Punahou senior outside hitter McKenna Granato, Kahuku senior running back Salanoa-Alo Wily and Konawaena sophomore setter Celena Molina were instrumental in state-tournament wins for their respective teams last weekend. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Salanoa-Alo Wily, Kahuku football
It was flashback Friday for the Kahuku football team in the first round of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Division I Football State Championships.

In the fourth quarter of the Red Raiders' 20-10 win over Hilo, the offense lined up in the I-formation, ran the ball with effectiveness between the tackles and shouldering most of the load was a player with the last name, Wily.

Salanoa-Alo Wily, the younger brother of former Kahuku standout running back Aofaga Wily, took over the role of feature back for Big Red and rumbled for a 136 yards and two second-half touchdowns on 18 carries.

"It felt good. It felt like we were playing Kahuku football," said Wily, a 6-foot-1, 270-pound senior.  

One play after teammate Alohi Gilman intercepted a Hilo pass with under eight minutes to play in the game, Wily bounced off several tackles before outracing the defense to the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown run.

"It's unbelievable how fast he really is," Kahuku coach Lee Leslie said. "Even at 270 (pounds), he runs a 4.6 and in game time he might be even faster than that. The thing that amazes me is I tell him to run like a fullback, but every once in a while he will show me a Kesi (Ah Hoy)-like run and instead of a 4-yard gain, he'll try and turn it into a 47-yard run. He's got good vision."

That score, and the ensuing PAT by Gabriel Pinheiro-Alves, tied it at 10.

On the Red Raiders' next drive, Wily carried on five of six plays from scrimmage for 49 yards, including the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown. Most of the time Wily followed the lead blocking of fullback Reupena Fitisemanu.

"I think both Salanoa and Pena were amazing," Leslie said. "They were kind of a 1-2 punch and they complemented each other very well."

Wily and Fitisemanu are several two-way players for Kahuku, but with Ah Hoy, fullback Pua Falemalu and quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi all out with injuries Friday, Wily picked up the slack.

"It's really hard in those kinds of games to make guys go both ways and it's something that I've tried not to do all year, but when it comes down to crunch time, you've got to do what you've got to do," Leslie said. "I think if I had run him all year, he might be a 1,000-yard rusher, but we needed him to play on the D line."

After going into the locker room trailing 10-0, Wily said halftime provided a much-needed attitude adjustment.

"Our mindsets (changed)," said Wily, who is committed to the University of Hawaii. "We came out more energetic than we did in the first half. the fast half we came out kind of slow and then in the second half the score started to hit us and we started to fix some things and correct some of our mistakes."

Leslie agreed, but added that Wily led the way in the comeback.

"Salanoa has the heart of a lion and will step up when needed and give you everything he's got, but then he'll be humble about it after," Leslie said. "He's just an amazing kid."

Wily and the Red Raiders return to the turf at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium Saturday when they take on top-seeded and top-ranked Punahou in a 7 p.m. semifinal game.

-Kalani Takase

Co-Female Athletes of the Week: McKenna Granato, Punahou volleyball & Celena Molina, Konawaena volleyball

McKenna Granato

The championship game was tight from start to finish and when the Buffanblu needed a kill, McKenna was there to deliver. She had a game-high 23 kills, 15 digs, three blocks and an ace as Punahou knocked off Kamehameha-Kapalama for their ninth overall state championship. 

"All my success comes from them and it's really good that we can connect together. We talked about trusting each other and those last couple points, we realized we had to push through and we did it," said Granato, on the team victory.

"McKenna has been steady and she has improved drastically from last year to this year. She kept her emotions under control and she's a completely different player and one mis-hit or getting blocked doesn't let it get to her and she bounces back and is ready for the next ball," said Punahou coach Tanya Fuamatu-Anderson.

McKenna was named to the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I All-Tournament Team and she was also selected as a first team, All-American in the 2014-2015 Under Armour Girls High School All-America Program next month. She will play for the University of Hawaii next year.

"I'm really nervous and really excited to play with these high level girls and these girls have been on junior national teams and have travelled worldwide. It's so cool to play with them and learn from them," said Granato, who will be playing for the University of Hawaii next year.

In the semifinals, she had 15 kills, 10 digs, five blocks, two aces and an assist in a four-set win over Moanalua. Despite her accomplishments on the court, Granato puts the team first and it's never all about her.

"She's very humble. She keeps it light and everyone looks at her as an All-American, she's like the best player in the state, but she made herself approachable to everybody. She makes everyone feel like her equal, so the respect level has gone through the ceiling for these young kids," said Fuamatu-Anderson.

"It's having fun with them," said Granato, bonding with her teammates. "We get along well off the court and we hang out with each other at school."

