The Interscholastic League of Honolulu volleyball season heats up this weekend with several marquee matchups. Narkon, Kamana‘o
lead St. Francis, Iolani into
ILH volleyball openersBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comSt. Francis, which advanced to last year's state championship game, takes on Iolani in a girls volleyball showdown at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Raiders' gym.
St. Francis is led by middle blocker Elizabeth Narkon, who was named to last year's All-State first team. Iolani returns six starters from a team that finished third in the ILH last year, including junior setter Kanoe Kamana'o who recently returned from a tournament with the Junior National team.
On Saturday, the Punahou and Kamehameha boys teams meet at 1:30 p.m. at Hemmeter Fieldhouse in a rematch of last season's state championship match. The Buffanblu are seeking their eighth consecutive state crown.
The boys contest will be followed by a match between the schools' girls teams at 3 p.m. as Punahou begins defense of its state girls championship.
The Oahu Interscholastic Association volleyball season opens Sept. 13 for the Western Division and Sept. 15 for the Eastern Division.
Running start
The ILH cross country season opens Saturday with a nonscoring meet at Iolani. The races start at 3 p.m.The season continues with meets every Saturday until the ILH championships on Nov. 3. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association championship will be held Nov. 10 at Kauai Community College.
The OIA season opens Sept. 15.
Kuna in LA
Former Punahou football standout Nainoa Kuna will begin his senior season at Westchester High in Los Angeles Friday night against the top high school team in the country.Kuna transferred from Punahou to Westchester last month and will be in the starting lineup when the Comets face Long Beach Poly, which is ranked first in the nation by USA Today. The game will be televised live by Fox Sports West (Oceanic Cable channel 21) at 4:30 p.m.
Kuna, who enrolled at Westchester last month, will start at receiver and is slated to return kicks. He moved to Culver City last month and is staying with family there. His father, Steve Kuna, said his job will be taking him to Los Angeles and he will soon join his son in California.
"We think this is a marvelous opportunity for him to grow culturally," said Steve Kuna, who will attend this week's game in Long Beach.
Steve Kuna said Nainoa's decision to transfer to Westchester, a public school in urban Los Angeles, was difficult, but the experience of moving away has already paid off.
"It's a decision that has united us as a family," he said. "And we've seen so much growth in our son in just the past month. ... Usually you see growth in inches, now you see it in yards."
Steve Kuna said Nainoa is hoping to return in the spring to graduate from Punahou.
Another former Punahou receiver, Kenny Patton, is attending a school in Pasadena.
ILH influence at Castle
The early season success of the Castle football squad can be traced to the influx of players trained in private school programs.Quarterback Joel Botelho, slotbacks Ikaika Ho and Treston Kaneao and defensive back Jared Prestidge were all members of the St. Louis program before enrolling at Castle. Botelho accounted for 455 yards in total offense last week against Waianae, while Ho scored three touchdowns.
"Although their experience at St. Louis has been primarily limited to the freshman team, I think by going there and experiencing a first class program ... they have an idea of what it takes to become a winner," said Castle coach Nelson Maeda.
The Knights also got a boost when Bronson Melemai transferred to Castle last week. Melemai was an ILH all-star defensive back last season and made an immediate impact for the Knights last week by blocking a punt late in the game.
"He brings that quiet demeanor, that Father Bray presence that Iolani stands for," Maeda said. "All the Iolani kids are the same way -- quiet, coachable, with the same calm, cool demeanor. Bronson brings that same type of demeanor from Iolani to Castle."
This weekend's football
TODAY
MIL
Maui vs. St. Anthony, at King Kekaulike, 7:30 p.m.
TOMORROW
OIA
Junior varsity games start at 5 p.m. with varsity games to follow
Kaimuki vs. Farrington, at Roosevelt
McKinley at Castle
Waianae at Kailua
Moanalua at Kaiser
Roosevelt at Waialua
Waipahu at Aiea
Kapolei at Pearl City (JV only)
ILH
At Aloha Stadium
Damien vs. Iolani, 4:45 p.m.
St. Louis vs. Punahou, 7:30 p.m.
BIIF
Kohala at Hilo, 7 p.m.
Hawaii Prep at Kealakehe, 7 p.m.
KIF
Kauai vs. Waimea, 7:30 p.m.
MIL
Lahainaluna at King Kekaulike, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
OIA
Junior varsity games start at 5 p.m. with varsity games to follow
Campbell at Leilehua
Kahuku at Mililani
Kalaheo vs. Kalani, at Kaiser
Nanakuli at Radford
BIIF
Waiakea at Keaau, JV at 5 p.m., varsity to follow
Konawaena at Pahoa, 1 p.m.
Hawaii School Web Sites