Even though he scored both goals in a 2-1 state final soccer victory, Mililani senior Whitney Shimatsu has remained down to earth.
Mililani’s Shimatsu,
Trojans place 8 on All-State Teams
the player of the year,
came through in the clutch
League All-StarsBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com
He can be found carting his little brother, Dustin, to practice or talking on the cell phone to his girlfriend, Courtney Lee.
Name: Whitney Shimatsu of Mililani
PLAYER OF
THE YEARPosition: Senior forward
Notable: Scored game-winners in the last two state championship finals as well as in this year's OIA championship game
As a matter of fact, a few minutes after Shimatsu scored the state-title clinching goal in double overtime last month, the phone rang.
"She had to work that night," Shimatsu said. "She requested the wrong night off. But she was so happy for me and congratulated me and said 'I'm so proud of you. I love you.' "
Shimatsu is the Star-Bulletin's choice for player of the year. He also scored the winning goal in double overtime to beat Pearl City for the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship.
Since the season ended, Shimatsu has been contemplating his future. He doesn't want to leave Oahu to go to college, partly because he doesn't want to be separated from Courtney. He'd eventually like to go to the University of Hawaii, but might try a community college first. He also has aspirations to become a firefighter.
"It's hitting me that the season is over, my last season," he said. "What a great way to go out -- on top. Now I'm going into the real world. There isn't going to be anymore state championships. Nothing's going to come easy. It will be a learning experience."
Shimatsu shies away from taking credit for this year's championship. As a junior, he scored the goal in a 1-0 state final victory over Kamehameha.
"I had good players around me," he said. "I've got some speed and the height, but my skills aren't nearly as good as some of my teammates. I just happened to be there (to score goals) at the right time."
Shimatsu would love to see the Mililani underclassmen carry on the Trojans' winning tradition. They've captured three straight state titles.
But he's hoping the team can get new yellow uniforms that will be a better match for the yearly yellow-dyed hair the boys wear.
He and other Mililani students recently won a "Higher, Faster, Stronger" competition and netted $10,000 for the school's athletic department. The event included a running race, community service and volunteer work for a learn-to-read program.
"The black uniforms we have are OK, but those yellow ones, they're good and all, but they're about 10 years old," he said. "I'm hoping my little brother (Dustin returns as a sophomore next year) and the rest of the guys can look good when they win state championship No. 4."
According to Trojans coach Jeff Yamamoto, Whitney's rise to the state's top player hasn't been without adversity. Prior to his junior season, he lost his mom, Veronica Viquelia-Shimatsu, to cancer.
"He's had to help his dad take care of his brother and he's overcome quite a bit," Yamamoto said. "I'm really proud of him for maintaining his school work and providing excellent leadership for our team."
Shimatsu kicked a 47-yard field goal for the Trojans' football team in the OIA playoffs against Kailua and has thought about walking on as a kicker at UH some day.
Still, soccer is his favorite sport.
"It's more fun, compared to the other sports," he said. "It's hard work, but it's mostly fun and you make great friends. In football, the team is too big to get close to everybody. In baseball, it's drills, drills, drills. It got kind of boring so I didn't play this year."
When relaxing, Shimatsu likes to raise fish in his 55-gallon tank, and he said, "It's addicting once you start." He also just got a job working in a pet store that sells fish.
But Yamamoto would prefer to see Shimatsu play college soccer.
"He knows where he should be putting the ball -- far post if possible," Yamamoto said. "Sometimes this season, it was hard for him because he was playing on some not-so-great fields. Still, he was putting them away even though the conditions weren't very good. In the state tournament, the field (Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park) was immaculate and he excelled. He worked hard and the situation was there for him."
It didn't hurt to have Courtney, a Mililani senior, by his side.
"She makes me breakfast every morning and that gives me energy," he said.
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Sometimes athletes and fans get carried away in the offensive glory of slam dunks, goals and home runs and forget about defensive and game-controlling aspects. Trojans place 8
on all-state teams;
unsung Carr is
1 of 5 Punahou picks
Star-Bulletin staffStar-Bulletin All-State fullback Makena Carr is the furthest thing from a scoring machine, but he was a guiding light for the Punahou soccer team this season.
While other all-state selections (chosen after consultation with coaches from throughout the state) such as Whitney Shimatsu and Justin Kim of Mililani and Satoshi Mitsuda and Stephen Carlson of the Buffanblu were basking under the bright spotlights at the state tournament, Carr was just doing his thing.
His thing was playing rock-solid defense and making well-timed and efficient clearing passes. In a word, unsung.
"He's one of the guys you don't see," Punahou coach Bob Clague said. "He doesn't score many goals or get many assists, but he certainly stops the other team. He's very intelligent in the way he plays and doesn't get flustered. He also brings up good ideas in practice. Very mature."
