HHSAA might lift probation
on Baldwin’s soccer team
Baldwin may have played -- and behaved -- itself off of probation.The Maui school's boys soccer team has been on probation -- and monitored closely -- this year after a Bears player pushed down a referee from behind in last year's state tournament.
But many spectators and tournament officials witnessed Baldwin's goodwill in last week's states at Aloha Stadium, including Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya.
"I thought Baldwin performed admirably in respect to both their high level of play and sportsmanship," Amemiya said. "Everyone who I've spoken to has nothing but high praise for the way Baldwin players handled themselves on and off the field. The referees were especially impressed with the (Blake and Brady) Nunes brothers for their leadership and sportsmanship on the field."
It could mean an end to the Bears' probation.
"In speaking with HHSAA boys soccer coordinators, Al Wills and Richard Haru, we've all agreed to recommend to the board that Baldwin's probation be lifted," Amemiya said.
The Maui Interscholastic League champion Bears placed third in the tournament, behind Mililani and Iolani.
Benz gives: The official who was pushed from behind a year ago is giving his earnings from the boys and girls state soccer tournaments over the last two weeks to the HHSAA.
Kaleo Benz plans on parting with $200 this season and a lot more in successive years.
"My plan is to give $1,000 each year," he said. "It helps them pay for the soccer tournaments. It's a way to give back to the community. I'm not in it for the money, anyway. I'm here for the kids."
Amemiya commended the effort.
"It's a nice gesture on Kaleo's part and it's nice to know our officials support us."
Six-team D-I football tourney opposition mounts: Baldwin football coach Chad Kauha'aha'a doesn't like the new Division I football format.
"I don't think it's fair for all teams," he said.
"The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds would get a week off, rest up and scout the teams who are playing. That's too much of an unfair advantage -- four teams battling it out and hitting each other while the top two teams are resting. It makes no sense. None of the coaches or athletic directors on Maui want it."
On Jan. 29, the HHSAA executive board unanimously passed the six-team D-I tournament to replace an eight-team format, and Maui Interscholastic League executive secretary Stephen Kim was one of those who voted for it.
Proponents of the six-team format say it cuts travel costs during the first round and it creates an equal number of teams in both the D-I and D-II tourneys.
If there's enough opposition, it's possible -- although unlikely -- for the HHSAA board to change the format back to eight teams at its April 29 meeting.
"All of the leagues unanimously voted, so unless the majority have a change of heart, we're fully committed and obligated to go with the six-team format," Amemiya said.
KIF clinic soon: The Kauai Interscholastic Federation is holding a free clinic for high school and community coaches and officials March 6 at Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School.
Many well-known Oahu coaches will give football, soccer or volleyball presentations at the clinic, and a special presentation will be made by Castle athletic director Richard Haru on drug awareness and prevention.
The featured coaches are the University of Hawaii's Dan Morrison, Aiea's Wendell Say, Amosa Amosa and Mike Liilii, and Kahuku's Siuaki Livai for football; Mililani's Jeff Yamamoto and Steve McGehee, Punahou's Jorge Barbosa and Castle's Mark Kane for soccer; and the University of Hawaii's Charlie Wade, Iolani's Luis Ramirez and Kamehameha's Pona Ma'a for volleyball. For more information, call KIF president and Waimea principal Bill Arakaki at 338-6800.
Girls hoops this week: Two girls basketball tournaments are scheduled this week on Oahu -- the 14th annual Lady Tiger Challenge at McKinley and the Lady Falcons Basketball Tournament at Kalani. Both varsity tournaments run Thursday through Saturday.
Punahou, Lahainaluna, Kamehameha, Kealakehe, Kahuku, Baldwin and Waiakea join the Tigers in the McKinley field.
Sacred Hearts, Maryknoll, Iolani, Kaiser, Hawaii Baptist, Radford and La Pietra join the Falcons in the Kalani field.
