Castle football player Ikaika Urasaki and Kamehameha girls' volleyball player Alohi Robins-Hardy led their teams to big wins over the weekend. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Ikaika Urasaki, Castle football

Ikaika Urasaki had a game to remember and it came just six days after one he'd like to forget.

The Castle senior made his presence felt in all three phases of the Knights' 21-7 upset of McKinley Friday. Urasaki factored into all three of his team's scores with two receiving touchdowns, an interception return for touchdown and a pair of extra points.

"He's an outstanding guy who plays three ways for us," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said of Urasaki. "He's one of our best receivers, he plays free safety and cornerback and returns kicks for us. He's on the field for us the majority of the game and he's just so athletic - he's a playmaker - so we try to get him ball if we can."

Urasaki, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound junior, caught 12 passes for 108 yards against the Tigers. He caught touchdown passes of 16 and 24 yards from Pono Makekau in the first half and sealed the victory with his 59-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter.

"It was 14-7 at that point with the time winding down and they're on their drive and we're having nightmares of two weeks in a row being up 14-7, going into overtime and losing a game," Maeda said. "That interception was great and the return for a touchdown was really the icing on the cake."

It was a bit of redemption for Urasaki and the Knights, who had lost their previous two games in overtime to Kailua (23-20) and Farrington (20-14), respectively. Against the Surfriders, Urasaki missed a potential go-ahead field goal in overtime and a week later, he had a chance to put his team ahead in the extra period, but his field goal try was blocked by a Governor defender.

"We tell the players that they can't dwell on the shortcomings of our team or whoever in the game," Maeda said. "They just have to learn from it and move on. (Urasaki) was in some pressure situations the past two games, so I'm sure he feels good about his contribution to the team effort last week. It was very redeeming for him."

Urasaki leads the team in receptions (22), receiving yards (256), receiving touchdowns (5) and scoring (45 points). He ranks third in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Red East Conference in receiving yards.

"He is a very confident player and a very experienced player," Maeda said. "He's one where when the chips are down, he's not afraid to carry the load or have the responsibility put on his shoulders."

Maeda said Urasaki's elusiveness makes him a tough receiver to defend for opposing teams.

"He is a great offensive threat for us," Maeda said. "He has great speed, great quickness. You know, soccer is his primary sport, so he has what I call wiggle - he makes you miss in the open field. We're very fortunate that football is part of his athletic endeavors here at Castle."

It was a much-needed victory for the Knights, who improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the Red East.

"We played a very, very good McKinley team, so as far as our mental psyche - especially after those two tough overtime losses - it was a good win," Maeda said. "As far as the pecking order of the East, it would have been tough to be 0-3, so 1-2 is a world of difference for us and I think it will help us mentally in practice, too."


Female Athlete of the Week: Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha girls volleyball

As a fourth-year starter for the Kamehameha girls volleyball team, Alohi Robins-Hardy knows she is looked upon as a leader. She did just that Saturday, leading the Warriors to a sweep over previously-unbeaten Punahou in a key Interscholastic League of Honolulu match.

Robins-Hardy put down a team-high six kills with eight assists, eight digs and two blocks, helping Kamehameha to a decisive 25-22, 25-16 win before a home crowd of about 300 fans at Kekuhaupio Gym.

"It's a big step for us," said Robins-Hardy, a 6-foot-1 senior. "We just have to use it as a more fuel to move on for the next step and just keep working hard in practice and improve everyday."

The win served as a bit of revenge for the Warriors, who have dropped the last two Division I state titles matches to the Buffanblu.

"Yes, definitely for our returnees - we know how it feels to be on the losing side of states, so it kind of motivates us to just work as hard as we can everyday," Robins-Hardy said.

In Saturday's match, Kamehameha grinded out a 3-point win in game one after Punahou had taken a 22-21 lead.

"I believe we took a timeout and recuperated and just needed to resettle things and just be a team, encourage each other to fight through it, get one point at a time and that's what we did," said Robins-Hardy, a first team All-ILH selection last year.

