Top Performers
Nanakuli's Haina-Horswill, Roosevelt's Jones lead top performers


Nanakuli junior running back Makaila Haina-Horswill and Roosevelt senior outside hitter Ashelyn Lorraine Jones led their respectively teams to big wins last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

Male Athlete of the Week: Makaila Haina-Horswill, Nanakuli football
When Keala Watson talks about Makaila Haina-Horswill, his pride in the Nanakuli running back is evident.

Haina-Horswill, a senior on the undefeated Golden Hawks football team, rushed for 130 yards and three-second half touchdowns to lead his team past Pearl City, 21-14, Friday night. But, it's not his on-the-field accomplishments that Watson is most proud of.

"His freshman year everybody could tell that he was an athlete, but he was struggling with things at home, struggling with his grades and he hard time even being eligible to play in any games," said Watson, who coached Haina-Horswill for two years on the junior varsity level before taking over for Skippy Lopes prior to the 2013 season.

"These last two years it's really gotten through to him that he needs to keep focused on everything — not just being the running back, but being a good student, being a good son at home, taking care of everything in life — and it's coming together for him," Watson said of Haina-Horswill. "He's gone through a lot of personal battles and he's had to have a lot of help with all of it, but now that he's having to juggle all of these things at one time, he's better in the classroom, better on the field and people are starting to take notice."

Against the Chargers last weekend, Haina-Horswill had a first half to forget. He didn't get a carry until the second quarter and had just four rushes for 33 yards by halftime. He also lost a fumble, which Pearl City turned into seven points two plays later on 40-yard touchdown pass.

"We have a no set-back policy on our team, meaning we shouldn't be hurting ourselves by losing the ball and drawing penalties," Watson said. "When he coughed that one up, he understood that he cost his team points and momentum and that he would have to eventually earn that one back."

Haina-Horswill made up for it in the second half, when he carried 11 times for 95 yards and capped three Nanakuli possessions with touchdown runs. He scored on runs of 5, 20 and 34 yards. His last came on his final carry of the game and broke a 21-all tie with two minutes and 40 seconds remaining.

Watson called a timeout prior to the play — which was a fourth down-and-1 — and put all his faith in the offensive line and Haina-Horswill, who turned the left edge and went untouched en route to the end zone.

"With the amount of work that I've seen him in put in the offseason and this season, it'd be hard to imagine anybody else working as hard as he does," Watson said of Haina Horswill. "It's about pure hard work and he gets the message; he's one of the leaders on the team and he's done a good job getting everyone to understand that that's how we get things done."

The win capped a successful homecoming for the Golden Hawks, who have a loyal — and growing — fan base.

"Very rarely do we get a chance to celebrate anything," said Watson, a Nanakuli graduate who played defensive tackle at the University of Hawaii. "There's so much adversity and so much to down yourself on that any chance that we get to celebrate something positive, something good in our community, people jump at the opportunity."

Nanakuli made a run to the Division II state semifinals in 2012, but missed the league playoffs altogether last season, which Watson said has served as motivation for his players this year. With a 6-0 start to 2014, Watson's team sits atop the standings of the nine-team Oahu Interscholastic Association D2 and has become an inspiration to the community.

"I think people are still waiting for some kind of saving grace to bring our community and our families out of the slump that we're in and we recognize that we're kind of doing that for them," Watson said. "We're not just playing to beat other teams and win games, we're playing to represent our families and when we do good, they do good. Our kids understand that it's a lot more than football games we're winning."

The fourth-ranked Golden Hawks return to the gridiron Friday night when they take on Radford at 7:30 p.m. at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.

Female Athlete of the Week: Ashelyn Lorraine Jones, Roosevelt volleyball
As expected from any third-year starter, Ashleyn Lorraine Jones has been a focal point of her team's success this year, but the Roosevelt senior has done it in ways immeasurable by any statistics.

"The biggest area of improvement from her surprisingly enough has been her leadership," Rough Riders' coach Puna Velasco said. "She's normally a very rah-rah, cheery type of person, but lately she's let her actions talk for her and she's been able to lead her team better than with words."

On the court Jones has been getting it done as well. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter had a match-high 15 kills in a three-set win at Castle Wednesday.

"Her overall play has been really great lately. She's been able to help us win a lot of close games," Velasco said of Jones. "Against Castle she played unbelievable in that game. She's been really steady offensively, she can play multiple positions and she's basically our main weapon."

Velasco said Jones' athleticism and experience allows him to use her in many ways.

"She's been playing middle in club, but we have her at outside hitter, so we know that we can use her at middle, I use her to block on the right side depending on how the opponent's left side hitter is doing, so she's pretty versatile."