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Athletes of the Week
>> Ehren Ching, Mililani soccer: After 100 scoreless minutes, his goal gave Mililani a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks as the Trojans beat Iolani 1-0 for their fourth straight state championship.>> Emalia Suehiro, King Kekaulike swimming: Captured the girls 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle at the MIL championships.
Honor Roll
Boys soccer
>> Darren Smith, Mililani: Made two saves in the penalty-kick portion of the state championship game, including one on Iolani's seventh shooter to set up teammate Ehren Ching's game-winning goal.>> Jay Abrigo, Mililani: Scored two winning goals in games against Pearl City and Kamehameha in the state tournament quarterfinals and semifinals.
>> Dyrk Teramae and Jason Keanini, Iolani: Teramae scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of a quarterfinal game against Kaiser. He also scored two goals and assisted on another in a semifinal victory over Baldwin. Keanini made a handful of spectacular saves throughout the Raiders' three state tourney games.
>> Aaron Souza and Logan Sauer Kamehameha: Souza scored the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Castle in a state first-round game. Sauer scored in double overtime to beat Kealakehe 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
>> Keone Peiper, Pearl City: Scored the only goal in a first-round win over Kauai.
>> Jeremy Patton, Kaiser: Scored 29 seconds into a first-round game against Waiakea en route to a 2-0 victory. He also had the game-winner in a 2-1 consolation win over Kalaheo.
>> Blake Nunes and Kimo Ballesteros, Baldwin: Both scored two goals in a 4-3 quarterfinal win over Kalaheo. Nunes also scored the winning goal in the third-place game against Kamehameha.
>> Justin Toulon, Kauai: Scored the only goal in a 1-0 consolation win over Castle.
>> CJ Cintas, Kealakehe: Scored all three goals in a 3-0 consolation win over Pearl City.
>> Chad Hanashiro, Waiakea: Scored the game-winning goal in a consolation win over Hilo.
Swimming
>> Randall Tom, Seabury Hall: Won the boys 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly at the MIL championship meet.>> Carly Mitchell, Baldwin: Won the girls 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke at the MIL meet.
>> Chelsea Nagata, Maui: Swam to victories in the girls 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.
Basketball
>> Sam Wilhoite, Kalaheo: Scored 31 points and pulled down 15 rebounds with nine blocked shots as the Mustangs captured the OIA title against Mililani.>> Waika Spencer, Kamehameha: Scored 15 points as the Warriors beat Mid-Pacific to secure a berth in the state tourney.
>> Shane Lawrence and Brashton Satele, Word of Life: Lawrence scored 14 points as the Division II Firebrands defeated Maryknoll in the ILH postseason tourney play-in game. Satele scored 17 in a tourney loss to Mid-Pacific.
>> Ranson DeCosta, Damien: The senior won his third straight ILH scoring title with an average of 17 points per game.
>> Jimmy Miyasaka, Kaimuki: Scored 19 points in an OIA semifinal loss to Kalaheo.
>> Neil Bowers, Kalaheo: Grabbed a late-game rebound and hit two free throws to wrap up the OIA semifinal win over Kaimuki.
>> Alex Patykula, Mililani: Scored 22 points in an OIA semifinal victory over McKinley.
>> Robert Holder, McKinley: Scored 18 points in the OIA semifinal loss to Mililani.
>> Kulia Aiona, Saint Louis: Scored 17 points in an ILH tournament win over University.
>> Scott Nishimoto, University: Scored all of his 18 points in the second half of the loss to Saint Louis.
>> Chris Perry and Josh Mitchell, Mid-Pacific: Perry scored 17 points in an ILH tournament win over Word of Life. Mitchell had 18 in a semifinal win over Damien and another 18 in the title-game loss to Kamehameha.
>> Kyle Teves and Jared Ursua, Kealakehe: Scored 17 points each as the Waveriders captured the BIIF title with a win over Waiakea.
Hawaii School Web Sites