After a 12-all tie in game two, the Warriors used a seven-point run to separate from the Buffanblu and cruised to the win.

While it was clearly his team's biggest win of the young season, Kamehameha coach Chris Blake knows it's a long road to the state tournament.

"It's a process with us and our girls understand in terms of where we're at, but it was a great win for us in the sense that our team came together and executed our game plan," said Blake, who led the Warriors to six straight D1 state crowns from 2005 to 2010. "We're playing to some potential - and this win over Punahou was a building block - but we're nowhere near where we need to be, so we have a long way to go."

Blake said Robins-Hardy - and her leadership - will be a key factor if Kamehameha is to win its 18th state championship in school history in 2013.

"She has embraced the leadership role this year and she's willing to do the little things that have to get done in order for success to happen," Blake said of Robins-Hardy. "She's always had a great desire to be successful, but this year she's taken the next step and being a lot more directive. A lot of kids already look up to her because of her play. She understands that and she embraces it - she knows that's part of her role - to make the people around her better."

That's a role that Robins-Hardy is just fine with.

"I expected it, you know, being a four-year varsity member, I need to lead the team and encourage the team and keep them hungry for where we want to be at the end of the season," said Robins-Hardy, who was a freshman the last time Kamehameha won a state championship.

If Robins-Hardy has her way, that will change this season.

"We have three goals: the first one is to win the ILH first round and get a state-tournament berth, the second is to win the ILH title and the third is to win states."

The Warriors (3-0) continue their quest toward a title Tuesday with a home game against Mid-Pacific.



Week 4 Top Performers

Bronson Ader, Mililani - Caught seven passes for 102 yards with two touchdowns in win over Waipahu

Manaia Atuaia, Kahuku - Intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in win over Moanalua

Sione Atuekaho, Hilo - Threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another score in win over Keaau

Noah Auld, Kailua - Passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns in loss to Farrington

Jeshua Bitanga, Kaiser — Rushed three times for 121 yards with two touchdowns and scored on an 80-yard interception return in win over Waialua

Noah Brum, Kalani - Completed 32 of 57 pass attempts for 387 yards with five touchdowns in loss to Radford

Raymond Caayon, Saint Louis - Rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns in win over Pac-Five

Bubba Ellis-Noa, Konawaena - Rushed 14 times for 103 yards and a touchdown in win over Honokaa

Koa Ellis, Hawaii Prep - Threw two touchdown passes in win over Kealakehe

Justin Dupio, Pearl City - Rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns in win over Kalaheo

Mack Eberhardt, Leilehua - Threw for 253 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards and another score in loss to Waianae

Breiden Fehoko, Farrington - Recorded four sacks in win over Kailua

Bryce Felipe, Waiakea - Passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns in loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Fitou Fisiiahi, Kaiser - Rushed seven times for 125 yards and a touchdown in win over Waialua

Dusty Flores, Baldwin - Rushed for two touchdowns in win over Kamehameha-Maui

Koolauloa Gaspar, Kailua - Caught 12 passes for 103 yards in loss to Farrington

Kellen Gillins, Hawaii Prep - Scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in win over Kealakehe

Enrique Gruver, Kalani - Rushed 11 times for 128 yards in loss to Radford

Chad Hanaoka, Iolani - Caught 10 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in loss to Kamehameha

Absolom Henry, Radford - Caught six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in win over Kalani

Brandon Howes, Konawaena - Threw five touchdown passes in win over Honokaa

Leki Hufunga, Farrington - Rushed for 113 yards in win over Kailua

Donovan Jose-Maa, Hilo - Scored on a 73-yard kickoff return in win over Keaau

Keaho Kaakimaka, Kealakehe - Caught two touchdown passes in loss to Hawaii Prep

Kawelakeapono Kaeo-Mata, Baldwin - Caught two touchdown passes in win over Kamehameha-Maui

Brandon Kahookele, Kamehameha - Carried 27 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns in win over Iolani

