There's good news to go along with the bad news that came out of Waiakea High School last week. Waiakea wins
BIIF opener with help
from 8 JV playersBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comTwelve boys were dismissed from the varsity basketball team for violating school rules, but eight boys were brought up from the junior varsity team to play the season opener against St. Joseph.
The pack of sophomores and freshmen defeated their Big Island Interscholastic Federation foes 58-46.
"It was a testament to the quality of our program, and it shows what a fine job the coaches at the JV level have been doing all year long," Warriors coach Jay Bartholomew said. "The players were confident in their ability to compete at the varsity level and they took on the responsibility to earn the respect of the varsity players and honor them. We're a close-knit group."
Parents of the varsity players will approach principal Ron Furukawa to appeal athletic director Ken Yamase's blanket dismissal of all 12 players for suspected alcohol use.
"I approached the players and they admitted it to me," Bartholomew said. "Most likely, there were different levels of responsibility and participation, and that's what the parents are concerned about."
The alcohol-use incident allegedly occurred at a Waikiki hotel while the Warriors were on Oahu to play preseason games against Castle and Moanalua.
Sophomore shooting guard Jon Moniz scored 26 points to lead the JV-turned-varsity Warriors in the victory over the Cardinals, while freshman guard Scott Ichinotsubo pumped in 15 points, including several key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Sophomores Jaime Guttierez, Jason Mattos, Bryce Ewing, Matt Uohara and Reed Akashi, and freshman Jeremy Tekurio also contributed.
If the varsity players aren't reinstated, the eight JV boys will continue playing up a level. The JV team still has seven other players, so its season isn't in jeopardy.
"The varsity boys are doing well," Bartholomew said. "It's been a very valuable lesson. They know they've made a mistake. They want a chance to show everybody they're not bad kids. They're good kids and most people say they deserve a second chance.
"So far, everybody has done the right thing -- the players for admitting the mistake, the coaches, the athletic director and the parents. We all want what's best for the kids.
"And I'm sure the principal will make a decision based on the facts, be fair and do what he thinks is the right thing."
Kicking it up a notch: Some interesting Oahu Interscholastic Association soccer matches are coming up.
Defending state girls champion Mililani (3-0-1) hosted Aiea (4-0-0) yesterday, and the Trojans will be off to Wahiawa to meet Leilehua (4-0-0) on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Two key Eastern Division games are scheduled for Saturday, as the Kaiser boys (3-1) visit Kalaheo (4-0-1) at 3:45 p.m., while the Kailua girls (3-0-2) entertain Castle (3-0-1) at 2.
The defending state champion Mililani boys (3-0-0) could be headed for a titanic Western Division clash at Campbell (4-0-1) next Tuesday, especially if both teams remain undefeated through this week.
MPI seeks coach: Mid-Pacific Institute is accepting resumes for a girls varsity volleyball head coach.
The deadline to send a resume is Jan. 31. Resumes can be e-mailed to bvilla@midpac.edu or faxed to 973-5086.
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Athletes of the Week
BOYS
>> Jimmy Miyasaka, Kaimuki basketball: Poured in 30 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 89-67 victory over Kahuku in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division opener for both teams.
GIRLS
>> Lindsay Fujita, Punahou softball: Hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs in the Buffanblu's 14-2 Interscholastic League of Honolulu win over Maryknoll.
Honor Roll
BASKETBALL
>> Theodore Fujita-Lukachyk, Kalaheo: Nailed three 3-point shots in the Mustangs' 32-point fourth quarter as Kalaheo defeated McKinley 67-42.
>> Shosei Yamauchi, Kahuku: Scored 20 points in the Red Raiders' loss to Kaimuki.
>> Simeon Tavares, Mililani: Scored 21 points in a 65-44 win over Nanakuli.
>> Ranson DeCosta, Damien: Hit five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points in a 72-57 loss to Saint Louis.
>> Jonah Lakatani, Saint Louis: Scored 22 points, hitting four 3-pointers, to lead the Crusaders past Damien.
>> Tauran Moore, Radford: Hit for 18 points in the Rams' 69-44 win over Waialua.
>> Kendrick Sanders, Ka'u: Scored 16 points to lead the Trojans to a 67-54 upset of Hilo in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.
BOYS SOCCER
>> Whitney Shimatsu, Mililani: Scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Pearl City.
>> Max Anton, Kalaheo: Booted both of the Mustangs' goals in a 2-0 win over Kahuku.
>> Kea Hashimoto, Kapolei: Scored three goals in the Hurricanes' 6-0 win over Waialua.
GIRLS SOCCER
>> Annie Lanoza, Leilehua: Scored two goals as the Mules defeated Waipahu 2-0.
SOFTBALL
>> Lia Pedrina, Castle: Tossed a two-hit shutout in the Knights' 4-0 win over Moanalua.
>> Courtney Kessell, Kailua: Struck out 12 batters in an 8-0 win over Kaimuki.
>> Jenna Sylva, Campbell: Hammered three doubles and picked up the win in the Sabers' 10-2 victory over Aiea.
>> Charity Senas and Miki Asamura, Mililani: Combined to drive in 10 runs in the Trojans' 31-0 win over Radford.
>> Austi Paris, Kapolei: Drove in six runs in the Hurricanes' 17-3 win over Waipahu.
SWIMMING
>> Raelynn Gaspar-Asaoka, Mililani: Won the 100-yard backstroke and 100 butterfly and swam on three victorious relay teams at last week's OIA meet.
>> Jonathan Ching, Roosevelt: Won the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke and helped the Rough Riders to a win in the 200 freestyle relay at the OIA meet.
>> Twelve Hawaii wrestlers have won state championships in three consecutive years -- Tatsuhiko Hikiji, Kaimuki (1968-70); Tuinanau Ala, Waianae (1969-71); Leigh Tonai, Baldwin (1973-75); Willie Kamakana, Punahou (1976-77) and Kaiser ('78); Yoshi Honda, Radford (1981-83); Kale Flagg, Iolani (1983-85); Ben Terukina, Campbell (1984-86); Kevin Bellefeuille, Saint Louis (1987-89); Lawrence Lee, Saint Louis (1987-89); Spencer Sequin, Saint Louis (1996-98); Travis Lee, Saint Louis (1999-2001); Jonathan Spiker, Saint Louis (2000-02). Now You Know
Only Patrick Higa of Iolani has won four state championships (1983-86). Spiker is in his senior season at Saint Louis.
Source: Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday: To nominate ...
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com
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