iolani: Batted .353 in the ILH, and heated up in the postseason with hits in seven consecutive at-bats in the ILH championship game and state tournament.
HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN
All-State baseball team
Regional: BIIF | ILH | KIF | MIF | OIA East | OIA West
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NAME SCHOOL OF NOTE Apana Nakayama Molokai Catcher; batted .510
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ken Nakayama Molokai Farmers repeat as state champs
FIRST TEAM
Position Name School Class P Kahi Kaanoi Kamehameha 12 P Sheldon Kamohai Hilo 12 P Reid Santos Castle 12 C Apana Nakayama Molokai 12 1B Blaine Umeda Iolani 11 2B Micah Furtado Kapaa 12 SS Rodney Choy Foo Kailua 12 3B Johnny Ray Dudoit Molokai 12 OF Ryan Ishizu Iolani 12 OF Tyler Perkins Kamehameha 10 OF Mark Soriano Leilehua 12 DH Bronson Sardinha Kamehameha 11 U Kelii Alcon Molokai 11
SECOND TEAM
P: David Horswill, Kailua, 12; Reid Matsushima, Punahou, 11; Ikaika Place, Molokai, 11; C: Kurt Suzuki, Baldwin, 11; 1B: Josh Jones, Leilehua, 11; 2B: Keiki Albino, Molokai, 12; SS: Tyler Kimura, Iolani, 12; 3B: Brad Takamori, Iolani, 11; OF: Derek Costigan, Mililani, 12; Ikaika Lester, Molokai, 10; Keoki Telles, Waianae, 12; DH: Kila Ka'aihue, Iolani, 10; U: Jacob Sur, Radford, 12.
THIRD TEAM
P: Ikaika Faraon, Molokai, 12; Kaleo Lopez, Kapaa, 12, Hubert Pruett, Kamehameha, 11; C: Michael Cabral, Campbell, 12; 1B: Alika Kuraoka, Kamehameha, 11; 2B: Jason Teruya, Iolani, 12; SS: Colin Kaneshiro, Castle, 12; 3B: Jason Taniguchi, Castle, 12; OF: Kelii Correa, Kamehameha, 11; Joshua Martin, Kamehameha, 12; Gerald Welch, St. Louis, 12; DH: Sean Paiva, St. Louis, 12; U: Kawika Kekaula, Kailua, 11.
HONORABLE MENTION
Sabino Aguinaldo (Campbell), Gary Ahu Jr. (Hilo), Jay Baptista (Leilehua), Xavier Bicoy (Molokai), Keola Casamina (Mililani), William Clifton (Leilehua), Paul Collins (Castle), Ryan Exstrom (Kailua), Lance Fujii (Baldwin), Ryan Hanohano (Waiakea), Kevin Kam (Iolani), Robert Merkel (Kapaa), Travis Mitsuda (Iolani), Allen Mundon (Kapaa), Daniel Murray (Hilo), Gavin Ng (Mililani), Gainor Nitta (Mililani), Sean Paiva (St. Louis), Jorey Pearce (Kailua), Keahi Rawlins (Molokai), Willie Reyes (Molokai), Bryan Tanabe (Mid-Pacific), Brandon Taylor (Leilehua), Ian Wai (Castle), Ethan Wayne (Iolani), Brent Wong (Iolani), Corey Yamamoto (Iolani), Kai Yamashita (Kamehameha).
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
(selected by BIIF coaches)Player of the Year
Sheldon Kamohai, Hilo
Coach of the Year
Gary Ahu Sr., St. Joseph
First Team
1B: Ryan Hanohano, Waiakea; 2B: Aaron Carvalho, Hilo; SS: Gary Ahu Jr., Hilo; 3B: Shannon Otani, Waiakea; OF: Daniel Murray, Hilo; Kalai Decker, Waiakea; Dustin Yamamoto, Waiakea; C: Chad Watanabe, Waiakea; P: Sheldon Kamohai, Hilo; Kallen Hiraishi, Konawaena; U: James Onaga, St. Joseph.
Second Team
1B: Dustin Chun, Hilo; 2B: Jaime Masukawa, Konawaena; SS: Mike Seto Jr., St. Joseph; 3B: Mark Nishimura, Hilo; OF: Joshua Martin, Konawaena; Greg Okumura, Konawaena; Travis Shiraishi, Konawaena; C: Bryson Marquez, Konawaena; P: Bruce Nagata, Waiakea; Eric Tao, Waiakea; U: Daniel Leite, Waiakea.
Honorable Mention
Hilo: Calavin Crum, Brandon Moke, Kaine Charleston, Matt DeCoito, Wesley Martinez. Honokaa: Mark Saito, Edward Aldridge, Steven Salera. HPA: Kaiao Archer, Stacy Pung, Bully Fergerstrom. Ka'u: Blayne Castillo. Kealakehe: Morgan Kruger-Burgess, Lance Iranon. Kohala: Elliot Naito. Kona: Von Weimer, Matt Paranial, Kellen Iwane. Pahoa: Jake Alicuben, Greg Lucas, Brock Lucas, Kealoha Kaawaloa. Waiakea: Thomas Mahaulu, Brandon Koga.