Carr will forever be asking, "What if?" concerning his team's 2-1 double-overtime loss to the Trojans, but he and players on both sides are likely to look back with great fondness on the season finale at the mecca of soccer fields in the state, the stadium at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.
"It wasn't an absolute perfect ending, but it was an amazing feeling that we're always going to remember --on that perfect field with 3,000 fans and your best friends and family watching," Carr said.
He was one of five Punahou players chosen to the All-State's first or second team.
Carr said he's talked to coaches at Notre Dame, New Mexico and Air Force, but California is his first choice and he'll probably go there if accepted, even if he doesn't play soccer.
Three-time defending state champion Mililani placed eight players on the two teams, including player of the year Whitney Shimatsu, a senior captain.
Goalkeeper Darren Smith, halfbacks Chris Castell and Justin Kim, and forward Nathan Amous are the other Trojans on the first team. Fullbacks Paul Tojo and Ceferin Oliva, and halfback Brent Murakami were the Mililani players picked to the second team.
Led by the athletic ability of Smith, a junior, Mililani allowed two goals all season -- one in the regular season against Kapolei and one against Punahou in the state final.
"One of the reasons we've been able to win three championships in a row is because all of the boys are really fit and they work hard," Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto said. "The reputation they have gives them a self-induced motivation. They've done so well that they want to maintain that reputation. They've got a lot of pride in our school right now."
Paul Fu, who led Pac-Five to second place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, is the coach of the year.
[ ALL-STATE TEAM ]
FIRST TEAM
Pos. Player School Goalkeeper Darren Smith Mililani Fullback Ricky Shinn Pearl City Makena Carr Punahou Shauncey-Blaine Saito Campbell Halfback Tamatoa Hackney Punahou Chris Castell Mililani David Gualdarama Kamehameha Keola Nobriga Baldwin Justin Kim Mililani Forward Stephen Carlson Punahou Whitney Shimatsu Mililani Nathan Amous Mililani Satoshi Mitsuda Punahou
SECOND TEAM
Pos. Player School Goalkeeper David Semenza Punahou Fullback Paul Tojo Mililani Kody Seminara Pac-Five Ceferin Oliva Mililani Halfback Aaron Miura Moanalua Kenshiro Uki Pearl City Andre Laguire Hawaii Prep Richard Higa Mid-Pacific Brent Murakami Mililani Rocky Otsuka Campbell Forward Brandon Self Kaiser Trel Mangarin Hawaii Prep Mason Chan Kauai
COACH OF THE YEAR
>> Paul Fu, Pac-Five
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[ LEAGUE ALL-STARS ]
BIIF
North Player of the Year --Jared Chapman, Hawaii Prep.
North Coach of the Year -- Maurice Miranda, Honokaa.
North first team -- Goalkeeper: Ryan Salmon, Hawaii Prep. Defenders: Brad Fyffe, Kealakehe; Mike Kopra, Hawaii Prep; Seungyup Han, Hawaii Prep; Keoni Sugimoto, Honokaa. Midfielders: Jared Chapman, Hawaii Prep; Andre Laguire, Hawaii Prep; Ziggy Jewel, Makualani; Hayato Fukumitsu, Kealakehe; Daiva Domingo, Honokaa. Forwards: Mark Kurashige, Kealakehe; Max Bowman, Honokaa; J Park, Hawaii Prep.
North honorable mention -- Trel Mangarin, Jon Roberts, Kai Mangarin, Hawaii Prep; Ka'aina Bowman, Zenos Lowden, Eli Bowman, Chazen Chong, Honokaa; Rayan Campagan, Garret Nocolaison, CJ Cintas, Marcus Hathcock, Kealakehe; Kreig Roxburgh, Kahala; Kacee Takafuji, Kayls Chavarria, Bring Ng, Konawaena; Kevin Jewel, Raphael Cifuentes, Makualani; Robert McNamara, Parker.
South Player of the Year -- Elia Clarke, St. Joseph.
South Coach of the Year --Dave Urakami, Waiakea.
South first team -- Goalkeepers: Brandon Rivera, Waiakea; Gyasi Williams, Pahoa; Nolan Yomes, Kau. Defenders: Elia Clarke, St. Joseph; Brendan Wung, Christian Liberty; Jordan Takasaki, Waiakea; Jake Silva, Hilo. Midfielders: Ravi Mohandie, Pahoa; Chad Hamashiro, Waiakea; Ben Inouye, Hilo; Aaron Brown, Waiakea; Moi Kanealii, Hilo. Forwards: Dustin Broad, Hilo; Kyle Cabison, Waiakea; Nick Figueira, Waiakea.
