Kahuku's Keala Santiago and Hawaii Baptist's Keri Lum each led their respective teams to championship victories last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Keala Santiago, Kahuku football
Even before Vavae Tata officially started as head football coach at Kahuku, he knew that Keala Santiago was someone he had to rely on.

Santiago, a 6-foot, 185-pound safety, was a First Team All-Hawaii selection as a junior last year.

"I saw some tape on him from the year before and I knew coming in that he was special," Tata said. "I knew he was dynamic and that we had to take advantage of his abilities. I knew from the get-go that number three (Santiago) is going to be a guy that we win with. He's made it clear how important he is to us with his play on offense, on defense and on special teams. We've got to get him the ball because he's such a playmaker."

In the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I championship game Friday night, Santiago made a number of plays to lead Kahuku to its league-leading 24th title with a 20-7 win over Mililani. He intercepted three passes and made three tackles to lead a defensive unit which did not allow a score by the Trojans.

Santiago was in his own end zone when he had his first pick, which brought an end to a nine-play, 96-yard Mililani drive. Late in the third quarter, he recovered quickly from a mistake on special teams. Santiago muffed a punt return — which the Trojans recovered at the Red Raiders' 37-yard line — but made up for it one play later when he intercepted Mililani quarterback Kaysen Higa for a second time.

"I told him, ‘One snap and clear. It's on to the next play; let's hone in on playing defense,' which he did," Tata said. "That's what differentiates him from a lot of players. That's the ability of Keala of having the whereabouts to move on from an error and just focusing on the next play because we can't get that last play back, so we've just got to focus on the next play and execute and we were fortunate to get the ball back."

The interception eventually led to a 42-yard field goal by Kekoa Sasaoka that broke a 7-all tie.

Santiago's impact wasn't limited to defense. He also caught two passes for 34 yards and recorded one rush for 21 yards. His first reception was in the third quarter and came on a rare first-down pass by Kahuku. It went for a gain of eight yards. He also caught a pass in the fourth quarter the moved the chains after a 26-yard pick up.

"He's an X-factor. We can use him on offense, defense and special teams," Tata said. "He's the total package and that's the beauty of us being so blessed to have him on our team. He's the quintessential student-athlete; he's a student of the game and he's always eager to learn and get better and better each week."

The Red Raiders have played lights out defensively, holding opponents to under 130 yards per game. They have five shutouts on the year and have allowed a total of just 39 points in 11 games played.

"Keala is definitely the vocal leader of the defense," Tata said. "I made the call and our two safeties are the ones to make the adjustments. They drive the bus and we execute up front. Keala is basically the driver back there. He's very important."

With just under five minutes remaining in the game, Santiago kickstarted a Kahuku drive with a 21-yard run on a reverse.

"We always had it in our back pocket," Tata said. "If we had Keala lined up a little tighter to the core he would have taken it to the house, but we'll work from that and make corrections. Maybe we'll use it next week. Maybe we'll use it the following week."

Santiago and the Red Raiders are the top seed in the six-team First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships and drew a first-round bye. They will play the winner of Friday's Baldwin-Waianae game in next weekend's semifinal round at Aloha Stadium.

-Kalani Takase

Female Athlete of the Week: Keri "Nanea" Lum, Hawaii Baptist volleyball
When her team needed a point, Keri "Nanea" Lum was there to answer the call.

The junior outside hitter spearheaded Hawaii Baptist's offense and averaged a double-double in its run through the New City Nissan/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Girls Volleyball Championships.

Lum, who is 5-foot-7, racked up 77 kills and 36 digs through the three-day period to help the Eagles capture their fourth state crown and first since 2009.

"It's good to have somebody I know that can put the ball away when we need it most," setter and the tournament's most outstanding player Ally Wada said on Lum.

Lum's highest scoring performance in the tourney was in the quarterfinals against Damien when she pounded 37 kills on 83 swings in a 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, 26-24 win.

A day later she had 22 kills and 10 digs against Seabury Hall in a 27-29, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19, 16-14 victory. It was the first sets that the Spartans dropped all year.

In the title game against Le Jardin, Lum knocked in 18 kills to lead the Eagles to a straight set win, 25-17, 25-23, 25-16.

"I thought our team did great," she said after the championship match. "We had good camaraderie and good chemistry going on that allowed us to get as many points as we could."

Lum displayed deadly accuracy in the win, targeting the back corners on the Bulldogs' side of the court

"I saw that certain spots were open so I tried to hit to those areas," she said.

She also praised the defensive play of defensive specialist Naiya Fujikawa and libero Kailey Young. 

"The passing comes before the hitting," said Lum. "I thought Naiya and Kailey did really good in trying to keep things in system so that the setter can get it to the hitters." 

Hawaii Baptist coach Myles Shoji praised Lum's leadership skills and speaking abilities after the match.

"Nanea has done a great job of leading the team," he said. "She's really honest when you ask her a question. She doesn't give you a plain response, she gives you an in-depth answer. That's rare for a kid nowadays to do."