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
Player of the Year
Kahi Kaanoi, Kamehameha
Coach of the Year
Vern Ramie, Kamehameha
First team
1B: Alika Kuraoka, Kamehameha; 2B: Jason Teruya, Iolani; 3B: Brad Takamori, Iolani; SS: Bronson Sardinha; Kamehameha; OF: Tyler Perkins, Kamehameha; Kelii Correa, Kamehameha; Ryan Ishizu, Iolani; C: Bryan Tanabe, Mid-Pacific; U: Reid Matsushima, Punahou; DH: Kila Ka'aihue, Iolani; P: Kahi Kaanoi, Kamehameha; Corey Yamamoto, Iolani.
Second team
1B: Blaine Umeda, Iolani; 2B: Ikaika DuPont, Kamehameha; 3B: Dane Marcouiller, Mid-Pacific; SS: Tyler Kimura, Iolani; OF: Gerald Welch, St. Louis; Kevin Khan, Mid-Pacific; Kevin Kam, Iolani; C: Kai Yamashita, Kamehameha; DH: Sean Paiva; U: Hubert Pruett, Kamehameha. P: Ricky Bauer, Mid-Pacific; Ethan Wayne, Iolani.
Honorable mention
Damien: Stean Abe, Matt DeRego, Bobby Haruno, Matt Higa, Ryan Lancaster, Brandon Tamanaha. Iolani: Travis McGaughy, Travis Mitsuda, Rich Olsen, Brent Wong. Kamehameha: Joshua Martin, Eli McAngus. Maryknoll: Brandon Higa, Ryan Randall, Reily Maeda, Sean Ortiz, Caz Hatanaka. Mid-Pacific: Reid Asato, Keric Chang, Darrow Hom, Troy Kanemura, Eric Lum, Isaac Omura, Ryan Tamashiro, Shane Toguchi, Ikaika Upchurch, Kyle Yanabu. Punahou: Josh Cardwell, Brent Chock, Chuck Fujita, Ryan Kitamura, Ryan Komagome, Ryan Murashige, Nick Sekiya, Doug Shimokawa, Dainon Steiner, Lance Yoshihara. St. Louis: Isaac Harbottle, Kalvin Koverman, Jovaustin Murray-Thornton, Devin Oshiro. University/Hawaii Baptist: Kyle Abe, Scott Batula, Chas Hirata, Aaron Kano, Jon Kano, Ryan Monico, Nolan Sakai, Korey Shinagawa, Kevin Yamada, Kory Yonamoto.
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
(selected by KIF coaches, officials and media)Player of the Year
Micah Furtado, Kapaa
Coach of the Year
Shannon Masada, Kapaa
First Team
P: Kaleo Lopez, Kapaa; C: Robert Merkel, Kapaa; 1B: Mark Rodrigues, Kauai; 2B: Micah Furtado, Kapaa; 3B: Allen Mundon, Kapaa; SS: Justin Matsukawa, Kapaa; OF: Ikaika Pezario, Kapaa; Tyler Kobayashi, Kauai; Branden Bonilla, Kapaa; U: Jason Koga, Kauai.
Maui Interscholatic Federation
(selected by The Maui News)Player of the Year
Apana Nakayama, Molokai
Pitcher of the Year
Ikaika Place, Molokai
Coach of the Year
Ken Nakayama, Molokai
First Team
1B: Lance Fujii, Baldwin; 2B: Keiki Albino, Molokai; SS: Royce Fukuroku, Maui; 3B: Johnny Ray Dudoit, Molokai; OF: Xavier Bicoy, Molokai; Nolan Wada, Baldwin; Ross Shinyama, Baldwin; C: Apana Nakayama, Molokai; SP: Ikaika Place, Molokai. RP: Jason Miyahira, Baldwin.
Second Team
1B: Keahi Rawlins, Molokai; 2B: Gered Mochizuki, Baldwin; SS: Kelii Alcon, Molokai; 3B: Tyson Higa, Baldwin; OF: Wai Dancil, King Kekaulike; Chad Hashimoto, King Kekaulike; Vinnie Souki, King Kekaulike; C: Apana Nakayama, Molokai; SP: Ikaika Place, Molokai. RP: Jason Miyahira, Baldwin.
Honorable Mention
Baldwin: Mason Tabata, Keola Birano. King Kekaulike: Curt Hashimoto. Lanai: Jaime Alboro, Ikaika Neizman, Jeremy Paet. Maui: Kyle Shimizu, Brandon Arakawa, Grant Nakama, Manu Kaina, Ikaika Lau Hee, Chad Takahashi. Molokai: Willie Reyes, Keawe Puhi. .St. Anthony: Ikaika Campos, Kevin Ault. Seabury: Chad Aldrich.
