Baldwin sophomore quarterback Chayce Akaka and Kahuku junior outside hitter Cheyenne Teo came through with clutch individual performances to lead their respective teams to key wins last weekend. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Chayce Akaka, Baldwin football
Chayce Akaka is proof that age is just a number.

The sophomore has been a pivotal part of Baldwin's turnaround from an 0-2 start to the year — in which it was outscored 116 to 7 — to its current 6-3 record and four-game winning streak.

More impressive perhaps, is that Akaka has done it before even hitting his 15th birthday.

"It's a process, obviously," Bears' first-year coach Pohai Lee said of Akaka. "We work toward his natural ability and so we try to keep everything in a base situation for him. Hopefully in the next two years we can give him more to do. The upside with him is unlimited for him being only fourteen and with two more years to go, so we're hoping for big things."

Akaka took another step toward fulfilling his potential Saturday night when he accounted for 325 yards of total offense and four touchdowns to lead Baldwin to a 35-21 win over rival Maui in a key Maui Interscholastic League game at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

According to statistics provided by The Maui News, the 6-foot, 170-pound Akaka completed 16 of his 21 pass attempts for 220 yards and rushed for another 105 yards on 11 carries. He threw touchdown passes of 28, 11 and 31 yards and also scored on a 66-yard run.

"I think to date this was probably his best all-around game," Lee said. "I think through previous games we had he's seeing things a little better and I think the game is slowing down for him with the experience that he's had."

Akaka's completion percentage of 76.2 was his best in any game this season, much to the liking of Lee. He also did not throw an interception.

"We've stressed that we would rather have a higher completion percentage than a ton of yards and that we want to be low on the turnover ratio," Lee said. "He's bought into that philosophy. We stressed that we want to be consistent on the short-to-intermediate range. Young kids want to go deep all the time, (but) he's recognizing that not every play can be a big play."

Lee said he was caught off-guard by Akaka's long TD run Saturday, which came on a designed run.

"It was a quarterback draw," Lee explained. "He broke one against (Kamehameha-Maui) for about 45 yards, but after this one I mentioned to him that I didn't realize he was that fast. He just kind of smiled and laughed, but he has that ability to extend plays with his feet. He can make people miss in the open field and once he turns it on he's fun to watch."

Lee himself has an extensive background a an impressive lineage. He is the son of former Montana-Western football coach Tommy Lee, and the nephew of Saint Louis coaches Cal Lee and Ron Lee. He was a receiver on the 1983 Prep Bowl-winning Saint Louis team and spent several years as coach of the intermediate team at his alma mater.

Akaka, Lee said, reminds him two former Crusader quarterbacks that he coached.

"When I was at Saint Louis I worked with the younger ones like Jason Gesser and Timmy Chang when they were there," Lee said. "Ability-wise, I think he's just about as comparable as those guys. He's got good arm strength and he's getting there, throwing-wise. Running-wise, he might be a little better than both of them."

After their prep days, Gesser and Chang went on to star collegiately at Washington State and Hawaii, respectively.

"I'm really looking forward to the next two years and the potential he can live up to, hopefully," Lee said.

Akaka has benefitted from the play of his offensive line, as well as a slew of talent at the skill positions, which includes receivers Laakea Kahoohanohano-Davis, Kaelon Wainui, Kelii Kaiama, his older brother Taje Akaka as well as running back Kamaki Gouveia.

"The offensive line should be credited for the work that they do and being ready and prepared; they've been a big key for us as to why our offense has been doing well," Lee said. "We believe we have multiple weapons on offense that forces defenses to defend everybody and not just one guy. I'm sure you could highlight Laa or Taje — it's a spread offense and Chayce goes through a progression. It's basically going to the open guy and if he's not open then he looks to the next person in the progression. He's recognized that really well through experience."

Baldwin avenged a 3-0 loss to Maui in the MIL's first round and Saturday it overcame trailing at three different points in the game.

"It was a lot closer than the final score indicated," Lee said. "Maui is a tough team and it came down for us to preparation and having the kids believe and being confident in themselves and their hard work. It was the first real game where we had something at stake and we had to win and the good thing I saw was that the lead changed three times and the kids continued to fight and battle."

With the victory the Bears claimed the second-round league crown to force a winner-take-all playoff for the MIL Division I title and the lone state-tournament berth on Oct. 31.

