Top Performers
Konawaena's Bredeson, Aiea's Strom-Okimoto collect top honors




Male Athlete of the Week: Jonah Bredeson, Konawaena basketball
In three games on Oahu over the weekend, all Jonah Bredeson did was score a combined 55 points. Not bad for a someone feeling under the weather.

The senior swingman led his team in scoring in each contest to lead Konawaena to the championship of the Pete Smith Classic boys basketball preseason tournament Thursday through Saturday.

Bredeson scored 21 points in a 65-48 win over Mililani, followed that with 15 points in a 71-61 win over Saint Francis and wrapped up the weekend with 19 points in a thrilling 54-53 win over tournament-host Kalaheo.

"I think he played great, especially considering he was sick most of the week," Wildcats' coach Donald Awa said. "He's our main scorer, he's one of our better rebounders and he draws the tough assignment on defense — he does a little bit of everything for us."

Bredeson, who has been a starter on Awa's varsity team since his freshman year, also shot 90 percent (18 of 20) from the free-throw line and averaged 18.3 points for the tournament, helping Konawaena to wins over the reigning Division II-champion Saints and D1-champ Mustangs on consecutive nights.

"It was a great weekend for us," said Awa, whose team is 6-1 in the preseason. "To beat Mililani — which is another solid team — and then Saint Francis and then Kalaheo were big wins. We can't replicate those types of scenarios in practice. It meant a lot to the boys to beat last season's champions, but even if we didn't win, it was worth the trip because they played well in all of our games."

Awa said that Bredeson is the catalyst for the Wildcats, who hope to contend for the D1 title in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation this season.

"When everything breaks down, we try to get the ball into Jonah's hands and he can usually get a pretty good shot off," Awa said. "He can create his own shot, he's a good ball-handler, he's good under pressure and he's got that inside-outside game. Plus, he's a good free-throw shooter."

Konawaena doesn't have the luxury of a deep bench — it had just eight players available for each game on Oahu — but Awa said his players know each others' tendencies and are on the same page.

"I think our biggest thing is our chemistry, that's probably our biggest strength," Awa said. "A lot of them have been playing club ball together — some since they were 5 or 6 years old. Even during timeouts, I give some points, but let them talk the other 10 to 15 seconds because they know what to do. The biggest thing is the this group of boys enjoy playing together."

Awa is banking on that chemistry to help Konawaena make a run at a league title and a state-tournament berth come February.

"As far as the BIIF, Waiakea is right up there," Awa said. "Hilo has a good weekend at their tournament and (Kamehameha-Hawaii) is right there, too. This year our regular-season champion gets an automatic berth to states, so that's what we've got to shoot for."

Bredeson and the Wildcats return to the hardcourt Wednesday against Australia 2 in the World Youth Basketball Holiday Invitational at Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona.

Female Athlete of the Week: Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Aiea soccer
Raisa Strom-Okimoto is coming back with a vengeance.

After missing all of last season with a torn ACL, the junior has already scored nine goals through four games for Aiea this season, including seven in a pair of wins last week.

"Raisa has been our best player since her freshman year," Na Alii coach Benji Villaflor said. "It was tough on her when she tore her ACL and she was out last year, but she works hard and she has a winning mentality — she's really a coach's player."

Strom-Okimoto scored twice in a 3-1 win over Waianae Tuesday and netted five goals in an 8-0 win over Waipahu Friday.

"She's just a dominant player," Villaflor said of Strom-Okimoto, who has already given a verbal commitment to play for the University of Hawaii in 2015. "Her work ethic is what stands out about her — we don't necessarily have to motivate her. She raises the level of all of our girls, they all try to keep up with her or try to perform with her at practice. She's a positive influence on the team."

Despite the strong start, Villaflor said Strom-Okimoto is still not at full strength off the knee injury.

"She's not back at 100 percent yet," he said. "She's dominating, but her fitness and physical ability are not quite there yet — she's probably about 80 to 90 percent — but hopefully in the next couple of months she'll be back to 100 percent."

Villaflor said opposing teams map out strategies to try and contain Strom-Okimoto, but she handles it well.