Ioane Kaluhiokalani, Waianae - Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in win over Leilehua

Dylan Kane, Kamehameha - Scored on a 26-yard interception return in win over Iolani

Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii - Threw three touchdown passes in win over Waiakea

Kamuela Kawamoto, Kamehameha-Hawaii - Caught two touchdown passes in win over Waiakea

Keoni Keanini, Kamehameha-Maui - Caught two touchdown passes in loss to Baldwin

AJ Grace-Kekawa, Anuenue - Rushed for two touchdowns in loss to Roosevelt

Donavan Kelley, Hilo - Threw a touchdown pass, rushed for a score and caught a touchdown pass in win over Keaau

Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis - Threw three touchdown passes in win over Pac-Five

Sanele Lavatai, Farrington - Rushed 14 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns in win over Kailua

Thomas Leong, Kaiser - Rushed four times for 120 yards and two touchdowns in win over Kaiser

Montana Liana, Farrington - Passed for 205 yards and a touchdown in win over Kailua

Faafatai Lulu, Saint Louis - Scored on a 25-yard interception return in win over Pac-Five

Bobby Lum, Hawaii Prep - Rushed for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in win over Kealakehe

Pono Makekau, Castle — Completed 22 of 29 pass attempts for 199 yards and a touchdown in win over McKinley

Ronald Matautia, Waianae - Scored three rushing touchdowns in win over Leilehua

Reggie McFadden, Kauai - Rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown in win over Kapaa

McKenzie Milton, Mililani - Passed for 159 yards and two touchdowns in win over Waipahu

Chase Newton, Kamehameha-Maui - Threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another score in loss to Baldwin

Adam Noga, Saint Louis - Rushed five times for 149 yards and two touchdowns in win over Pac-Five

Tanner Oshiro, Saint Louis - Scored on a 42-yard interception return in win over Pac-Five

Jameson Pasigan, Radford - Caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in win over Kalani

Kainalu Pitoy, Roosevelt - Rushed for three touchdowns in win over Anuenue

Tobias Powell, Radford - Rushed 13 times for 173 yards with four touchdowns in win over Kalani

Devin Preston, Waiakea - Rushed 24 times for 115 yards with two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Brandon Roberts, Kalani — Caught 10 passes for 154 yards and four touchdowns in loss to Radford

Ishmil Scott, Moanalua - Rushed for two touchdowns in loss to Kahuku

Jason Sharsh, Moanalua - Caught 12 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in loss to Kahuku

Stanton Spencer, Waianae - Made a pair of field goals and three extra points in win over Leilehua

Tristin Spikes, Hilo - Rushed 11 times for 164 yards in win over Keaau

Trensten Spragling, Waianae - Rushed 14 times for 120 yards in win over Leilehua

Devon Stubblefield, Saint Louis - Caught two touchdown passes in win over Pac-Five

Jordan Taamu, Pearl City - Threw two touchdown passes in win over Kalaheo

Chase Takaki, Konawaena - Caught six passes for 143 yards and three touchdown passes in win over Honokaa

Wayne Talaupapa, Punahou — Rushed for two touchdowns in win over Damien

Ina Teofilo, Kamehameha-Hawaii - Rushed 30 times for 129 yards and a touchdown in loss to Waiakea

Larry Tuileta, Punahou - Threw three touchdown passes in win over Damien

Kristian Vaana-Kikuayama, Pearl City - Scored on a 70-yard interception return in win over Kalaheo

Christian Whitehead, Lahainaluna - Rushed for two touchdowns in win over King Kekaulike

Kaimi Wilson, Kealakehe - Threw two touchdown passes in loss to Hawaii Prep

Kainoa Wilson, Mililani - Caught six passes for 121 yards in win over Waipahu

Tuli Wily-Matagi, Kahuku - Passed for 102 yards with a touchdown and rushed for 69 yards and another score in win over Moanalua

Jonathan Yi, Roosevelt - Scored on a 58-yard interception return in win over Anuenue