Female Athlete of the Week: Cheyenne Teo, Kahuku girls volleyball
Back in the early 2000's, Mounia Nihipali was a star outside hitter for the Kamehameha girls volleyball team. Nihipali, now Mounia Tachibana, was a three-time All-State selection by The Honolulu Advertiser and grew up on Oahu's north shore, near Kahuku High School, where she is in her first season as coach of the Lady Red Raiders.

It was there that she had her first memories of Cheyenne Teo, a standout junior outside hitter for Kahuku this year.  

"My family and her family kind of grew up together; I think our parents are classmates," Tachibana said of Teo, along with her older sister Laken, a senior setter on the team. "I saw those two little girls growing up and I never thought that I would be here coaching them."

Cheyenne Teo has been a key contributor for the Red Raiders all season and was Thursday was no exception. The 5-foot-10 Teo put down a match-high 15 kills to go with six digs and two blocks in a five-set win over Kapolei in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I tournament quarterfinal match at Mililani.

"She did really good; she was one of our go-to-girls especially when we were under pressure," Tachibana said. "She's one of our most reliable players and she works really hard."

Teo's play has been steady all year, Tachibana said. She has helped Kahuku to an 11-1 record on the season and a second-place finish in the 12-team Eastern Division of the OIA.

"She's been very, very consistent," Tachibana said. "She makes some mistakes here and there, but I think overall her mental game has picked up a lot. She has a desire to go to college with volleyball and I think that's her overall goal. I like the fact that she stays focused, she doesn't let anything around her get to her."

Tachibana reiterated Teo's ability to focus despite whatever — or whoever — may pose as possible distractions.

"Before games even start we have the girls walking around or going to the training room and the football players are there," Tachibana said. "I watch my players and, of course, they're girls and sometimes they get all girly, but I see Cheyenne and she's focused, not tickled me pink by the football players. She's always focused. I like her mental game."

Teo, along with fellow junior outside hitter Carey Williams, have proved to be a formidable duo for opposing teams to contend with.

"A lot of teams have their weak rotations and then their strong rotations, but I think with having both my outside hitters very strong, very dynamic and very smart, it makes it easier for our team as an all-around type of team and having strong rotations, not just here and there, but a full rotation, especially them them two," Tachibana said. "If we need (Teo) for blocking on the left side then I can make that switch, too. It's really good to have both of them, especially when they're both on at the same time. It makes things so much easier."

Tachibana was promoted after one season as the junior varsity coach last year, but never had the opportunity to coach Teo until this season.

"I caught some of the girls' varsity games last year and I can say that she really developed as a player just in that one year," Tachibana said. "I think it's just starting more with her confidence level. She's matured a lot and along with that comes her skills. She's a lot smarter with her hits, she can see the blocks more."

Teo, who is a member of the Imi Ike volleyball club, is also a tough defender at the net.

"We try to put her on the right side to try and block the other team's go-to hitter, which is the left side, but I can actually put her anywhere and she can get the job done," Tachibana said. "I try to keep her in all rotations so that we can have a back-row hitter, too."

Kahuku split the first four sets against Kapolei Thursday before going to a deciding fifth set, where Teo came up huge.

"She played a big role in the whole game, but in the fifth set I left her in to play all around and she did really, really good," Tachibana said. "It just made her more effectively, because it helps staying in the game and not getting taken out and getting cold."

Teo put away her final kill on match point, giving the Red Raiders a 15-12 win in game five, and helping them avenge a loss to the Hurricanes in last year's league tournament.

"The funny thing is when we stepped into the gym on Thursday and the girls told me that they lost to Kapolei in the (quarterfinals) in the same gym last year and I thought ‘oh no,' " Tachibana said. "I knew it would be a mental game for them because of that fact. I thought that's what they were struggling with; they were pretty much fighting with themselves the whole match, but I'm just glad we did all the little things and they overcame it as a team and individuals. I think it made them mentally stronger for the next match. It was a good game for them just for them to get over it."

With the win, Kahuku locked up a spot in the state tournament for the 15th consecutive year — not that Tachibana's players are celebrating that fact just yet.

"I don't think they realized that they are in states already," Tachibana said. "I think their main focus is just to get past all these teams to get the OIA title first and then the next goal is states."

Teo and the Red Raiders return to the court Tuesday night when they face off against West top-seed Mililani in a semifinal match at McKinley's Student Council Gymnasium.