-Michael Lasquero

AIR RIFLERY
Michelle Chan, Hawaii Baptist — Shot a total score of 552 to win the individual girls state championship

Guy Yokoe, Waiakea — Shot a total score of 537 to win the individual boys state championship

BOWLING
Gwen Maeha, Leilehua — Rolled a nine-game score total of 1,672 pins to win the individual girls state championship

Kristopher Yadao, Pearl City — Rolled a nine-game total of 2,001 pins to win the individual boys state championship and helped the Chargers win the team title

CROSS COUNTRY
Amanda Beaman, Iolani — Won the individual girls state championship in a time of 18 minutes, 26.74 seconds

Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha — Won the individual boys state championship in a state-meet record time of 15 minutes, 22.23 seconds

FOOTBALL
Chayce Akaka, Baldwin — Threw a touchdown pass and rushed for two other scores in a win over Maui

Taje Akaka, Baldwin — Caught a touchdown pass and also scored on a 58-yard interception return in a win over Maui

Andrew Aneki, Farrington — Made a team-high seven tackles, including two sacks, in a loss to Waianae

Harmon Brown, Kahuku — Rushed for a game-high 113 yards with two touchdowns on a season-high 29 carries in a win over Mililani

Jaylen Gonzales, Waianae — Made four tackles, including a sack, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in a win over Farrington

Brandon Hattori, Waianae — Made a team-high seven tackles, including two sacks, in a win over Farrington

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Rushed for 190 yards with a touchdown on 27 carries and caught a touchdown pass in a loss to Waianae

Ace Faumui, Radford — Rushed for 89 yards with a touchdown on 12 carries, made five tackles and scored on a 45-yard interception return in a win over Kaimuki

Isaiah Freeney, Waianae — Caught three passes for 143 yards with a touchdown in a win over Farrington

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

Laakea Kahoohanohano-Davis, Baldwin — Scored on a 99-yard fumble return in a win over Maui

Kamuela Kaniaupio, Kamehameha-Maui — Recovered two fumbles in a loss to Lahainaluna

Pesa Lefau, Kahuku — Had six tackles, two for losses, including a sack, and recovered a fumble in a win over Mililani

Blaise Manabe, Radford — Rushed for 63 yards with a touchdown on six carries and threw a touchdown pass in a win over Kaimuki

Kingston Moses-Sanchez, Farrington — Caught six passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Waianae

Daniel Nguyen, Kaimuki — Made three tackles, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in a loss to Radford

Kaimana Padello, Mililani — Made a game-high seven tackles, three for losses, including a sack, in a loss to Kahuku

Bishop Rapoza, Farrington — Threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-17 passing in a loss to Waianae

Radon Sinenci, Lahainaluna — Scored on a 22-yard interception return in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Deyshon Slade, Radford — Made a game-high eight tackles, five for losses, including a sack, in a win over Kaimuki

Hyle Viela, Kaimuki — Made a team-high seven tackles in a loss to Radford

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha — Had 18 kills, eight digs, three blocks, one ace and an assist in a win over Moanalua and had 24 digs, 11 kills, two blocks, one ace and an assist in a win over Iolani

Kahea Aea, Mililani — Had 10 kills, 11 digs and an ace in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Lexis Akeo, Kamehameha — Had 31 assists, nine digs, two aces, one kill and a block in a win over King Kekaulike, had 33 assists, 12 digs, three blocks and two kills in a win over Moanalua and had 42 assists, 22 digs, two kills and a block in a win over Iolani

Sierra Buscher, Iolani — Had 10 kills, 12 digs, two aces and an assist in a win over Kalaheo, had 15 kills, 15 digs, four assists, one block and an ace in a win over Kahuku and had 15 kills, nine digs, two blocks and an ace in a loss to Kamehameha

Shelby Capilonch, Damien — Had 26 kills, five digs, two blocks and an ace in a win over Hawaii Prep, had 19 kills, 10 digs and two aces in a loss to Hawaii Baptist and had 16 kills, four digs, two blocks, one ace and an assist in a win over Kailua

Bailey Choy, Iolani — Had 40 assists, five aces, four digs and two kills in a win over Kalaheo, had 53 assists, 17 digs, eight kills and an ace in a win over Kahuku and had 44 assists, 26 digs, two blocks, one ace and a kill in a loss to Kamehameha

Lauren Condon, Kamehameha — Had 18 digs and nine kills in a win over Iolani

Marissa Daligcon, Damien — Had 14 digs, two aces and an assist in a win over Hawaii Prep and had 24 digs, two assists, one kill and an ace in a loss to University High

Naya Dong, Iolani — Had 20 digs and an ace in a loss to Kamehameha

Phoebe Fickbohm, Seabury Hall — Had 44 assists, 12 digs, two aces, one kill and a block in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Naiya Fujikawa, Hawaii Baptist — Had 14 digs and an ace in a win over Seabury Hall and had 17 digs and an ace in a win over Le Jardin

