Top Performers
Monarchs' Bayudan, Na Alii's Patolo lead top performers


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Male Athlete of the Week: Hayden Bayudan, Damien basketball
Hayden Bayudan's freshman season was one to remember, to be sure, but his sophomore campaign appears just as promising.

After helping the Damien boys basketball team capture their first state championship in Division II last year, the 5-foot-10, 150-pound point guard will be among those expected to lead the way as the Monarchs navigate the transition to a D1 team in the rigorous Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

While the ILH portion of Damien's schedule won't begin until next week — when it visits No. 5 Mid-Pacific on Jan. 3 — last week's Iolani Classic provided a glimpse at some top-tier competition.

Following an opening-round loss to Jefferson (Portland, Oregon) in Wednesday's opening round of the prestigious 16-team tournament, the Monarchs reeled off three straight victories in as many days to claim the consolation championship. Bayudan averaged 12.7 points for the week and was one of two players from Damien — along with junior forward Tino Atonio — who were selected to the all-tournament team.

Bayudan scored seven points in the Jefferson loss — his first game back from an injury that forced him to miss the four games prior — before posting 13 points in a 62-39 win over Mililani Thursday. He followed that up by leading the Monarchs in scoring in each of their next two games: a 63-40 win over then-seventh-ranked Mid-Pacific Friday (18 points) and a 48-46 win over Tsinghua (China) Saturday (17 points).

"Just seeing him gradually knock the rust off and be a complete player was good to see," Damien coach Alvin Stephenson said.

Some of Bayudan's best work last week, however, wasn't reflected in the scorebook or final statistics.

"His leadership on the offensive side, pulling the ball out, setting the offense back up, controlling the offense and the pace of the game, I think that was key for us," Stephenson said. "His first game back against Jefferson he did an amazing job. I think he got a little fatigued because he hasn't been playing, but he just got better with every game. That's something he's been working hard for and it's paying off, he's seeing the results of it, but he spends hours in the gym with his dad working on his craft and just trying to become the most complete player he can be."

Bayudan's dad, Bryant, is the coach of the Monarchs' intermediate team. Stephenson said that it's not hard to see that Hayden is the son of a coach, based on his work ethic.

"Any sprint we have, he's usually in the front; He gives maximum effort every single day and he likes to lead by example, but one of the things that we talked about coming into the season was him being more of a leader as the point guard," Stephenson said. "I believe the point guard has to be that vocal leader because you're the one with the ball and controlling everything. He's a quiet guy, but I told him I need him leading with his mouth and he did that last week and I'm looking for him to do more of it."

As a freshman starter last year, Bayudan averaged 12.4 points per game and shot 84.7 percent from the free-throw line en route to All-ILH D2 second team honors.

Damien went 28-2 overall last year, which culminated with a 73-50 win over Farrington in the D2 state final. Bayudan was selected to the all-tournament team.

"He learned a lot from last year and he's still learning. He wanted to be more of a complete point guard and be able to dissect a defense when plays are called, know when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive and the level of playing in the Iolani Classic helped him a lot because he sees that he's just as good," said Stephenson, who noted that Bayudan was more of a combo-guard last season.

"We wanted him to stay as aggressive as possible, (but) now as a point guard, he's gotta be able to run the show and pick and choose, but he's getting the position really well and I think he's coming into it. I believe we still haven't seen the best of him," Stephenson added.

Stephenson, who was tabbed All-Hawaii D2 Coach of the Year last year, believes the sky is the limit with Bayudan and his wide-ranging skill set.

"I always make a reference to (Boston Celtics guard) Kemba Walker because he's lightning fast; my nickname for him is ‘Flash.' He's very quiet, but we're trying to challenge him to get him out of that shell because on any given night he can explode for 30 (points), but it's trying to get 20 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, eight steals — that's the type of player he can be on a nightly basis — so he's a very good all-around player and that's something I've never really had out of the point guard position," Stephenson said.

Another player that Stephenson compared Bayudan to is Long Island Lutheran (New York) guard Andre Curbelo, who was named most outstanding player of the Iolani Classic last week.