BOWLING
Kristin Frost, Pearl City — Rolled a six-game total of 1,045 pins to win the OIA girls individual championship and helped the Chargers win the team title

Kristopher Yadao, Pearl City — Rolled a six-game total of 1,209 to win the OIA boys individual championship and helped the Chargers win the team title

FOOTBALL
Kesi Ah-Hoy, Kahuku — Rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries in a win over Kapolei

Ronnie Akau, Kaimuki — Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a win over Nanakuli

Kaeo Batacan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in a win over Hawaii Prep

Harmon Brown, Kahuku — Rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a win over Kapolei

Kelsan Cacoulidis, Konawaena — Made a team-high eight tackles in a win over Honokaa

Kamakana Ching, Konawaena — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Honokaa

Justine Dancel, Maui — Caught four passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Baldwin

Donovan Defang, Lahainaluna — Rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a win over King Kekaulike

Markus Degrate, Kealakehe — Threw two touchdown passes in a win over Keaau

Akoni Demello, Kealakehe — Caught a touchdown pass and ran in another score in a win over Keaau

DallasJ Duarte, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Threw for 193 yards with three touchdowns on 11-of-19 passing and ran in another score in a win over Hawaii Prep

Austin Ewing, Konawaena — Threw for 272 yards and five touchdowns on 11-of-19 passing in a win over Honokaa

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Campbell

Marcus Faufata-Pedrina, Damien — Rushed for 105 yards and a touchdowns on 22 carries in a win over Pac-Five

Ace Faumui, Radford — Rushed for 132 yards and two touchdown on 17 carries in a win over Waialua

Dillon Gabriel, Mililani — Threw for 139 yards with two touchdowns on 12-of-22 passing and ran in another score in a win over Moanalua

James Gentile, Kaimuki — Scored on a 18-yard interception return in a win over Nanakuli

Kamaki Gouveia, Baldwin — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Maui

Tainano Gualua, Farrington — Had two sacks in a win over Campbell

Conor Hannum, Iolani — Caught nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kamehameha

Melvin Hoomanawanui, Iolani — Made a game-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble in a loss to Kamehameha

Chyson Hoopai, Nanakuli — Had a sack and recovered a fumble in a loss to Kaimuki

Noah Hoopii, Kauai — Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a win over Waimea

Kekaula Kaniho, Kahuku — Had four tackles and intercepted two passes, including one that he returned 72 yards for a touchdown, in a win over Kapolei

Kepono Kawaakoa, Damien — Rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a win over Pac-Five

Alema Kapoi, Kamehameha — Had three tackles, including two sacks, in a win over Iolani

Kalei Kealoha-Machado, Kailua — Made a game-high 12 tackles in a loss to Waianae

Nicholas Kennedy, Iolani — Caught 14 passes for 159 yards with a touchdown in a loss to Kamehameha

Drew Kobayashi, Saint Louis — Caught three passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in a win over Punahou

Lancen Kuni, Waialua — Had two interceptions in a loss to Radford

Riggs Kurashige, Kealakehe — Rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a win over Keaau

Seyddrick Lakalaka, Punahou — Made a game-high eight tackles in a loss to Saint Louis

Saitaua Lefau, Saint Louis — Rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in a win over Punahou

Makoa Magnani, Iolani — Had two tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble in a loss to Kamehameha

Toto Mailo, Waianae — Scored on a 28-yard interception return in a win over Kailua

Jahssaiah Maiva, Kaimuki — Intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in a win over Nanakuli

Keoni-Kordell Makekau, Iolani — Caught 11 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown in a loss to Kamehameha

Vavae Malepeai, Mililani — Rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries in a win over Moanalua

Bayley Manliguis, Kamehameha — Caught six passes for 131 yards with two touchdowns and scored on an 87-yard kickoff return in a win over Hawaii Prep

Billy Masima, Kaimuki — Rushed for 168 yards on 20 carries in a win over Nanakuli

Christian Mejia, Kailua — Had seven tackles, including four for losses, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and had a sack in a loss to Waianae

Tai-John Mizutani, Iolani — Threw for 485 yards and three touchdowns on 40-of-57 passing in a loss to Kamehameha

Keanu Momoa, Nanakuli — Caught six passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Nanakuli

Chyson Morgan, Nanakuli — Scored on a 44-yard punt return in a loss to Kaimuki

Jaycob Nakaahiki-Young, Kauai — Rushed for 193 yards on 24 carries in a win over Waimea

Andrew Neves, Kaimuki — Scored on an 83-yard kickoff return for the game-winning score against Nanakuli