"She's marked in every game, but we adapt to that," Villaflor said. "We already put the pressure on her in practice, so she's prepared for that and even with one of two, sometimes even three girls marking her, she does some incredible stuff in the games and rises above it."

The 5-foot-5 Strom-Okimoto, who plays the center-midfield position, has led Aiea to a 3-1 record in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division — one game behind division-leaders Kapolei and Campbell.

"Our players definitely want to win," Villaflor said. "They want to make it to states again, because we made it two years ago but missed out on states last year."

After a 5-1 loss to Campbell to open the regular season back on Dec. 3, Na Alii rebounded with a 3-2 road win over perennial-contender Pearl City three days later and have reeled off three consecutive victories.

"They came back on that Friday and pulled out a really tough game against Pearl City and I guess from there they kind of picked things up," Villaflor said.

Strom-Okimoto and Aiea continue league play with a home game against Radford Tuesday afternoon.


BOYS BASKETBALL

Daniel Andrews, Punahou — Scored 14 points in a win over Kahuku Wednesday, 27 points in a win over Moanalua Thursday and 15 points in a win over Kalani Friday

Samuta Avea, Kahuku — Scored 17 points in a loss to Saint Louis Friday

Brandon Awa, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Mililani Thursday

Elijah Butler, Mililani — Scored 20 points in a win over Campbell Friday, 13 points in a win over Maryknoll II Saturday

Joshua Burnett, Maryknoll — Scored 26 points in a win over Moanalua Wednesday, 25 points in a win over Kalani Thursday and 34 points in a loss to Farrington Friday

Ryan Carvalho, Kohala — Scored 25 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii Friday

Gilbert Dayanan, Campbell — Scored 18 points in a loss to Mililani Friday

Kealan Figueroa, Kohala — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii Friday

Kaleb Gilmore, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Moanalua Wednesday, 19 points in a win over Kalani Thursday and 22 points in a loss to Farrington Friday

BJ Hosaka, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kalani Monday

Van Hugo, Farrington — Scored 17 points in a win over Maryknoll Friday

Ihaka Johnson, Saint Louis — Scored 15 points in a loss to Farrington Thursday

Chance Kalugher, Kaiser — Scored 28 points in a win over Waipahu Wednesday

Noa Kinimaka, Kamehameha — Scored 16 points in a loss to Saint Francis Monday and 18 points in a win over Kahuku Thursday,

Jaylen Layco, Damien — Scored 25 points in a win over Radford Wednesday

Dayton Lee, McKinley — Scored 14 points in a win over Kapolei Friday and 19 points in a win over Leilehua Saturday

Laa Manliguis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points in a win over Kohala Friday

Braden Matsuzaki, Punahou II — Scored 19 points in a loss to Saint Francis Saturday

Jacob McEnroe, Farrington — Scored 23 points in a win over Maryknoll Friday

Jimmy Nunuha III, Saint Louis — Scored 18 points in a loss to Farrington Thursday and 19 points in a win over Kahuku Friday

Matthew Nuumanaia, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points in a win over Kamehameha Monday and 24 points in a win over Punahou II Saturday

Brandon Roberts, Kalani — Scored 15 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist Monday and 21 points in a loss to Kamehameha Wednesday

Isaiah Smith, Farrington — Scored 22 points in a win over Maryknoll Friday

Jaycob Smith, Kamehameha — Scored 17 points in a loss to Farrington Wednesday and 14 points in a win over Maoanlua Friday

Fatu Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha — Scored 17 points in a win over Moanalua Friday

Alex Tatum, Le Jardin — Scored 21 points in a loss to Maryknoll II Friday

Alexander Tungpalan, Kalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist Monday and 20 points in a loss to Kamehameha Wednesday,

Pukana Vincent, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points in a win over Kohala Friday

Isaiah Visoria, Farrington — Scored 16 points in a win over Saint Louis Thursday and 15 points in a win over Farrington Friday

Dayson Watanabe, Punahou — Scored 15 points in a win over Kahuku Wednesday and 16 points in a win over Moanalua Thursday

Jamaal Willis, Moanalua — Scored 19 points in a loss to Punahou Thursday and 15 points in a loss to Kamehameha Friday

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tywanna Abbott, Leilehua — Scored 20 points in a win over Campbell Tuesday and 17 points in a win over Pearl City Thursday

