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Lipsher, Smith Gatorade Players of the Year

Punahou's Allison Lipsher and Mililani's Darren Smith were named Hawaii state high school soccer players of the year by Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine yesterday.

"Alli is a very mature, responsible, kind, humble and giving young lady who always puts her team first," Lipsher's coach, Jorge Barbosa, said in a release.

Smith's coach, Jeff Yamamoto, said, "I've watched Darren mature into a dominant goalkeeper.

"He is a person who will give his best in every situation."

The Gatorade High School Player of the Year program recognizes a winner in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in football, volleyball, baseball, softball, and boys and girls basketball, soccer and track.

Islanders sign former Montana standout Akiona

Former Montana and Saint Louis School standout Randyn Akiona has signed an arenafootball2 contract with the Hawaiian Islanders, the franchise announced yesterday.

Akiona played in the af2 championship game last season as a member of the Macon Knights, and also helped Montana win a Division I-AA national championship in 2001. He was a Star-Bulletin second-team All-State receiver for Saint Louis in 1996.

"He brings experience and he knows how to win," said Islanders coach Cal Lee, who was also Akiona's high school coach.

In last season's af2 playoff run, Akiona caught 14 passes, three for touchdowns for the Knights, which sent him to the Islanders for future considerations.

Local tryouts Feb. 22: The Islanders will conduct a local tryout day Feb. 22 at Saint Louis School. Call 532-7362 or go to www.hawaiianislanders.com for information.

Vulcans complete sweep of MSU-Billings

HILO >> The University of Hawaii at Hilo beat Montana State-Billings twice yesterday to complete a four-game Pacific West Conference softball sweep.

The Vulcans won 4-3 and 3-0 to run their overall record to 6-3.

Laura Kimborowicz's two-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth scored fellow freshman Zoie Sevilla to secure UHH's first win of the day. It capped a rally that featured hits by Natalie Fujimoto, Chelsea Osborne and B.J. Shimamoto.

In game two, Tara Martinez pitched a three-hit shutout.

The Vulcans host Concordia University (Calif.) in noon doubleheaders at the UHH Softball Field on Sunday and Monday, February 15 and 16.

Chrisman scores 42 as BYUH beats Billings

BILLINGS, Mont. >> Jake Chrisman scored 42 points last night in leading Brigham Young-Hawaii to a 92-82 Pacific West Conference victory over Montana State-Billings.

Jerett Skrifvars scored 31 points for the Yellowjackets (14-7, 5-5 conference), and three teammates also scored in double figures: Buddy Windy Boy and Trae Fortier with 15 each, and David Carse with 11.

BYU-Hawaii (18-4, 8-2) led 43-39 at the half.

The Seasiders also had three other players in double figures, led by Michael Stowell's 19 points. Austin Smylie added 15 and Shawn Opunui had 11.

Balanced HPU beats Western New Mexico

SILVER CITY, N.M. >> Four players scored in double figures last night to lead Hawaii Pacific to a 71-60 win over Western New Mexico.

Hawaii Pacific (8-14) handed the Mustangs (7-13) their first loss in five games.

Audrius Peciukas scored 18 points for the Sea Warriors and Albert Tecul added 17. Marvin Noble and Aaron Abrams added 14 each.

Brendon Malone scored 23 points for Western New Mexico.

The Mustangs shot a season-low 27 percent from the field, hitting only 17 of 63 shots. They hit just four of 26 3-pointers in the game.

Hawaii Pacific shot 45 percent from the field. The team hit 26 of 57 shots.

UHH's Mason in the hunt at Waikoloa

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii >> Hawaii-Hilo's Nick Mason shot a 6-under 68 yesterday, to stand at 6 under, two strokes off the individual lead heading into today's third round of the 14th annual Taylor Made/Waikoloa Intercollegiate Tournament at the Waikoloa Beach Resort Kings' Course.

Georgia Tech leads the team competition at 13 under, while UCLA and UC Davis, with individual leader Scott Gordon, are tied for second at two strokes back.

UH-Hilo is tied with Oklahoma for 12th in the 21-team field. Hawaii is tied for 20th.

Presidents' team chess tournament Monday

The Hawaii Chess Foundation will present the 2004 Presidents' 4x4 Team Interscholastic Chess Tournament Monday at Aliamanu Intermediate School.

On-site registration will be $15 per team or $5 per individual. USCF rules will apply, with 6-round Swiss pairing and rapid time control. Elementary, middle school and high school teams will compete in three age divisions. Teams will ideally be four members from the same school, with a three-member minimum.

Trophies and medals will be awarded. Check in is 9 a.m. at the school cafeteria. Fax 627-1421, e-mail gpontai@hawaii.rr.com or go to www.hawaiichess.org for information.

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