Daniel Nguyen, Kaimuki — Intercepted a pass and recovered a pair of fumbles in a win over Nanakuli

Kumoku Noa, Kamehameha — Caught nine passes for 126 yards with two touchdowns and had three kickoff returns for 127 yards in a win over Iolani

Kore Ohimukini, Hilo — Scored on an 87-yard kickoff return in a win over Waiakea

Kodi Ongory-Mathias, Radford — Rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in a win over Waialua

Kaimana Padello, Mililani — Had a sack and forced a fumble in a win over Moanalua

Anthony Palleschi, Hawaii Prep — Scored on a 57-yard interception return in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Ranson Pasion, Waimea — Made a team-high eight tackles in a loss to Kauai

Jorell Pontes-Borje, Waianae — Rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kailua

William Prescott, Farrington — Intercepted two passes, including one that he returned 72 yards for a touchdown, in a win over Campbell

Elias Pritchard, Mililani — Had a sack and recovered a fumble in a win over Moanalua

Bulla Rapacon, Kauai — Had five tackles, including two sacks, a forced a safety in a win over Waimea

Jaymin Sarono, Kapolei — Caught nine passes for 129 yards in a loss to Kahuku

Foi Sila, Farrington — Had two sacks in a win over Campbell

Jalen Saole, Saint Louis — Made three tackles and intercepted two passes in a win over Punahou

Fatu Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha — Caught five passes for 110 yards with a touchdown and rushed for another score in a win over Iolani

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Threw for 315 yards with two touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing and ran in another score in a win over Punahou

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in a loss to Saint Louis

Blaysen Terukina, Kamehameha — Had a team-high seven tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in a win over Iolani

Kalakaua Timoteo, Mililani — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Moanalua

Kaale Tiogangco, Hilo — Threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-25 passing in a win over Waiakea

Kalehaila Tolentino-Perry — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Waiakea

Javen Towne, Waianae — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Kailua

Torin Tuppein, Konawaena — Had seven tackles, including a sack, in a win over Honokaa

Soane Vaohea, Maui — Rushed 19 times for 106 yards with a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass in a loss to Maui

Justice White, Damien — Rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in a win over Pac-Five

Brett Yap, Kamehameha — Threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-32 passing in a win over Iolani

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Jayleen Abregana, Kapolei — Had nine kills, 10 digs, five aces and an assist in a win over Kaiser

Kylee Aiwohi, Kalani — Had 26 assists and three digs in a win over Campbell

Trinity Atuatasi, Aiea — Had 17 digs in a loss to Moanalua

Jazlyn Bulatao, Kalani — Had 13 kills and five digs in a win over Campbell

Hope Carter, Mililani — Had 18 digs, four kills, four aces and a block in a win over Kalani

Chantelle Fiso-Naki, Kaiser — Had 12 kills, 11 digs and a block in a loss to Kapolei

Abrianna Green, Leilehua — Had 15 digs and one kill in a loss to Kalaheo

Tianna Hanohano, Leilehua — Had 12 digs and three kills in a loss to Kalaheo

Jojo Kruize, Moanalua — Had 17 kills, four digs and three aces in a win over Aiea

Kiara Lee-Gabriel, Kalani — Had 18 digs in a win over Campbell

Heaven Leigh Maiava, Campbell — Had 12 digs in a loss to Kalani

Elisha Levasa, Leilehua — Had 14 kills, 11 digs, two blocks and two aces in a loss to Kalaheo

Riley Lynch, Kalaheo — Had 11 kills, three digs, two blocks and an ace in a win over Leilehua

Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo — Had 12 kills, six digs and two aces in a win over Waianae and had 15 digs and six kills in a win over Leilehua

Lindsey Ng, Moanalua — Had 19 digs and an ace in a win over Aiea

Anna Ogilvie, Iolani — Had 19 digs, 23 assists and four aces in a win over Maryknoll

Rika Okino, Kalani — Had 11 kills, 15 digs, five aces and an assist in a win over Campbell

Michelyn Pililaau, Kapolei — Had 10 kills, one dig and a block in a win over Kaiser and had 15 kills, three blocks and a dig in a loss to Kahuku

Malia Transfiguracion, Kapolei — Had 12 digs and two aces in a win over Kaiser

Kolisha Tufele, Campbell — Had 14 digs, one kill and an ace in a loss to Kalani

Siani Yamaguchi, Kalaheo — Had 16 kills, nine digs and two blocks in a win over Leilehua