Krystle Aceret, Waipahu — Scored 21 points in a loss to Waianae Thursday

Chantelle Arce, Kaiser — Scored 16 points in a win over Castle Thursday

Jade Botelho, Iolani — Scored 15 points in a loss to Westview (Ore.) Saturday

Chailey Cabalis, Hilo — Scored 16 points in a loss to Maryknoll Friday

Tayhila-Lee Chong, Waianae — Scored 21 points in a win over Waipahu Thursday

Darrien Dacosin, Castle — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kaiser Thursday

Mich'lae Higa, Aiea — Scored 18 points in a win over Waialua Thursday

Tailii Iinuma, Kalani — Scored 17 points in a loss to Moanalua Thursday

Penina Faumui, Farrington — Scored 21 points in a loss to Moanalua Tuesday

Carly Kakuda, Kalani — Scored 22 points in a win over McKinley Tuesday

Brooke Kaneshiro, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over McKinley Thursday

Sharice Kawakami, Roosevelt — Scored 16 points in a win over Kailua

Sierra Koki, Castle — Scored 16 points in a win over Kahuku Tuesday

Jayde Libby, Waipahu — Scored 27 points in a loss to Waianae Thursday

Sarah Liva, Mililani — Scored 21 points in a win over Waipahu Tuesday

LaChae McColor, Moanalua — Scored 24 points in a win over Farrington Tuesday and 25 points in a win over Kalani Thursday

Jasmine Moody, Radford — Scored 20 points in a loss to Nanakuli Thursday

Tristyn Nishibun, Kalani — Scored 16 points in a win over McKinley Tuesday and 16 points in a loss to Moanalua Thursday

Aaliyah Pana, Hilo — Scored 22 points in a loss to Westview (Ore.) Thursday

Alexis Paulo-Meyers, Nanakuli — Scored 15 points in a win over Waianae Tuesday

Alohi Robbins-Hardy, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a win over Hilo Saturday

Sheastel Tiumalu, Castle — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kaiser Thursday

Jeneva Toilolo, Farrington — Scored 26 points in a loss to Moanalua Tuesday

Patria Vaimaona, Kailua — Scored 17 points in a win over Kaimuki Thursday

Jazmayne Williams, McKinley — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kalani Tuesday

Taufua Williams, Kailua — Scored 17 points in a win over Kaimuki Thursday

Valerie Wilson, Kaimuki — Scored 27 points in a loss to Kalaheo Tuesday and 15 points in a loss to Kailua Thursday

BOYS SOCCER
KJ Ahlo, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday and two goals in a win over Saint Louis Saturday

Dylan Cabalang, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Friday

PJ Chang, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley Wednesday

Marcelo Dadino, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli Tuesday

Chris Galang, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli Thursday

Treston Ijiri, Moanalua — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki Friday

Nick Ishikawa, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Friday

Takahiro Kosins, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Kahuku Wednesday

Sylas Leb, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Timmy Leong, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

Christian Longnecker, Kaiser — Scored four goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Mario Manrique, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Steven Mau, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Keo Ponce, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua Friday

Jonathan Ramirez, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu Tuesday

Jake Samsel, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a loss to Kalani Wednesday

Kei Tomozawa, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

GIRLS SOCCER
Hoku Afong, Moanalua — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki Saturday

Alicia Chang, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Vanessa Chinen, Castle — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley Wednesday

Cailla Fabro, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua Friday

Randi Fontes, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua Friday

Tia Furuta, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli Thursday

Jaselyn Gonsalves, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua Tuesday

Haley Graham, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Kiley Haraguchi, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Radford

Kai Hasegawa, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Kalaheo Saturday

Pikake Hix, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani Wednesday

Sandy Hopeau, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua Friday

Tasha Inong, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua Tuesday and two goals in a win over Leilehua Friday

Pikake Kaneshiro, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Noelle Mercado, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Anessa Ridley, Moanalua — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki Saturday

Chelsie Sugioka, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Lina Takada, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Kayla Watanabe, Mid-Pacific — Scored three goals in a win over Saint Francis Tuesday

Alyssa Yoshida, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua Friday



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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