DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mililani captains Brent Murakami, Nathan Amous and Whitney Shimatsu led a confident squad to the state title last Saturday.
Yellow is a big color for the Mililani Trojans, but that doesn't mean they're yellow-bellied. Confidence was key
Athletes of the Week
ingredient for Trojans
1-track mind for soccerBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comQuite the opposite. The Trojans, who won their third straight state boys soccer championship last Saturday, brim with confidence.
After coach Jeff Yamamoto had a few minutes to let the 2-1 double-overtime victory over Punahou sink in, he pointed to confidence as the force that guided his black and yellow-clad team through.
One of the team's key players, goalkeeper Darren Smith, also mentioned the squad's self-assuredness in the face of a possible failure.
"We're a very confident team and the defense, especially, was very confident in what we could do," said Smith, who plays with a flowing, graceful style. He also talked about the close friendship among all the teammates as a motivator.
Funny as it may seem, Smith considers an inanimate object -- the goal he defends -- as his friend.
"It started when I was little, thinking of the net as my friend and the ball as my enemy," he said.
Smith said the attitude of the team's three captains -- Whitney Shimatsu, Brent Murakami and Nathan Amous -- was also a major force in the drive to the championship.
Shimatsu scored both goals against the Buffanblu.
"Whitney would always say, 'Do it for the seniors and let them go out with a bang. Then all of the underclassmen can pick it up from there,' " Smith said. "Nate is well-rounded, sometimes he's serious and other times he's a clown. He's a joker; he had us all laughing before we caught the bus to go to the game. He keeps it fun, so we're not too serious."
Smith has his eyes on bringing Mililani a fourth straight state title next year.
"That's our biggest goal," he said. "We set that bar already and can now start working toward it."
Monday night, Smith watched a replay of the championship game ontelevision for the third time.
"It wasn't a really boring game, like some games are," he said in what could be taken as an understatement.
The contribution of Trojans junior midfielder Justin Kim also can't be ignored.
Kim drew oohs and aahs from the fans throughout the tournament, and his goal in double overtime beat Kamehameha in the semifinals.
"That No. 17, Kim, he's so smooth," said an interested spectator, Punahou girls coach Jorge Barbosa. "He's a marvel, that kid, with all that talent. I hope he continues to play after high school.
"Overall, that was just a good, impressive soccer match. Too bad our school didn't win, but, even though it's hard to say it, the best team won."
Barbosa believes Mililani's experience in big games may have been the deciding factor.
"When you've been there a lot already, you know what it takes and your confidence bursts and you say, 'Let's go out and get it,'" he said.
Barbosa's Interscholastic League of Honoluluchampion Buffanblu squad is on Maui for the girls state championship tournament, which starts today.
Paddling cup up for grabs: The Oahu Interscholastic Association holds its outrigger canoe paddling championship Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Teams from the OIA's Eastern and Western Divisions compete for the Tesoro Cup Hawaii.
Punahou tourney starts: The Punahou girls basketball team hosts its third annual preseason tournament, today through Saturday.
Participating teams include two Buffanblu squads, defending state champ Kamehameha and defending OIA champ Kalaheo, as well as McKinley, Kahuku, Kaimuki and Iolani.
Iolani seeks coach: Iolani is taking applications for a head varsity boys soccer coach.
Resumes can be sent to Iolani School, Athletic Dept., c/o Judy Hiramoto, Athletic Director, 563 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, HI, 96826.
BACK TO TOP |
Athletes of the Week
BOYS
>> Whitney Shimatsu, Mililani soccer: Scored both goals in a 2-1 state championship victory over Punahou.
GIRLS
>> Courtney Kessell, Kailua softball: Pitched a complete game in the the Surfriders' 2-1 victory over Kamehameha in the state championship. She also made a key run-saving catch of a Kaulana Gould line drive with the Warriors' Sharee Fonoti on third base in the seventh inning. In addition, Kessell struck out 17 batters in a semifinal win over Waiakea.
Honor Roll
CHEERLEADING
>> Kamehameha squad: Won the Small Varsity Division in the National High School cheerleading championships, beating 63 other teams.
BASKETBALL
>> Brandyn McCall, Mid-Pacific: Scored 22 points, including 13 of his team's first 14, and grabbed seven rebounds in a victory over Damien. He also scored 16 in a loss to Punahou.
>> Jonah Lakatani, Saint Louis: Notched 18 points in a victory over Kamehameha.
>> Will Stinton, Hawaii Baptist Academy: In victories over Word of Life Academy and Hanalani, he totaled 33 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Division II Eagles to a berth in the ILH Division I tournament.
>> Daniel Tautofi, Kaimuki: Scored 37 points in a quadruple-overtime win over Moanalua in an OIA tournament game.
>> Simeon Tavares, Mililani: Hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2.2 seconds left to lift the Trojans over Kahuku 42-41 in an OIA tournament game.
>> Shosei Yamauchi, Kahuku: Hit for 20 points in a tournament loss to Mililani.
>> Joseph Nishimura, Moanalua: Scored 19 points in a tourney win over Pearl City.
>> Sam Wilhoite, Kalaheo: Fired in 24 points in a tourney win over Kapolei.
>> Bobby Nash, Iolani: Notched 27 points in a victory over Mid-Pacific.
>> Kevin Lee, Maryknoll: Scored 20 points in a win over University.
BOYS SOCCER
>> Justin Kim, Mililani: Scored the game's only goal in double overtime to beat Kamehameha and lead the Trojans into the state final against Punahou. He also scored twice in the Trojans' second-round win over Kauai.
>> Mason Chan, Kauai: Scored two goals in a state tournament opening-round victory over Moanalua.
>> Trel Mangarin, Hawaii Preparatory Academy: Scored two goals in Ka Makani's win over Castle in a state tourney game.
>> Makana Prothero, Kamehameha: Scored twice in a state tourney first-round victory over Roosevelt.
>> Ricky Shinn, Pearl City: Scored in the first minute of overtime to give the Chargers a 4-3 victory over Baldwin in the second round of the state tourney.
SOFTBALL
>> Krystelle Garcia, Waiakea: Hit a three-run triple in the fourth inning to lift the Warriors to a 3-2 major upset of Punahou in the state tourney.
>> Tajia Acierto, Kapolei: Pitched a five-hitter to lead the Hurricanes to a 3-0 victory over Hilo in a state tourney game.
Hawaii School Web Sites