Kyra Hanawahine, Kamehameha — Had 12 digs, five aces and two assists in a win over Mililani, had 14 digs, two assists and an ace in a win over Moanalua and had 25 digs, six assists and an ace in a win over Iolani

Ash-Lynn Herring, Damien — Had 38 assists, eight digs, two blocks, one kill and an ace in a win over Hawaii Prep and had 41 assists, 12 digs, two kills and two blocks in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Shayla Hoeft, Seabury Hall — Had 15 kills, 12 digs, one block and an assist in a win over Kailua, had 25 kills, 20 digs, two blocks, one assist and an ace in a loss to Hawaii Baptist and had 16 kills, 12 digs, five aces and a block in a loss to Farrington

Sage Kaahaina-Torres, Iolani — Had 16 kills, five digs and an assist in a loss to Kamehameha

Taira Kaawaloa, University High — Had 13 kills, eight digs, one ace, one block and an assist in a win over Pahoa and had 15 kills and 11 digs in a loss to Farrington

Saryiah Kahakai, Farrington — Had 14 kills, 12 digs and two aces in a win over University High

Dayna Kahanu, Farrington — Had 13 kills, 11 digs, one ace and an assist in a win over University High and had 14 kills, 10 digs and an ace in a loss to Le Jardin

Moea Kekauoha, Iolani — Had 17 kills, six digs, one block and an assist in a win over Kalaheo, had 20 kills, 15 digs, two blocks and an assist in a win over Kahuku and had 23 digs, 13 kills, one block and an assist in a loss to Kamehameha

Jasmyn Keohohina-Malina, Kailua — Had 16 digs, five kills, three aces and an assist in a win over Pahoa

Jojo Kruize, Moanalua — Had 21 kills, 14 digs and an ace in a win over Kapolei and had 13 kills, 10 digs, two blocks and two assists in a win over Kahuku

Nina Krupa, Le Jardin — Had 38 assists, 12 digs, three kills, three blocks and two aces in a win over Konawaena and had 37 assists, eight digs, four kills, two aces and a block in a win over Farrington

Kallie Langford, Hawaii Baptist — Had 15 kills and a block in a win over Damien and had 15 kills and four digs in a win over Le Jardin

Gabrielle Lau, University High — Had 15 digs, six kills and an assist in a loss to Farrington

Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo — Had 16 kills and six digs in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Celena Molina, Konawaena — Had 37 assists, nine digs, five kills and three blocks in a loss to Le Jardin

Chanelle Molina, Konawaena — Had 25 kills, 25 digs, two assists and an ace in a loss to Le Jardin, had 12 kills, 10 digs and an assist in a win over University High and had 11 kills, 13 digs, one ace and an assist in a win over Damien

Kassidy Naone, Le Jardin — Had 26 kills, 14 digs, one block and an ace in a win over Konawaena and had 19 kills, 10 digs, one block, one ace and an assist in a win over Farrington

Ana Ogilvie, Iolani — Had 19 digs, five assists and one ace in a win over Kahuku and had 30 digs and three assists in a loss to Kamehameha

Amy Ozee, Seabury Hall — Had 15 kills, four digs and one block in a win over Kailua and had 19 kills, 12 digs, two blocks and an assist in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Natalie Piper, Le Jardin — Had 23 digs and 11 kills in a win over Konawaena and had 11 kills, 12 digs, two blocks and two assists in a win over Farrington

Taylor Souza, Le Jardin — Had 15 digs and four assists in a win over Konawaena and had 26 digs, one ace and an assist in a win over Farrington

Amber Tai, Kailua — Had 15 kills, 10 digs, three aces and three assists in a win over Pahoa

Brandy Tauaefa, Farrington — Had 14 digs, two assists and an ace in a win over University High, had 21 digs and two kills in a loss to Le Jardin and had 15 digs, two assists and an ace in a win over Seabury Hall

Nina Torio, Mililani — Had 15 digs and five assists in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Kunani Tuttle, Kapaa — Had 30 assists, three digs and a block in a win over Hawaii Prep

Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Had 65 assists, nine digs, three blocks and two kills in a win over Damien, had 42 assists, 12 digs, three kills, three blocks and an ace in a win over Seabury Hall and had 37 assists, 14 digs, four aces and a block in a win over Le Jardin

Carey Williams, Kahuku — Had 18 kills, five digs and an assist in a win over Leilehua and had 10 kills, 12 digs, two blocks and two assists in a loss to Iolani

Chasity Wong, Farrington — Had 33 assists, three digs, two aces and a kill in a win over University High

Kailey Young, Hawaii Baptist — Had 23 digs and two assists in a win over Damien, had 20 digs, six assists and three aces in a win over Seabury Hall and had 29 digs, three assists and two aces in a win over Le Jardin

Tiare Young, Kailua — Had 40 assists, six digs, three aces and a kill in a win over Pahoa