Coaching carousel hits the Maui Interscholastic League

Changes are in the air for Maui Interscholastic League football.

J.W. Kenton is the new football coach at King Kekaulike.

Kenton is known for his involvement as director of the Just Win summer football camp. In years past, the camp was affiliated with the Hula Bowl when it was on Maui.

Kenton takes over for Dennis Dias, who stepped down for health reasons. Dias has battled cancer, as has his wife, and made plans to retire from coaching well before last season began.

At Maui High, David Nesmith is the new coach. He steps in for Danny Crowell, who resigned after one season to pursue a job opportunity on the Big Island.

Nesmith's history with the Sabers is worthy of a soap-opera miniseries. Two years ago, as Maui's junior varsity coach, Nesmith waited until the first day of spring practice to tell then-coach Curtis Lee that he was going to coach at Kamehameha-Maui.

When things didn't work out at KS-Maui that summer, Nesmith came back to Maui as a varsity assistant.

Last year, when Lee retired, Maui selected Crowell over Nesmith and a number of other candidates.

Nesmith returned to KS-Maui as a JV coach.

With Crowell gone, the school decided to hire Nesmith, who has been at the school all along as a teacher.

If that doesn't have enough drama for the average high school football fan, consider Pac-Three. Coach Jim Klaczak applied for the openings at King Kekaulike and Maui, much to the surprise of the Titans.

Stay tuned.

Crusaders seek coach: Saint Louis School is accepting applications for its volleyball coaching position.

Résumés will be accepted by athletic director Todd Los Banos until Feb. 28. Faxed resumes can be sent to 739-4823.

For more information, call 739-4882.

Saint Louis says yes: The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation has donated $28,075 to Saint Louis School for the replacement of scoreboards at the campus football field and in McCabe Gymnasium.

"We are so grateful for the kindness of the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation," said Saint Louis headmaster Father Allen DeLong.

Athletes of the week

BOYS

Deryck Lim, Punahou soccer: Scored three goals as the Buffanblu boys defeated Damien and clinched the ILH championship.

GIRLS

Meleana Shim, Kamehameha soccer: Named most outstanding player as the Warriors won the state championship.

Honor roll

BASKETBALL

Okesene Ale Jr., Kahuku: Scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a win over Leilehua.

Bao Jun Lei, Moanalua: Scored 20 points against Campbell.

Jordan Ranche, Word of Life: Scored 30 points in a win over University.

Tyler Tsukazaki, Maryknoll: Scored 30 points against Damien.

Chris Tumaneng, Kalaheo: Made a three-point play with 8.9 seconds left to lift the Mustangs over Kapolei.

SOCCER

Kylee Ann Ah Choy, Kamehameha: The defender was named to the state tournament team.

Nicole Lee Akiu, Kamehameha: The defender was named to the state tournament team.

Caycie Gusman, Kamehameha: The forward was named to the state tournament team.

Erin Ichimura, Baldwin: The goalkeeper delivered a shutout in Baldwin's 1-0 shootout win over Kalani. She also had seven saves in a 1-0 win over Konawaena.

Cari Makino, Kaiser: Scored one goal, then took over at goalkeeper during a shootout to help the Cougars edge Hilo.

Tricia Miura, Pearl City: The midfielder was named to the state tournament team.

Amber Nakachi, Kaiser: Named to the state tournament team.

Markee Nobriga, Kamehameha: Named to the state tournament team.

Jasmine Pratt, Mililani: The defender was named to the state tournament team.

Skye Shimabukuro, Kauai: Scored both goals in her team's 2-1 win over Moanalua. Also named to the state tournament team.

Maris van der Lee, Baldwin: The forward was named to the state tournament team.

Natalie Wong, Mililani: The midfielder was named to the state tournament team.

Stephanie Yoro, Mililani: The midfielder was named to the state tournament team.

SOFTBALL

Kiane Dalit, Sacred Hearts: Went 3-for-3 with a triple, two stolen bases, two RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Molokai at the Division II state tournament.

Joslyn Eugenio, Sacred Hearts: Earned three wins in a row to lead the Lancers to the D-II state final.

SWIMMING

Andrew Boes, Leilehua: Won the 200 freestyle and the 100 backstroke at the OIA West championships. Also swam on the Mules' winning 200 freestyle relay team.

Ryan Knott, Leilehua: Won the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle at the OIA West championships. Also swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay team.

WRESTLING

Ashley Abalos, Leilehua: Won the 175-pound division at the OIA Western Division championships. Won the final by pin.

Kuuipo Badayos, Waianae: Won the 125-pound class at the OIA Western Division championships. Won by pin in the final.

Alicia Fu, Moanalua: Upset top-seeded Amanda Soliai of Kahuku to win the 155-pound weight class at the OIA Eastern Division meet.

Cheryse Sana, Waianae: Won the 130-pound weight class at the OIA Western Division championships. Won the final by pin.

Sally Tolentino, Waianae: Won the 140-pound weight class at the OIA Western Division championships. Won the final by pin.

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