Pearl City senior quarterback Jordan Taamu and Kamehameha senior outside hitter Tiyana Hallums led their respective teams to big postseason wins last week. Evan Asato | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Jordan Taamu, Pearl City football
Jordan Taamu was a surgeon Saturday night.

The senior Pearl City quarterback completed 19 of his 32 pass attempts for 215 yards and a season-high five touchdowns in the Chargers' 35-20 win over Radford in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II semifinal game. All of Taamu's touchdown passes went to a different pass catcher. 

Whether it was to a receiver on the outside, a slot receiver running a bubble screen, a tight end coming off a chip block or a running back leaking out of the backfield, Taamu made sure everyone had a hand in the victory.

"It's easy to spread the ball around because all our receivers well rounded. We always practice on not hitting the same person every time – and to try and get other people a chance. As a quarterback its great for me because its so many options that I can choose from," said Taamu.

Another area of the game that Taamu excels in is in his ability to extend plays with his feet. Taamu's first half touchdowns against Radford saw him buy enough time in the pocket to deliver a four and five yard scoring strikes in the red zone. He also broke loose on a 21-yard scamper that set up Pearl City's first score of the game.

"If he wanted to he can run a lot more than he's supposed to – but he takes his time, doesn't forced anything. He tries to make plays from his arms first and let the receivers catch the ball. He has the legs to run if he wanted to, but its up to him. He has the green light if he wants to run or throw; we leave it up to him," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami.

The 6-foot-2, 185-lb signal caller's smooth, silky style of play has him ranked amongst the top statistical quarterbacks across the state. In Division II Taamu is tied for first in most touchdown passes (23) with Pac-Five's Kainoa Ferreira. The only difference is that Taamu will play at least two more games before the season is over while Ferreira played his last game two weeks ago.

Taamu is also second in completion percentage (61.6) in Division II and first amongst those who attempted over a 100 passes. Coach Kami can see the development that has allowed Taamu to have success. 

"I think with one year under his belt and this being his second year playing quarterback at the varsity level, I think now he knows the speed of the game and the quickness of it. The defenses are faster, bigger and stronger. Now he knows he has to get the ball quicker (to its target) instead of lobbing it down. He knows when to touch pass or to lob it. That one year under his belt is big for him."

The second year starter currently maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is hoping to play at the next level. Division I FBS schools that are showing interest in Taamu are UNLV and Nevada.

Taamu and the rest of the Chargers will look to capture a league title with a win over Nanakuli in the OIA Division II championship game Friday.

-Michael Lasquero

Female Athlete of the Week: Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha volleyball
Although Tiyana Hallums led Kamehameha-Kapalama with a game-high 22 kills against Punahou in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season finale, the senior outside hitter steps up in other ways to help her team.

"She has been a rock for us and is one of our captains doing those things. Besides what she does offensively, her defense and the little things she does too helps to make sure that we stay together. She closes our timeouts and she talks to the girls to get them going," said Kamehameha coach Chris Blake, praising Hallums.

Hallums played with a lot of passion and intensity and her teammates fed off of her energy. She attacked early and racked up 10 kills in the first set and after the third set she accumulated 20 kills. She also added a key kill in the fifth set to help her team pull away toward the end.

Despite being a leader on the team and her outstanding performance against Punahou, she is very humble and wouldn't take the credit without acknowledging her teammates, because without them, they wouldn't be where they are this season.

"Honestly this has been a good season for us, it really isn't all about me -- I might sound repetitive, but I really am proud of everybody-- it's always a team effort. Setters give me the ball and the passers give them an easier time, it's just a great team effort," said Hallums.  

Kamehameha ran into some adversity as senior setter Kamalani Akeo went down with a leg injury late in the fourth set, but the Warriors rallied together and pulled through to outlast Punahou in five sets.  

"This team is unlike any I've ever played for and I say that honestly. We have each others' backs and I'm proud of everyone and our team's depth is phenomenal. That's our resilience and we practice that in practice all the time," said Hallums.  

After finishing 15-0 in the ILH, the Warriors were rewarded the top-seed and a first round bye in the New City Nissan Division I Girls Volleyball Championships. They will play the winner of Waiakea/Mililani on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Moanalua High School at 7 pm.

-Brandon Ching

AIR RIFLERY
Evan Ebesu, Pac-Five — Won the ILH boys individual championship with a score of 540

Isabel Villanueva, Saint Francis — Won the ILH girls' inidividual championship with a score of 550

BOWLING
Nicholas Lacaden, University High — Won the ILH boys individual championship with a three-game score of 653

Anastasia Saili, Punahou — Won the ILH girls individual championship with a three-game score of 630

CROSS COUNTRY
Makai Clemons, Kalaheo — Won the OIA boys individual crown in a time of 16 minutes, 7.85 seconds

Louie Ondo, Waiakea — Won the BIIF boys individual crown in a time of 17 minutes, 23.21 seconds

Mehana Sabado-Halpern, Hilo — Won the BIIF girls individual crown in a time of 21 minutes, 0.76 seconds

Lisa Tashiro, Kaiser — Won the OIA girls individual crown in a time of 19 minutes, 32.31 seconds

