HAWAII GIRL BRINGING ALOHA TO WALLACE STATE JUNIOR COLLEGE

Today, January 15, 2014 at Moanalua High School Student Center, Senior Leisha Yamaguchi signed with Wallace State Junior College located in Hanceville, Alabama in present of her parents Jack and Linda Yamaguchi and Head Softball Coach/PE Instructor Jayne Clem (photo above) . 

The Wallace State fast pitch softball is a national champion on the field and in the classroom. Wallace State softball won its second National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCCA) Division 1 National Championship during the 2013 season, adding to the first crown the program won in 2008. The Lady Lions were also national runner-up on two other occasions (2009 and 2010) and third in 2012.

As for Leisha Yamaguchi recognition to the Wallace State Junior College, I spoke to Coach Elaine Covin who retired from Alabama Southern Community College and she related Coach Clem and her were working a softball show case back in October in Las Vegas and just so happen Leisha was playing on a team that I coached and I was so impressed with Leisha that I made sure that she meet coach Clem and they got to know each other and here we are today in Hawaii.

I spoke to Leisha Yamaguchi's Moanalua Softball Head Coach, Kristi Morikawa and she related that Leisha has grown from a shy underclassman to a powerful and confident pitcher, one of the best in the state. Her hard work and dedication will carry her far in her career. Kristie said it has been a pleasure to coach her and we wish her the best. Moanalua Bowling Head Coach, Geri Mehrtens also related that Leisha joined the team in her sophomore year.  She earned the Scholar Girl Bowler in 2013 and will be a deserving recipient of the Most Inspirational Girl Bowler in 2014.  Leisha is reliable, focused, and always tries her utmost.  Statistically she did not have the highest average on the team, but could be counted on to wholly support the team on and off the lanes. Video of signing and more photos "click here."

DEFENSE WAS THE NAME OF THE GAME BETWEEN MOANALUA & ROOSEVELT

Tonight was the ice breaker between the Roosevelt Rough Riders (photo above) and Moanalua Na Menehune who are tied at 8-0, followed by Kailua 6-3, Kaiser 5-3, Kahuku 3-5, McKinley 2-6 and Kaimuki 0-9 in the OIA Red East Girls Basketball. As for the Division 1 overall 2013-2014 Girls Basketball statistics, Jasmine Moody of Radford is in first place followed by Taufau Williams of Kailua, LaChae McColor of Moanalua, Valerie Wilson of Kaimuki and Sarah Liva of Mililani.

The Roosevelt Rough Riders with their strong defense took the lead in the first period 24-8, and their three on one fast breaks and ball control continued to end the half at 34-16. No need to say more, but the Roosevelt Rough Riders fans, family and supporters were heard cheering all the way to Makiki as their team dominated the court at Moanalua High School Gym with #11 Sharice Kawakami (photo below) with 14points, followed by #24 Devyn Kauhi with 13 points

For the Moanalua Na Menehune Varsity Girls, it was Senior Night, and they were looking for a win in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division. In the second half they seemed to regroup and this time the cheering came from the Na Menehune supporters as they tried to close the gap in the 3rd period 35-50. Going into the 4th period they gave the Rough Riders a run for their money by keeping it within 10 points, but in the end Roosevelt's defense prevailed and ended the game 59-51.  More story and stats "click here" More candid photos "click here." Not all photos are uploaded. Please c'mon back Saturday, January 11, 2014.

HUB 2013 Goodwill Senior Bowl East "vs" West 20-7

The HUB 2013 Goodwill Senior Bowl East "vs" West was held at Mililani High School's John Kauinana Stadium on Friday, November 29, 2013. The East's Head Coach was Arnold Martinez, also Head Football Coach at Moanalua High School and the West's Head Coach was Rod York, also Head Football Coach at Mililani High School.

The game was a wet one with the rain coming and going, but it didn't hamper the players nor the families and supporters who braved the rain.  It was a great game with only 4 practices allowed prior to the event.  The East dominated the game with their passing by Micah Kaneshiro, Noah Brum and Kahoalii Karratti that ended the game East, 20 winning over the West, 7.

I spoke to Head Coach Arnold Martinez after the game and he related, "we had a great week of practice on the East, a lot of fun and the players from all the teams were great, great attitudes and worked really hard.  Our Moanalua Coaching staff and St. Louis Staff did a great job preparing the players for the game and it showed.  The players went out there and played hard and fast and got the win for the East which hasn't happened since 2010."

"The West had a great team and great coaches also, so it was a lot of fun.  I am very proud of our Moanalua players who represented Big Blue Nation very well, they made big plays and had a blast.  It was an honor to coach all the players and work with all the coaches."

The East Offensive Player of The Game was #9 Devan Stubblefield, Defensive Player of The Game was #92 Motu Heimuli and Special Teams Player of The Game was #22 Makena Johnston.  The West Offensive Player of The Game was #7 Isaac Hurd, Defensive Player of The Game was #33 KK Padello and Special Teams Player of The Game was #18 Jae Won Huh.  Impact Player of The Game was #57 Mark Failauga the only Waipahu player on the West.  Candid photos "click here."

OIA East 2013-2014 Pre Season Swim Meet at Kalani High School

The OIA East 2013-2014 Pre Season Swim Meet was held at Kalani High School on Saturday, November 23, 2012 from 10am to 2pm. The schools participating were Kaiser, Kalani, Moanalua, Roosevelt, Castle, McKinley and Farrington High School.

Some of the highlight events; The Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay, Kaiser took 1st with a time of 2:03.59, followed by Kalani 2:04.72 and Moanalua 2:05.22.  The Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay, Kalani took first with a time of 1:43.73 followed by Kaiser 1:49.94, and Castle 1:56.94.