After winning its first two matches of the season, Roosevelt faced the tough task of traveling to Moanalua and Kahuku in back-to-back games. Velasco's squad was swept by both teams — who have identical 8-0 records heading into their showdown in Kahuku — but it proved to be a blessing in disguise.

"I think without those lessons the team wouldn't have learned how to come together and they wouldn't have learned to fight through adversity," Velasco said. "The girls have been responding what happened early in the season and Ashelyn has been a big part of it, but her teammates also have responded well and I'm pretty proud of them. I wish wish we could execute better so it won't always be so close."

The Rough Riders have won four consecutive matches since, including three that went a full three sets against Kailua, Castle and most recently, Kaiser, Monday night.

"We were down 21-24 in game one and we came back and won 26-24, then we started off well in set two then lost momentum and we were down 11 or 12 to 14 in set three and the girls fought back and won, 18-16," Velasco said. "Some of it is luck, but I'm really glad to see the girls hung in there, didn't panic, didn't shy away from anything. I've been really impressed with them lately."

Velasco is hoping the early-season road bump will pay dividends come playoff time.

"It was a brutal two games in a row, but I'm kind of glad we played them in the beginning of the season because it's really allowed us to learn a lot of things about our team," Velasco said. "Our biggest thing was learning to fight, but they've responded well and hopefully we can finish third in the East."

A three-seed would ensure the Rough Riders a home game in the first-round of the 12-team Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Tournament. The conclude the regular season with matches against Anuenue Wednesday, and McKinley and Farrington next week.

Two days after the regular-season finale, the team will take some time to give back off the court before the playoffs begin.

"We started a community service effort with our players as a way to give back and the players could make it as hard or as easy as they wanted to and we thought that Ashleyn would make it easy, but she decided to help the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg traditional housing in Waimanalo," Velasco said. "Originally we thought that we would collect donations to help families there, but she decided to take it one step further, so next week we're having a day of fun for the kids there with a slip-N-slide and water balloons. She's been spearheading this with my life. I think the girls are looking forward to spending a few hours with the kids."

AIR RIFLERY
Matthew Pak, Moanalua — Shot a high score of 524 in a win over Kailua in an OIA boys' match Wednesday

Danielle Tanabe, Pearl City — Shot a high score of 532.18 in a win over Kapolei in an OIA girls' match Wednesday

BOWLING
Kristopher Yadao, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 279 and a three-game series of 741 in an OIA West boys' match Thursday

CROSS COUNTRY
Amanda Beaman, Iolani — Won the 3-mile girls' race in a time of 20 minutes, 1.82 seconds at the Honolulu Marathon/Kaiser Invitational Saturday

Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha — Won the 3-mile boys' race in a time of 16 minutes, 42.77 seconds at the Honolulu Marathon/Kaiser Invitational Saturday

FOOTBALL
Soli Afalava, Kahuku — Had four tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble in a win over Leilehua Friday

Taje Akaka-Foster, Baldwin — Threw two touchdown passes in a win over King Kekaulike Friday

Kawena Alo-Kaonohi, Baldwin — Rushed for a two touchdowns in a win over King Kekaulike Friday

Kobe Antolin, Kealakehe — Rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Waiakea Friday

Manaia Atuaia, Kahuku — Had four tackles and three sacks in a win over Leilehua Friday

Sione Atuekaho, Hilo — Threw three touchdown passes in a win over Keaau Saturday

Noah Auld, Kailua — Threw for 186 yards and a two touchdowns in a loss to Moanalua Saturday

Jordan Bayudan, Kamehameha — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Alex Brost, Hawaii Prep — Caught a touchdown pass, made four field goals and three extra points attempts in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii Saturday

Corry Brown, King Kekaulike — Caught three touchdown passes in a loss to Baldwin Friday

Awa Byers, Kailua — Scored on a 92-yard interception return in a loss to Moanalua Saturday

Kea Cambra, Campbell — Scored on a 24-yard interception return and a 22-yard interception return in a win over Aiea Saturday

Zeno Choi, Kaiser — Had a pair of sacks in a win over Castle Friday

Karson Cruz, Moanalua — Caught two touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score with 28 seconds left in a win over Kailua Saturday

Koa Ellis, Hawaii Prep — Threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii Saturday

Cohlby Espaniola, Hilo — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Keaau Saturday

Willie Ewaliko, Castle — Threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-37 passing in a loss to Kaiser Friday

Jarrett Felix, Waialua — Scored on a 22-yard interception return in a win over Kaimuki Friday

Chad Figueroa, Castle — Caught nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kaiser Friday