FOOTBALL
Soli Afalava, Kahuku — Made seven tackles and a sack in a win over Farrington

Rudy Agoot, Kapaa — Passed for 117 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 106 yards with another score in a win over Kauai

Kamakalea Akiona, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had a sack and a fumble recovery in a win over Honokaa

Manaia Atuaia, Kahuku — Made eight tackles and a sack in a win over Farrington

Sione Atuekaho, Hilo — Threw four touchdown passes and ran in another score in a win over Keaau

Kaeo Batacan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Honokaa

Austyne Carvalho-Toloai, Kapaa — Made six tackles, intercepted a pass and returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown in a win over Kauai

Tyler Ching, Kalani — Rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Nanakuli

Pono Davis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had two sacks in a win over Honokaa

Shain Davis, Kapaa — Rushed for 136 yards with a touchdown and caught six passes for 102 yards in a win over Kauaia

Bubba Ellis-Noa, Konawaena — Rushed for two touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass and scored on a 67-yard interception return in a win over Hawaii Prep

Ofa Fahiua, Hilo — Returned two fumbles for touchdowns in a win over Keaau

Makoa Filikitonga-Lukea, Lahainaluna — Threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another in a win over Maui

Louie Garcia, Kealakehe — Caught a touchdown pass and rushed for another in a win over Waiakea

Joshua Hiwatashi, Kamehameha-Maui — Caught nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a win over Baldwin

Terell Johnson, Campbell — Rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Mililani

Kale Kanehailua, Nanakuli — Passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kalani

Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Passed for 185 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Honokaa

Keoni Keanini, Kamehameha-Maui — Caught seven passes for 124 yards in a win over Baldwin

Algene Kelekolio, Konawaena — Rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown in a win over Hawaii Prep

Donavan Kelley, Hilo — Scored on a 62-yard punt return in a win over Keaau

Kapiina King, Damien — Caught eight passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Iolani

Drew Kobayashi, Saint Louis — Caught seven passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Punahou

Storm Lotomau, Iolani — Rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown in a win over Damien

Keenan Luis, Baldwin — Rushed for 208 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in a loss to Kamehameha-Maui

Wyatt Maa, Iolani — Recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in a win over Damien

Keoni-Kordell Makekau, Iolani — Kicked field goals of 26 and 30 yards in a win over Damien

Vavae Malepeai, Mililani — Rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Campbell

McKenzie Milton, Mililani — Completed 22 of 29 pass attempts for 263 yards with four touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards and another score in a win over Campbell

Andrew Morgan, Radford — Passed for three touchdowns in a loss to Pearl City

Kanawai Noa, Punahou — Caught 13 passes for 194 yards and the go-ahead 52-yard touchdown in a win over Saint Louis

Zachery Romero, Kamehameha-Maui — Kicked the game-winning 28-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock against Baldwin

Kekoa Sasaoka, Farrington — Made field goals of 27 and 20 yards in a loss to Kahuku

Tyson Tafai, Campbell — Made a game-high seven tackles in a loss to Mililani

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score in a loss to Punahou

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in a win over Saint Louis

Kalakaua Timoteo, Mililani — Caught seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Campbell

Ephraim Tuliloa, Punahou — Passed for 349 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Punahou

Dustin Waiau, Kealakehe — Scored on a 41-yard interception return in a win over Waiakea

Kaimi Wilson, Kealakehe — Threw two touchdown passes and ran in another score in a win over Waiakea

Tuli Wily-Matagi, Kahuku — Passed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Farrington

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Jayleen Abregana, Kapolei — Had 12 kills and nine digs in a three-set sweep of Mililani and 16 kills in a five-set loss to Moanalua

Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha — Had 13 kills in a five-set win over Punahou

Kaiulani Ahuna, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 14 kills in a three-set win over Kealakehe and 11 kills in a three-set win over Waiakea

Shekinah Clarke, Kapolei — Had 14 kills in a five-set loss to Moanalua

Alison Fuata, Waiakea — Had 13 kills in a three-set loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Lia Gaogao, Moanalua — Recorded 15 kills in a three-set sweep of Nanakuli and 16 kills in a five-set win over Kapolei

McKenna Granato, Punahou — Put down a team-high 18 kills in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Kayla Kahauolopua, Waiakea — Had 15 kills in a three-set win over Hilo

Keola Katayama, Hilo — Had 10 kills in a three-set loss to Waiakea

Jojo Kruize, Moanalua — Put down 15 kills in a three-set sweep of Nanakuli and 20 kills in a five-set win over Kapolei

RaeLynn Leong, Kailua — Had 18 kills in a four-set loss to Kalaheo

Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo — Had 10 kills in a four-set win over Kailua

Chanelle Molina, Konawaena — Put down 14 kills in a three-set win over Hawaii Prep

Monica Muskat, Honokaa — Had 13 kills in a four-set win over Pahoa

Maraea O'Connor, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 12 kills in a three-set win over Waiakea

Erleen Oguma, Pahoa — Had 15 kills in a four-set loss to Honokaa

Kiana Peroff, Punahou — Had 12 kills in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Amber Tai, Kailua — Had 12 kills in a four-set loss to Kalaheo