[ HIGH SCHOOL REPORT ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jimmy Miyasaka has other interests besides basketball -- like playing the piano and being the president of the school's National Honor Society.
Kaimuki guard Jimmy Miyasaka
is the key to the Bulldogs' success
on the basketball court
When Jimmy Miyasaka walked onto the campus of Kaimuki High School for his freshman year, he felt intimidated, lost and unsure of what to expect.
However, if he had any idea of what was to come, he probably would have been a bit less nervous and a bit more excited.
Last year's Star-Bulletin third-team all-state pick has stepped out of the shadow of ex-Bulldog Daniel Tautofi to become Kaimuki's main threat as it looks to return to the state basketball tournament and advance as far as possible.
"We've been close the last couple of years, and Jimmy is going to be the key for us to get back there," said Kaimuki coach Stephen Lee.
But even with the weight of the team squarely on the shoulders of Miyasaka, the sharp-shooting senior guard doesn't have much time to worry about the pressure of leading the Bulldogs back to the state tournament.
Instead, he's busy either playing the piano, being president of the school's National Honors Society and Aqua Science Club, volunteering at the St. Francis Medical Center liver department, or studying for upcoming tests in AP chemistry and AP calculus.
"I don't have much free time to think about things too much," Miyasaka said.
"With everything I do, basketball is more of a stress reliever than anything else, so I don't feel pressured by it."
That attitude carries over to the classroom, where Miyasaka earned a 4.4 grade-point average last quarter and will likely be the school's valedictorian. While basketball has always been his passion, he knows that even if he doesn't achieve his goal of getting a basketball scholarship to college, he has his academics to fall back on.
"I'd love to play basketball in college, it's something I've always wanted," Miyasaka said. "But even if I don't get an athletic scholarship, hopefully I can get an academic (scholarship) instead."
The balance between school and basketball has been a struggle at times, but according to his father Richard, who is an assistant coach with the team, if there's anybody that can excel at both school and basketball, it's Jimmy.
"One thing I can say about him is that he is a very hard worker," Richard Miyasaka said. "He just wills himself to be better at whatever it is he is doing."
Jimmy had to rely heavily on that will to succeed when he first came to Kaimuki as a freshman. He had previously spent the last six years being home-schooled with his two brothers and was a little apprehensive about going to high school.
"Coming in my freshman year, I knew a few people from playing basketball, but for the most part, I was kind of an outsider because I didn't go to elementary and middle school with these guys," Miyasaka said. "Luckily, I met my girlfriend Krystal in math class, and she helped me get used to the school system and made things more comfortable."
Added Richard Miyasaka: "I knew it'd be different for him, but we made sure he went to summer school the summer before, and his brother had done it already, so we weren't too worried about how he'd adjust."
While the transition has had its ups and downs, Jimmy is quick to point out that he couldn't have done it without the support of his parents.
"My parents are the greatest role models to me," he said. "Starting out in high school was a challenge, but knowing that when I went home, my parents were there for me is the best feeling, and made it easier to succeed."
Now that he's grown accustomed to his surroundings, Jimmy has not only adjusted well to the school, but has also blossomed into one of the state's best all-around basketball players.
"He can do it all," Lee said. "He's a good shooter, he can take the ball inside, and he's also a good rebounder as well."
The Bulldogs are going to have to rely heavily on those skills if they are to return to the state tournament.
"This year's team isn't necessarily young, but it's inexperienced," Lee said.
"And while these guys get accustomed to playing in crunch time, Jimmy is going to have to carry the load."
Already in a hole at 1-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association play, one thing Miyasaka won't let his team do is panic at starting off slow.
"It's a long journey to the playoffs," Miyasaka said. "In the OIA, anybody can beat anybody, and as long as we stay focused and confident in what we're doing, we'll be OK."
And with Miyasaka's performances both in the classroom and on the basketball court, the last thing anybody will have to worry about is Jimmy losing his confidence.