"I think (Bayudan) can be like him and I think (Curbelo) is a good measuring stick for him," Stephenson said. "I think just his overall maturity on the court and him understanding the situation more is a big thing for him. He may have a few holes in his game that he's still learning — which is expected with him being so young — but by midseason he'll have it all."

Damien benefitted from the return of several players, Bayudan included, for the Iolani Classic.

"It was great for us because we finally had our whole team together, so it was a good thing to see what we're capable of versus being short-handed, but injuries are a part of the game and it's a next-man-up mentality, but we're happy to have everybody healthy and ready to compete once the (regular) season starts in two weeks. We've still got some kinks to work out, but the boys will be ready and the ILH this year will be very exciting because anybody can be beat on any night," Stephenson said.

While the team returns two other starters from last year's state-championship team — bigs Bryce Forbes and reigning All-Hawaii D2 Player of the Year Jake Holtz — Bayudan will be "a major factor in our success moving forward," Stephenson said.

"As far as I can recall I don't think any ILH team went from D2 to D1 and won both, so that's the challenge we're facing with tough competition. We know we've got a target on us — everybody wants to beat us — and it's something that we've never been used to: being the hunted because we were always the hunter, but now we're the prey," he added. "I think the boys know it's different now; it's not going to be like last year. We won't surprise anybody and teams will be coming after us, but we're embracing the challenge."

Damien moved up a spot to No. 2 in this week's ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings.

Bayudan and the Monarchs (8-3) left on a Tuesday night red-eye flight to southern California, where they will take part in The Classic at Damien. They will open against the tournament host of the same name (although their nickname is Spartans) in the premier Platinum Division, which includes one of the nation's top teams in Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California), whose roster includes highly-touted guards Bronny James and Zaire Wade, the sons of NBA superstars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, respectively.


Female Athlete of the Week: Sheyliene Patolo, Aiea soccer
When opposing teams take to the pitch against the Aiea girls soccer team this season, it would be in their best interests to keep track of where no. 11 is.

That would be Sheyliene Patolo, a junior forward and leading goal scorer for Na Alii. Patolo, who stands 5 feet, 2 inches — "maybe," according to her coach, Benji Villaflor — has proven to be quite proficient at putting the ball in the back of the net, as evidenced by her seven goals on the year.

Patolo has scored at least one goal in each of Aiea's last four games and ranks fourth amongst Oahu Interscholastic Association leaders. In the rigorous Western Division, she trails only Pearl City's Caylie Uyema, who leads the state with 11 goals on the year.

"Yup, she's going to be one of the main players for us," Villaflor said.

It's a role that Villaflor is comfortable putting Patolo in, largely because of her work ethic, but also because of her ability.

"She's one of the hardest working players on the field. She always gives her 100 percent and she's probably one of the most skilled," said Villaflor, who recalled a time last season when Patolo juggled a ball for an entire practice.

"It went on for a couple hours. The whole practice she didn't drop the ball once, so she's very skilled," he noted.

Patolo joined the varsity team as a freshman two seasons ago, but was not among the starting 11 right away.

"But she worked her way into the starting lineup," Villaflor said. "Then, sophomore year she was a starter and now she's going to be our go-to girl offensively."

As a sophomore in 2018-19, Patolo scored a team-high 11 goals and earned All-OIA West second team honors, while the team captured its first league championship since 2005.

However, she had the benefit of playing alongside seniors Nicole Olanda, a first-team all-star, and honorable mention pick Sydney Boyd. With both Olanda and Boyd having moved on after graduating last spring, the onus now falls onto Patolo's shoulders.

"She's going to be the ‘Olanda' for us," Villaflor said.

To be sure, Patolo will need the assistance of her teammates from goalkeeper Shayla Sugai — a returning All-OIA West first teamer — to the back line, as well as the midfield.

Villaflor pointed to fullbacks Amanda Ono and Phoenix Dawn Miranda — another first-team all-star — and midfielders Brynn Shimabukuro, Jamali-Jean Faitau-Pagaduan as key factors in the equation.

"With a solid foundation, (Patolo) can do a lot, but that will depend on if Amanda and Phoenix can get it together in the back and find Brynn and Jamali in the middle and then they can get the ball to Shey," Villaflor said.