The Girls 200 Yard IM, 1st Place Kaiser Senior Corrine Shigeta with a time of 2:16.83 followed by Moanalua Sophomore Aimee Iwamoto (center photo above) with a time of 2:17.11, and Kaiser Junior Moon Jung Kim with a time of 2:24.64.  The Boys 200 Yard IM, 1st Place Moanalua Sophomore Christian Nishimura with a time of 2:07.11 followed by Kalani Senior Micahel Sakai 2:07.79 and Kaiser Junior Daniel Yuen-Schat 2:26.04.

The Girls 100 Yard Back, 1st Place Moanalua Sophomore Aimee Iwamoto (photo left) with a time of 1:05.08 followed by Moanalua Sophomore Jessica Luong 1:08.09 and Kaiser Freshman, Hanna Heiss 1:10.02.  The Boys 100 Yard Back, 1st Place Kalani Senior Anson Tam with a time of 58.97 followed by Kaiser  Junior Daniel Yuen-Schat 59.43 and Roosevelt Senior Ronald MacMaster 1:07.86. For more candid photos, "click here"

Kaiser Girls Basketball 2013 Pre Season Tournament and MVP Presentation Awards

The Kaiser Girls 2013 Basketball Pre Season Tournament was held on November 14-16, at the Henry J. Kaiser High School gym coordinated by Girls Basketball Head Coach Simon Bitanga.  On Thursday, November 14, Honoka'a vs Roosevelt 39-70, Lahainaluna vs Punahou 51-50, KS-Kapalama vs Moanalua 71-33 and Kaiser vs Konawaena 45-47.

Friday, November 15th, Moanalua vs Honoka'a (photo above) 48-56. With 1:28 on the clock the score remained at 44-46 and it was a thriller all the way down to 0:11 seconds that ended Konawaena vs KS-Kapalama 44-46, Kaiser vs Lahainaluna 38-87 and Roosevelt vs Punahou 57-69.

Saturday, November 16th final game and MVP Presentation and Awards , JV Game Kaiser vs Leilehua 47-25, Punahou vs Moanalua 72-44. MVP Punahou #13 Hailey Motooka and Moanalua #11 Ciera Obrien. Konawaena vs Roosevelt 57-54. MVP Konawaena #11 Chanel Molina and Roosevelt #11 Sharice Kawakami. KS-Kapalama vs Lahainaluna 61-46. MVP KS-Kapalama #21 Tiare Kanoa and Lahainaluna #23 Lidsey Bates. Kaiser vs Honoka'a 36-46. MVP Kaiser #21 Skye Keao and Honoka'a #14 Hunter Liftee (photo above bottom center). Congratulation to all that participated at this years Kaiser Girls Basketball Pre Season Tournament. Candid photos are being uploaded. "Special" Mahalo to Aunty Leis kitchen crew who kept the fans appetite satisfied "especially" my "Opu" (tummy) for being there 3 days. "Click Here" to see the 3 day games.

20th Annual First Hawaiian Bank "Moanalua PEEK Girls Basketball Tournament."

It was an exciting 3 days of basketball at the 20th Annual First Hawaiian Bank "Moanalua PEEK Girls Basketball Tournament" held at Moanalua High School gymnasium Nov. 7-9.  Participating were Hawaii Baptist Academy, Leilehua High School, Mililani High School,Moanalua High School, Radford High School, Nanakuli High School, St. Andrew's Priory, and St. Frances High School.

The scores in the first round playoffs on Thursday were Radford HS over Hawaii Baptist Academy 39-33, Mililani HS over St. Frances HS 72-29, Leilehua HS over St. Andrew's Priory 70-20 and Moanalua HS over Nanakuli HS 49-46.  The second round playoff scores on Friday were St. Frances HS over Hawaii Baptist Academy 47-36, Nanakuli HS over St. Andrew's Priory 60-7, Mililani HS over Radford HS 46-35 and Moanalua HS over Leilehua 59-37.

The scores in the final game playoffs on Saturday were Hawaii Baptist Academy over St. Andrew's Priory 49-5, and Radford HS over Leilehua HS 45-39.  Mililani HS won the Tournament to beat out Moanalua 46-41. This game was a hard fought one between the Mililani Trojans and Moanalua Na Menehune.  At half time it was 24-21and with 3:48 in period 4, it was tied at 35-35 and again 41-41 with 1:16 left on the clock.  Penalties plagued the Na Menehunes in the end and the Trojans free throws ended the game 46-41.  As for the Consolation Champions, it went to Nanakuli HS over St. Frances HS 40-29.  More on stats; "scoring live.com" Candid photos will be added "click here."

New City Nissan 2013-2014 HHSAA Division II Girls Volleyball Champs "Konawaena Wildcats." 25-16 24-26 25-18 25-21

The Konawaena High School "Wildcats" out played the Hawaii Preparatory Academy "Ka Makani" at McKinley High School on Oahu, 25-16 24-26 25-18 25-21.  The excitement filled the gym by both parents and supporters. The Wildcats took the 1st set 25-26 and Hawaii Prep came roaring back like the "wind" to take the 2nd game 26-24, but #11 Chanelle Molina was a "wildcat" by leaping high and making her "kills" over and over for 28 kills and 20 digs, for the night and taking their first 2013-2014 New City Nissan HHSAA Division II Girls Volleyball State Championship - Friday, November 1, 2013. As for the Hawaii Prep, #8 Gabbie Ewing end the night with 22 kills and 25 digs. I spoke to the "Wildcats" Head Coach Ainsley Keawekane and he was over joyed and loss for words and just wanted to relate back home that they are coming home with the "Championship" a well deserve team that played their hearts out and never looked back. Candid photos "click here." HHSAA "click here."