Basketball standings
ILH
Through Jan. 10
Team W L Iolani 3 0 Punahou 3 0 Damien 2 1 University 2 1 Kamehameha 1 2 Mid-Pacific 1 2 Saint Louis 0 3 Maryknoll 0 3 OIA East
Through Jan. 10
Team W L Kahuku 3 0 Kalaheo 3 0 Castle 3 0 Moanalua 2 1 Roosevelt 2 1 McKinley 2 1 Kaimuki 1 2 Kalani 1 2 Kailua 1 2 Kaiser 0 3 Farrington 0 3 Thompson
Academy0 3 OIA West
Through Jan. 10
Team W L Kapolei 3 0 Mililani 3 0 Leilehua 2 0 Nanakuli 2 0 Radford 2 1 Pearl City 2 1 Aiea 0 2 Waialua 0 2 Waipahu 0 2 Campbell 0 3 Waianae 0 3
BACK TO TOP |
Athletes of the Week
Sam Wilhoite, Kalaheo basketball: Scored 26 points in a victory over Kailua and added 32 in a win over Moanalua.Courtney Kessell, Kailua softball: Pitched a no-hitter with only one walk and 13 strikeouts in a 4-0 victory over rival Castle.
Honor Roll
Basketball
Ranson DeCosta, Damien: Scored 24 points in a victory over University and 20 in a win over Saint Louis.Robert Holder, McKinley: Scored 24 in a win over Farrington and 31 in a loss to Kahuku.
Warren Simanu, Kapolei: Scored 22 in a win over Waianae and 20 in a win over Campbell.
Jeremiah Ostrowski, Punahou: Scored 26 in a victory over Mid-Pacific and 19 more in a key ILH win over Kamehameha.
Clinton Parks and Shosei Yamauchi, Kahuku: Parks had 18 points and Yamauchi 17 in a win over McKinley.
Tristan Bailey, Campbell: Scored 30 in a loss to Kapolei.
Lawrence Sumaoang, Waialua: Scored 19 in a loss to Nanakuli.
Tauran Moore, Radford: Scored 17 in a win over Waipahu.
Keoni Haoni, Hanalani: Scored 34 in a D-II win over Redemption.
Chris Assily, Kaiser: Scored 19 in a loss to Castle.
Kawika Hepa, Kamehameha: Had 21 in a loss to Punahou.
Micah Kalinso, Farrington: Scored 22 in a win over Kalani.
Dustin Umeda, Kalani: Scored 34 in a loss to Farrington.
Will Stinton, Hawaii Baptist: Scored 24 in a win over Hanalani.
Softball
Lia Pedrina, Castle: Was the winning pitcher and went 4-for-4 with a grand slam and six RBIs in a victory over McKinley.Anita Manuma, Kapolei: Went 4-for-5 with a triple and three RBIs in a win over Aiea.
Krystal Plunkett, Pearl City: Went 5-for-5 with a triple, four runs scored and three RBIs in a victory over Radford.
Sarah Weisskopf, Punahou: Pitched a no-hitter in a victory over HBA/SA/SF.
Tanisha Milca, Kailua: Drove in seven runs in a victory over McKinley.
Gerri Fauate'a, Lanai: Pitched two victories over Hana in a doubleheader, a 1-hitter and a 2-hitter.
Boys Soccer
Chris Faulkner, Iolani: Scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Pac-Five.Justin Kim, Mililani: Had two assists in a key Oahu Interscholastic Association West win over Pearl City.
Joshua Woodard, Waianae: Scored three times in a win over Campbell.
Stephen Carlson, Punahou: Had three goals in a win over Damien.
Kenneth Ogata, Moanalua: Scored three goals in a win over Roosevelt.
Girls Soccer
Lauren Ho, Pac-Five: Scored three goals in a 3-0 win over St. Francis.Tazre Wentling, Waianae: Scored four goals in a win over Campbell.
To nominate ...
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com