One player Na Alii will have to do without in the midfielder this season is second-team all-star Savannah Breeze Miranda, who is out for the season due to a knee injury.

"She would have been another key player this year, so Brynn is going to have to take over that role," Villaflor noted.

It's clear, however, that the objective is clear.

"We definitely want to get the ball in her hands," Villaflor said of Patolo. "She's probably the Kobe (Bryant) of our team. Phoenix holds down the back — nobody gets by her — but once it gets up top, we want to get the ball to Shey."

When Na Alii have done so this season, it has worked out rather well. Patolo netted a hat trick in an 11-0 win at Nanakuli on Dec. 10. Three days later — in a 2-1 win over Pearl City — she assisted on the Faitau-Pagaduan's equalizing goal before scoring the game-winner later in the second half.

Patolo scored two mores times in a 3-0 win over Kapolei last Tuesday to help Aiea notch its third straight victory.

"That was definitely a big confidence-booster for our girls, especially after we got beat by Mililani," Villaflor said of a season-opening 6-0 loss at the hands of the Trojans back on Dec. 6.

While Na Alii were far from full strength against Mililani, the lopsided loss has proven to be beneficial in hindsight.

"Mililani was the first game we had all our girls back — preseason we were in two tournaments, but we always had minor injuries and then some girls were out on travel — so by the time we got together against Mililani, that was the lineup we thought would be best, but it was the first time they actually played together in a game, so it's definitely helped us get out the kinks," Villaflor said. "To come back after that and beat Pearl City and Kapolei was big."

Na Alii most recently came away with a 1-1 tie Monday night against undefeated Campbell, which reached the Division I state championship match last February. Patolo accounted for the only Aiea goal when she drew a foul in the box in the final 10 minutes and converted the ensuing penalty kick to even the score.

"Alysa Slater crossed it and it was kind of a lofty cross and it bounced high and Shey was right there to finish it, (but) the defender shoved her out of the way, so Shey was there, but she finished the PK," Villaflor said. "To finish the PK is definitely clutch. A lot of people think that PKs are easy, but it's tough. There's a lot of pressure and you even see pros miss them, so it's a lot harder than people think."

It was the seventh goal of the season for Patolo, who Villaflor calls a "silent killer.

"She's not vocal at all, she very quiet, says very few words, but she's pretty dynamic and explosive. She rarely talks at all, but she's always pushing at every practice, she doesn't ever complain, doesn't even show disgust at all with her facial expressions — she's just super coachable — so when you have that kind of positive attitude you can always get better and she's one of those girls that is always working on her craft," Villaflor said.

Patolo and Na Alii (3-1-1), who slot in at sixth in this week's ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings, will continue OIA West play on Jan. 3, when they host Radford.


BOYS BASKETBALL

Sage Akina-Garrigus, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 20 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Assets

Kaukahi Alameda, Hilo — Scored 21 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over St. Joseph

Tino Atonio, Damien — Scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Mililani

Maka Brede, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Christian Academy

Bailey Bumanglag, Iolani — Scored 17 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Mililani

Kainoa Gibson, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani

Barreon Holland, Pahoa — Scored 10 points with 10 rebounds and one assist in a loss to Konawaena

Kainoa Jones, Konawaena — Scored 17 points with six rebounds and two steals in a win over Pahoa

Landyn Jumawan, Leilehua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Saint Louis

Kamana Lapina, Mid-Pacific — Scored 25 points, including three 3-pointers and 10-of-12 free-throw shooting, in a double-overtime win over Kaiser

Kala Nakaya, Mid-Pacific — Scored 16 points in a win over Iolani

Kordel Ng, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points with four rebounds, one assist and a steal in a loss to Kaiser and scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, with three steals, two rebounds and two assists in a win over Moanalua

Sky Okamura, Christian Academy — Scored 20 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Rayson Padilla, Hilo — Scored 25 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Konawaena

Geremy Robinson, Moanalua — Scored 19 points in a loss to Tsinghua, scored 20 points with three rebounds, three steals and two assists in a loss to Kamehameha and scored 21 points in a win over Mililani