Alohi Gilman, Kahuku — Scored on a 34-yard interception return in a win over Leilehua Friday

Kawika Homalon, King Kekaulike — Threw three touchdown passes in a loss to Baldwin Friday

Grey Ihu, Pac-Five — Caught four passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Kamehameha Saturday

Kalawaia Judd, Kaiser — Threw for 128 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-19 passing and rushed for 66 yards in a win over Castle Friday

Ioane Kaluhiokalani Jr., Waianae — Threw two touchdown passes and ran in another in a win over Waipahu Friday

Kawika Keama-Jacobe, Moanalua — Threw for 310 yards with four touchdowns and rushed for 96 yards and another score in a win over Kailua Saturday

Tyler Kerr, Waiakea — Made the game-winning 26-yard field goal with eight seconds left and was 3 for 3 on extra point attempts in a win over Kealakehe Friday

Melvin Kikau, Hilo — Scored on a 57-yard interception return in a win over Keaau Saturday

Drew Kobayashi, Saint Louis — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Colin Kubota, Kailua — Kicked field goals of 36 and 37 yards and made three PATs in a loss to Moanalua Saturday

Keenan Luis, Baldwin — Rushed for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in a win over King Kekaulike Friday

Vavae Malepeai, Mililani — Rushed for 202 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries in a win over Farrington Saturday

Ranan Mamiya, Farrington — Rushed for 98 yards and caught a touchdown pass in a loss to Mililani Saturday

Dominic Maneafaiga, Pearl City — Caught two touchdown passes and rushed for 94 yards in a loss to Nanakuli Friday

Randy Manewa, Nanakuli — Had a pair of sacks and recovered a fumble in a win over Pearl City Friday

Billy Masima, Kaimuki — Scored on a 42-yard fumble return in a loss to Waialua Friday

Jensen McDaniel, Kaiser — Rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in a win over Castle Friday

McKenzie Milton, Mililani — Threw for 278 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-26 passing and rushed 10 times for 100 yards with another score in a win over Farrington Saturday

Saitui Moeai, Punahou — Scored on a 38-yard interception return in a win over Iolani Friday

Andrew Morgan, Radford — Threw three touchdown passes and ran in two other scores in a win over Kalaheo Friday

Destin Moss, Kaiser — Caught 10 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in a win over Castle Friday

Kayson Nakatsu, Kamehameha — Rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Kanawai Noa, Punahou — Caught six passes for 169 yards and a touchdown in a win over Iolani Friday

KJ Pascua, Iolani — Rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Punahou Friday

Kalanimoku Pauole, Leilehua — Passed for 208 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kahuku Friday

Keola Pedrina, Kamehameha — Rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Chase Peneku, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Hawaii Prep Saturday

Keala Santiago, Kahuku — Scored on an 82-yard kickoff return and a 67-yard punt return and had four tackles and a sack in a win over Leilehua Friday

Jason Sharsh, Moanalua — Caught eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kailua Saturday

Paepaeiva Silifaiva-Kaeha, Kailua — Rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries in a loss to Moanalua Saturday

Jahred Silofau, Saint Louis — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Stanton Spencer, Waianae — Caught two touchdown passes, made a 37-yard field goal and made four PATs in a win over Waipahu Friday

Fatu Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha — Threw for 152 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for 68 yards in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Jordan Taamu, Pearl City — Threw for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Nanakuli Friday

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Threw for 177 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for another score in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Noah Taiese, Aiea — Had three interceptions in a loss to Campbell Saturday

Bryson Tatupu-Leopoldo, Farrington — Had a game-high 11 tackles in a loss to Mililani Saturday

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Rushed for four touchdowns in a win over Iolani Friday

Kaale Tiaganco, Hilo — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Keaau Saturday

Ronson Timbreza, Saint Louis — Intercepted two passes in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

John Toner, Punahou — Kicked a 27-yard field goal and was 8 for 8 on extra point attempts in a win over Iolani Friday

Ephraim Tuliloa, Punahou — Completed 14 of 15 pass attempts for 294 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Iolani Friday

Bryson Ventura, Mililani — Caught seven passes for 120 yards in a win over Farrington Saturday

Kaulana Werner, Kamehameha — Caught four passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Salanoa-Alo Wily, Kahuku — Had four tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery in a win over Leilehua Friday

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
McKenna Granato, Punahou — Had 14 kills, two blocks and three aces in a loss to Kamehameha Thursday

Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha — Had a match-high 16 kills and an ace in a win over Punahou Thursday

Natalia Kaopua, Nanakuli — Had nine kills, four blocks and an ace in a win over Waialua Tuesday



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].