Oahu Interscholastic Association East
(selected by OIA East coaches)Player of the Year
Rodney Choy Foo, Kailua
Coach of the Year
Corey Ishigo, Kailua
First Team
1B: Paul Collins, Castle; 2B: Travis Teshima, Kailua; 3B: Fred Kaluna, Kaimuki; SS: Rodney Choy Foo, Kailua; OF: Keala Fujimori, Kalani; Ian Wai, Castle; Daniel Heu, Kaiser; C: Michael Garcia, Kalaheo; P: Reid Santos, Castle; David Horswill, Kailua; U: Alan Imamura, Roosevelt; DH: Colin Kaneshiro, Castle.
Second Team
1B: Ryan Exstrom, Kailua; 2B: Jordan Tom, Castle; 3B: Jay Kekaula, Kailua; SS: David Chu, Kaiser; OF: Max Pearce, Kailua; Micah Alexander, Farrington; Michael Cathcart, Kailua; C: Travis Canonizado, Kalani; P: David Kurahashi, McKinley; Ikaika Hollinger, Kalaheo; U: Reid Yoshikawa, Kaimuki; DH: Chad Kapanui, Roosevelt.
Honorable Mention
Castle: Russell Kimura, Anthony Haugen, Jason Taniguchi, Zachary Wong. Farrington: Brandon Parras, Michael Rabago, Pat Uejo, Shaun Tabil, Quentin Walker, Bronson Chun, Shannon Aqui. Kailua: Thomas Ho, Kaipo Piimauna, Jonah Mokulehua, Daniel Burgess, Travis Hayashida, Justin Marshall. Kaimuki: Brandon Hayashida, Leland Ohelo, Kawika Nunes, Richard Ferguson, Scott Arakaki, Jordan Caires. Kaiser: John Kugisaki, Nathan Ota, Ross Furuhashi, Todd Nishihara, Eric Ching, Brad Bernard, Blake Sato, Ian Matsuda, Jason Peters. .Kalaheo: Shane Harada, Chris Rego, Aren Viveiros, Chase Woods, Jeremy Garcia. Kalani: Brandon Tanaka, Marcus Murakami, Kellen Muraoka, Isaac Arasato, Grant Arakaki, Justin Virtudes, Ross Kohara, Kendall Prochnow, Shane Pamatigan, Brandon Ponce. McKinley: George Bautista, Jordan Kurahara, Reid Goto, Ka'ipo Avilez. Roosevelt: : Ryan Kotani, Joey Shimabuku, Cory Higa, Booth Kiyota, Regan Ching, Chris Mols, Todd Inouye, Chad Owens.
Oahu Interscholastic Association West
(selected by OIA West coaches)Player of the Year
Joshua Jones, Leilehua
Coach of the Year
Garrett Yukumoto, Leilehua
First Team
1B: Egerton Westbrook, Waianae; 2B: William Clifton, Leilehua; 3B: Keith Matsumura, Aiea; SS: Jacob Sur, Radford; OF: Derek Costigan, Mililani; Shannon Telles, Waianae; Gavin Ng, Mililani; C: Jay Baptista, Leilehua; P: Joshua Jones, Leilehua; Keola Casamina, Mililani; U: Cheyne Todani, Leilehua; DH: Abe Manutai, Moanalua.
Second Team
1B: Matthew Omalza, Leilehua; 2B: Skip Saito, Aiea; 3B: Galenn Nitta, Mililani; SS: Sabino Aguinaldo, Campbell; OF: Kelan Morisawa,Pearl City; Mark Soriano, Leilehua; Brandon Taylor, Leilehua; C: Michael Cabral, Campbell; P: Gainor Nitta, Mililani; Chad Bailey, Campbell; U: Colby Kagawa, Aiea; DH: Blane Kagamida, Pearl City.
Honorable Mention
Aiea: Paul Yoshida, Reid Kubota, Kevin Enomoto, Ross Akimoto, Casey Onaga, Chase Nakamura, Reid Shimogawa, Callan Saito, Brendan Tottori, Lee Ormita. Campbell: Keahi Kapana, Bryce Miyashiro, Fred Donald, Garrett Hermosura, Kyle Nakama, Eddie Tangjian. Leilehua: Matthew Cabalse, Ryan Paderes, John Dolac. Mililani: Bryce Watanabe, Drew Kadokawa, Cy Donald, Tyler Aoki, Kurt Miyahara, Jourdan Kaneshiro. Moanalua: Bret Sugiyama, Russ Fukushima, Jordan Yanaga, Jon Radke, Neil Manutai, James Stromback. Nanakuli: Junius Wong, Clyde Asinsin, Maka Vickers, Eugene Winchester. Pearl City: Gavin Concepcion, Jay Egusa, Kerry Sato, Ladd Torigoe, Alan Kunihisa, Robin Miyataki, Jeffry Iwata, Erik Mizoshiri. Radford: Richard Killen, Josiah Huelle, Lopaka Kia, Daniel Arcilla, Alexander Tabangcura, Derek Overfield. Waialua: Calvin Kawai, Lee Matsuura. Waianae: Peter Sarono, Brian Gaspar, Wesley Lopes, Walter Kamai, Jonah Nunuha, Jacob Galariada, Jeremy Bright, Alvin Sabagala. Waipahu: Jaryd Kiyabu, Guysen Pauline, Michael Menor.