Cyrus Singelman, Kaiser — Scored 22 points in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Christmas Togiai, Kamehameha — Scored 27 points, including three 3-pointers, with seven rebounds and a steal in a loss to Long Island Luthernan

Kenji Toyama, Kaiser — Scored 17 points with two steals in a win over Kamehameha

Deltha Viena, Pearl City — Scored 19 points in a loss to Roosevelt

Dylan Yadao, Waialua — Scored 19 points in a win over Anuenue

Wesley Yamada, Iolani — Scored 17 points with five rebounds, three assists and one steal in a loss to Kamehameha


GIRLS BASKETBALL
Aloha Akaka, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points with five steals, four rebounds, four assists and one block in a win over Kamehameha

Mahalo Akaka, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points with 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Kamehameha

Sienna Alo, Kapolei — Scored 15 points in a loss to Waipahu

Theresa Anakalea, Damien — Scored 18 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist and scored 17 points in a win over Iolani II

Tiare Arquero, Damien — Scored 20 points in a win over Iolani II

Angel Asaah, Radford — Scored 16 points in a win over Waipahu

Kylie Bagay, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Pearl City

Nina Batacan, La Pietra — Scored 25 points in a win over Island Pacific

Tanya Blakeney, Kaiser — Scored 15 points in a win over Farrington and scored 15 points in a win over Kailua

Alexis Dang, Hawaii Baptist, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 15 points in a win over Damien

Amaya Dumlao, Waipahu — Scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Radford

Camille Feary, Kamehaemha — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Punahou

Breanne Fujimoto, Aiea — Scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Waianae

Jaydan Fullum, Island Pacific — Scored 19 points in a loss to La Pietra and scored 15 points in a loss to Christian Academy

Fua Fonoti, Waianae — Scored 28 points in a win over Aiea

Taylor Hange, Punahou — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kamehameha

Mahina Kaleiheana-Erickson, Sacred Hearts — Scored 16 points with seven steals, four rebounds and one assist in a win over Kamehameha II

Kylie La Pountan, Waipahu — Scored 18 points in a win over Kapolei

Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, Iolani — Scored 22 points in a win over Punahou

Malie Marfil, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou

Te'Hiwa Medeiros, Sacred Hearts — Scored 17 points with nine rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Kamehameha II

Serenity Moananu, Maryknoll — Scored 22 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Iolani

Jacie Nava, Hanalani — Scored 17 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Leiah Naeata, Kahuku — Scored 15 points with five rebounds, five assists and four steals in a win over Farrington

Trinity Ozoa, Waialua — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Waianae

Dominique Pacheco, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points in a win over Christian Liberty

Kyra Pagud, Christian Academy — Scored 26 points in a win over Island Pacific

Kianna Ponce, Mililani — Scored 18 points in a win over Campbell

Paige Relph, Waianae — Scored 22 points in a win over Waialua

Madi Sagawa, Mid-Pacific — Scored 23 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Hanalani

Kayla Santos, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 18 points in a win over Christian Academy and scored 23 points in a win over Maaqtusiis

Sierra Scanlan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 15 points in a win over Christian Liberty

Sarah Schubert, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 16 points in a win over Christian Liberty

Jovi Wahinekapu Lefotu, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over Maryknoll and scored 16 points in a win over Punahou

Harlee Wong, Kapolei — Scored 19 points in a loss to Waipahu


BOYS SOCCER
Kyler Halvorsen, Kaiser — Scored five goals in a win over Kaimuki

Carlos Lang, Island School — Scored two goals in a win over Kauai

Jack Lemonds, Kalaheo — Scored three goals in a win over Roosevelt

Kaisei Mochizuki, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Kohala

Ian Ngonethong, Kaiser — Scored four goals in a win over Kaimuki

Aiden Richardson, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Kohala

Christopher TenBroeke, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Radford

Ryan Van Epps, Leilehua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waialua


GIRLS SOCCER
Tysja Kaanana, Baldwin — Scored four goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Leila Kahoano, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Iolani

Ryan Kaneko, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington

Faith Lee, PAC-5 — Scored the lone goal in a win over Punahou II

Isabella Police, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa

Summerly Smith, Roosevelt — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Caylie Uyema, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Waialua



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].