2014 OIA High School Golf Tournament #3 at Makalena Golf Course

Spring sports have started for Varsity baseball, golf, judo, softball, tennis, track & field, boys volleyball and water polo here in Hawaii.  The weather hasn't been very cooperative these past few weeks, but it hasn't dampened the spirit of our young talented high school kids, as I've seen on the golf course for one.  It's hard to cover all the sports, so I decided to cover the 2014 OIA High School Boys & Girls Golf Tournament.

I must say that we have great talent among our high schools and as always, Moanalua High School keeps churning out the talent, like John Oda who finished second at last year's State Championship.  This year, Moanalua's team led by Head Coach Gordon Yuen consists of 6 boys and 2 girls including Brent Grant who shot a 66 at the OIA Golf Tournament held at the Makalena Golf Course followed by Kyosuke Hara 67; Desmond Mello 71; Shawn Lu 72; Kenneth Won 76; and Nick Nelson 78.  The girls are Lesa Isabella (photo above) who shot 75, and Randi Kim 80.  It will be a very interesting year for all to watch, keep your eyes on the Moanalua Na Menehunes.

The OIA Championship this year will be held at Turtle Bay on April 22-23 and the HHSAA Championship for the Girls on April 29-30; the Boys on May 1-2.  For candid photos "click here." OIA results "click here"

Moanalua Na Menehune Takes The McKinley Tigers Into Overtime.

Super Bowl Thursday was held at McKinley High School Student Council Gymnasium between the McKinley Tigers (5-4) and the Moanalua Na Menehune (7-2) Varsity Boys Basketball team in the OIA Red East Division.  The Tigers held the lead 23-13, 41-30 and 55-50 in each respective period, but with 45 seconds left on the clock in the 4th period, the Na Menehune caught up to tie the game 64-64. McKinley Tiger #24, Dayton Lee attempted to break the tie with 12 seconds left, but failed and the game went into overtime.

The Moanalua boys turned on the after burners in overtime and scored 9 points before the Tigers finally added 4 more points.  With 25 seconds left on the clock, and a free throw by Na Menehune #3 Aljohn Bumangiag (photo above), ended the game 73-68.  What a disappointment for the Tigers who fall to 5-5 and the Na Menehune move up 8-2 in the OIA Red East Division.  Candid Video and Photos, "click here."

The OIA Championship Tesoro Hawaiian Cup Awarded to Waianae High School

The OIA High School Paddling Championship was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon on Saturday, January 18, 2014. The top 6 qualifying for the HHSAA Varsity Boys are Kalaheo, Kaiser, McKinley, Kailua, Moanalua and Kalani. The Top 6 qualifying for the HHSAA Varsity Girls are Anuenue, Kalaheo, Waianae, Moanalua, Leilehua and Kaiser. The top 6 qualifying for the HHSAA Varsity Mixed are Kaiser, Kalaheo, Moanalua, Kaimuki, McKinley and Waianae that will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2004.

The over all combined High School Boys and Girls crews for "Outstanding Performance" at the OIA Annual Championship Outrigger Canoe Regatta which has accumulated points in the boys, girls and mixed crews are counted throughout the year and this award goes to the team that accumulated 141 points through the regatta season and the Tesoro Hawaiian Cup (photo above) award goes to Waianae High School. Candid photos are being worked on, for now "click here."

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"