2010 LVSSA Las Vegas Senior Softball Tournament - Family Stones 55's AA Finished in Second Place.

Aloha and hello from Las Vegas. The weather here is a hot 104 degrees and the weatherman is predicting thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday. I am here again for the LVSSA Tournament with 88 teams participating from the 50's to the 80's. This tournament runs from August 27-29, with the Championship game being held on Sunday. Best of luck to our Hawaii teams and to the 55's. Go get 'em!!!!!! Last year, I covered the Family Stones 50's, and it was a rough finish, but they gave it their all. This year, I'll be covering the 55's who played two games today (Friday). In the first game against the Sonic Blast, the Stones were behind by one run, but some how the Sonics squeaked by in the end to take the game 15-14 over the 55's Family Stones. In the second game against the Tucson Cactus from Arizona, it was a little sticky at times, like stepping on cactus, but the 55's Family Stones Eddie Han (photo above) floated through the air more than once and stopped those fly balls into his right field with super stretched arms to seal the second game with a final score of 16-14. Awesome job Eddie Han and team 55's.

The tournament continued Saturday, at the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex in Henderson, and the 55's played the Fresh Poki team from Maui who won two games on Friday against the Tucson Cactus and Sonics. The 55's took the lead from the start and finished 19-9 over Fresh Poki. In the afternoon, during the course of elimination playoffs, the 55's had to play the Fresh Poki team again, and it was a battle to the finish. The teams were tied and had to go into international rules. Support on both sides was really loud, but in the end, the Fresh Poki team from Maui came from behind and ended the game 21-20.

It's Sunday, the final Championship day, and the Family Stones 55's started their elimination games by winning the first two, 19-5 over the Tucson Cactus and 17-16 over the Fresh Poki team from Maui. The third game ended their streak when the Sonic Blast ran ahead from the start and finished 21-16 over the Family Stones 55's. Congratulations to all players, and especially to Coach Darryl Samura "Thumper," and the 55's who invited me this year to cover and photo shoot their tournament. Special recognition to John Barinobis, Grant Sugai, Willie McMillan, George Meyer, Howard Manoiki and Eddie Han . "Click here to see more photos,"

Na Koa 'O Anuenue OIA White Division II "vs" Pearl City Chargers (8-39)

Tonight the Na Koa 'O Anuenue Football team attempted to make a come back from their loss last week against Kamehameha Kapalama 8-35. For the second week, they got tossed back again, against the Pearl City Chargers for a final score of 8-39. At the start of the game, Na Koa 'O Anuenue won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. The Chargers were the first to score when they took over possession of the ball. Their first play was a pass play that took them into the end zone for 6 points and a field goal conversion to lead 7-0 with 7 minutes and 34 seconds in the first quarter. From this point, the Chargers continued to dominate the game with more aerial attacks and interceptions. Although it was an uphill battle for the Na Koa 'O Anuenue, they never gave up. Some of their players suffered injuries which didn't help, but it was a good game between both teams. Congratulations to Coach Kai Kamaka, his staff and the Pearl City Chargers football team, and Coach Tim Wengler, his staff and the Na Koa O' Anuenue football team. Special thanks to Reid Shigemasa, the Athletic Director for Pearl City High School. For more photos "click here"

OIA East Red Division II Moanalua "vs" McKinley Tigers (Varsity) 28-20 (JV) 24-0

It was a dream come true last year for the Moanalua Na Menehune JV and Varsity teams when they took the OIA White Championship. They now start a new adventure and beginning in the OIA Red Division on Friday, August 13, 2010 against the McKinley Tigers. All their hard work and practice paid off tonight with the JV (24-0) and Varsity (28-20) both coming off with their first win against the Tigers. The Moanalua JV with mostly all new players this year did an outstanding job against the Tigers. As for the Varsity team, they too showed a lot of "spirit." They came out to play and were the first to score. The Na Menehune were very determined and held their ground as the Tigers caught up to them 22-20 going into the 4th quarter. The Tigers effort to tie the game for two points was stopped by the Menehune's #21 Anthony Locket (DB) who blocked a pass to McKinley player #7 Solomon Dixon (DB), and the score remained 22-20 in the 4th quarter with 10 minutes and 8 seconds left. It was a very "hot" game all night between both teams, so hot that the water sprinklers came on as you can see from the photo above. The Menehune's finally cooled things down and ended the game 28-20. Congratulations to the Moanalua Na Menehune football team, Coach Arnold Martinez and his staff for an exciting new beginning. To see more photos of Friday's game, "click here".

"2010 A NEW BEGINNING AND A NEW DIVISION"

For the Moanalua Na Menehune JV and Varsity Football team, it was a dream come true for all, especially with the Varsity team winning the OIA Championship in the White Division against Aiea 27-21 on November 6, 2009 at the Aloha Stadium. As I look back at the 2009 season, it was an "awesome" display of team work and hard work by all the players. I remember seeing them practice everyday and thinking during their games that the game isn't over until it's over. I think back especially to the game against Aiea on October 16, 2009 where "Nalea Trujillo" who at the time was a freshman on the JV Moanalua Football team and a former U.S. Youth Soccer player, kicked the winning field goal against Aiea ending the game 17-14. Talk about not giving up. What I witnessed last season was a true dream come true, and they all deserved it. Good luck Na Menehune, 2010 is a new beginning in the OIA Red Division. Keep the faith and continue with what you believe in and never give up. Win or lose, you all are brothers and sisters. Have a safe 2010 Football season. See photos, Moanalua "vs" Kaimuki High School Scrimmage game at Moanalua on 08/06/10. Click here.