South honorable mention: Grant Chai, Jon Williamson, Christian Liberty; Danny Oliver, Houston Aki, Royden Nabarro, Kevin Kuba, Bryan Straight, Stephen Paulelua, Hilo; Edward Billman, Ka'u Johnston-Kitagawa, Alex Johnston, Kau; Manu Tavares, Sean Rabuitz, Trevor Saxby, Keaau; Diego Alvarez, Ian Freitas, Kazuki Kinjo, Filippo Sboarina, St. Joseph; Josh Countess, Brandon Kaku, Waiakea.
ILH
Player of the Year -- Richard Higa, Mid-Pacific.
Coach of the Year -- Paul Fu, Pac-Five.
First team -- Goaltender: Vito Higgins, Pac-Five. Fullbacks: Daniel Arita, Hawaii Baptist; Kody Seminara, Pac-5; Makena Carr, Punahou. Midfielders: Tamatoa Hackney, Punahou; Alex Wong, Pac-5; David Gualdarama, Kamehameha; Richard Higa, Mid-Pacific. Forwards: Forwards: Stephen Carlson, Punahou; Satoshi Mitsuda, Punahou; Jordan Aquino, Kamehameha.
Second team -- Goaltender: David Semenza, Punahou. Fullbacks: Tim Picerno, Damien; William Bow, Pac-Five; Dustin Taniguchi, Kamehameha; Jaryd Yee, Iolani. Midfielders: Dyrk Teramae, Iolani; Callum Trigg-Smith, Punahou; Brandon Tario, Kamehameha; Micah Munekata, Hawaii Baptist; Forwards: Christopher Wittig, Pac-5; Kaui Wong, Kamehameha.
Honorable mention -- Justin Fajota, Pac-Five; Marcus Chun, Shane Kutaka, Punahou; Christopher Major, Christopher Goya, Mid-Pacific; Graham Enomoto, Hawaii Baptist; Lokahi Bounds, Damien.
KIF
Player of the Year -- Mason Chan, Kauai.
Coach of the Year -- Mark Brandeburg, Kauai.
First team -- Goalkeeper: Curtis Kimura, Waimea. Defenders: Waika Oliver, Kapaa; Norman Vea, Waimea; Todd Yamamoto, Kauai; Eric Fujikawa, Kauai. Midfielders: J-Paul Hornstine, Kauai; Elliot Byfield, Kapaa; Justin Toulon, Kauai; Forwards: Kelsey Morikawa, Waimea; Erron Nakaya, Kauai; Gabe Sarsona, Kapaa.
MIL
Selections not available.
OIA
East Player of the Year -- Brandon Self, Kaiser.
East Coach of the Year -- Mark Kane, Castle.
East first team -- Goalkeeper: Joshua Curtis, Kaiser. Defense: Colin Morikawa, Moanalua; Matrix Dumlao, Kalaheo; Christopher Pascua, Kalaheo; Jeremy Patton, Kaiser. Offense: Holden Lau, Roosevelt; Erik Le, Roosevelt; Evan Patek, Roosevelt; Aaron Miura, Moanalua; Max Anton, Kalaheo; Brandon Self, Kaiser.
East second team -- Goalkeeper: Ryan Kelley, Kalaheo. Defense: Corey Asato, Kaimuki; Troy Uehara, Kaimuki; Michael Rivas-Micoud, Kaiser; David Onouye, Roosevelt. Offense: Sean Arthur, Kalaheo; Keoni Spencer-Crites, Kailua; Brennan Alexander, Castle; Chris Morales, McKinley; Winston Yee, Moanalua; Kyle Juliano, Kahuku.
West Player of the Year: Shauncey-Blaine Saito, Campbell.
West Coach of the Year: Scott Keopuhiwa, Pearl City.
West first team -- Goalkeeper: Brandon Puckett, Aiea. Defense: Keanui Carmack, Kapolei; Jay Abrigo, Mililani; Eric Venglar, Radford; Chris Castell, Mililani; Shauncey-Blaine Saito, Campbell. Offense: Whitney Shimatsu, Mililani; Christopher Kaaukuu, Pearl City; Ricky Shinn, Pearl City; Rocky Otsuka, Campbell; Nathan Amous, Mililani.
West second team -- Goalkeeper: Darren Smith, Mililani. Defense: Lindsey Arcangel, Waianae; Kenneth Buffa, Leilehua; Creston Mercado, Waipahu; Michael Domingo, Pearl City; Brett Kagawa, Mililani. Offense: R.B. Bibilone, Leilehua; Justin Kim, Mililani; Kenshiro Uki, Pearl City; Joshua Woodward, Waianae; Donovan Gaboya, Campbell.
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