Celena Molina

Even though she is only a sophomore, Celena Molina leads her team in many ways as Konawaena beat Seabury Hall in five sets to clinch their second straight Division 2 state championship. Molina had a solid, overall performance and finished the title game with 17 kills, 31 assists and 24 digs. In other state tournament games she had 35 assists, 20 digs, 12 kills, three blocks and an ace in a four-set win over La Pietra, had 20 assists, 16 digs, 11 kills, four blocks and two aces in a three-set win over Kalaheo.

"It doesn't matter how young she is, she's a big leader on our team. She works hard practice and doesn't like to have a slack practice and her work ethic is unbelievable. She knows how to pick up everyone else as well, I trust her in every way possible," said Konawaena coach Ainsley Keawekane, on Celena's leadership and what she brings to the team.

"I motivated my team whenever we were down and I communicated with them so no balls hit the ground. We executed our passes well and if we didn't pass well, we picked them up and tried to motivate them," said Celena Molina.

Konawaena had seven kills in the fifth set, and Celena's 17th kill ended the set and the match.

"We knew she was going to take a bunch of swings. She's a fantastic hitter, great awareness, great arm speed and is an awesome athlete. We were keying in on her, she's going to get hers," said Seabury coach Scottie Zucco, on Celena.

The passing was instrumental to the Wildcats' success as they finished the title game with 53 assists. Chanelle Molina (20 kills) and McKenna Ventura (11 kills) were beneficiaries of Celena's assists. She was selected to the Division II All-Tournament team as a setter.

"She sets up the ball well and her sets are precise and she knows where she is going to set it in those kinds of situations. She's a really smart setter," said Chanelle, on her younger sister.

-Brandon Ching

FOOTBALL
Rudy Agoot, Kapaa — Threw a touchdown pass and ran in another score in a win over Pearl City

Caleb Baptiste, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in a win over Nanakuli

Kaeo Batacan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Nanakuli

Shain Davis, Kapaa — Rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Pearl City

Ansen Faamasino, Farrington — Had four tackles and two sacks in a win over Maui

Ofa Fahiua, Hilo — Had seven tackles and a sack in a loss to Kahuku

Breiden Fehoko, Farrington — Had seven tackles and two sacks in a win over Maui

Michael Fomai, Nanakuli — Registered a game-high nine tackles with one sack and a fumble recovery in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Alohi Gilman, Kahuku — Intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in a win over Hilo

Makaila Haina-Horswill, Nanakuli — Rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Nanakuli

Rylen Kaniaupio, Hilo — Had six tackles and forced a fumble in a loss to Kahuku

Donavan Kelley, Hilo — Intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in a loss to Kahuku

Jonathan Lolohea, Maui — Had seven tackles in a loss to Farrington

Malcolm Macatiag, Kahuku — Had eight tackles in a win over Hilo

Ranan Mamiya, Farrington — Had 159 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown in a win over Maui

Dominic Maneafaiga, Pearl City — Caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kapaa

Bayley Manliguis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Nanakuli

Sean Miday, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Recovered a pair of fumbles in a win over Nanakuli

Siaosi Pakileata, Farrington — Had four tackles and two interceptions in a win over Maui

Gabriel Pinheiro-Alves, Kahuku — Made field goals of 26 and 31 yards and converted both of his extra points attempts in a win over Hilo

Jordan Taamu, Pearl City — Passed for 256 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards in a loss to Kapaa

Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo, Farrington — Had 11 tackles in a win and ran in a two-point conversion over Maui

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Jessica Akiona, La Pietra — Had 20 kills, 10 digs and three blocks in a four-set loss to Konawaena

Reyn Akiu, Kamehameha — Had 10 digs and two kills in a four-set loss to Punahou

Savana Greene, La Pietra — Had 13 kills, 11 digs, 2 blocks and an ace in a three-set win over Hana and had 15 kills, 25 digs and four blocks in a four-set loss to Konawaena

Ula Brostek, Hawaii Prep — Had 13 digs, seven kills, five aces and a block in a five-set win over Radford

Shekinah Clarke, Kapolei — Had 10 kills and five digs in a three-set loss to Kamehameha

Jayla Decambra, Kalaheo — Had 19 digs, one ace and an assist in a three-set loss to Konawaena

Gabbie Ewing, Hawaii Prep — Had 26 kills, 26 digs, one block, one ace and an assist in a five-set win over Radford and had 10 kills and nine digs in a two-set loss to Kailua

Phoebe Fickbohm, Seabury Hall — Had 18 digs and two assists in a three-set win over Hawaii Baptist and 31 digs, two assists and an ace in a five-set loss to Konawaena

Lia Gaogao, Moanalua — Had 12 kills, eight digs, two blocks, one ace and an assist in a four-set loss to Punahou

Marie Garcia, Kailua — Had 21 assists, three digs and a kill in a three-set win over Saint Francis

Milan Gonzalez, La Pietra — Had 16 digs and one assist in a two-set loss to Saint Francis

Peri Green, La Pietra — Had 11 kills, four digs, three assists, one block and an ace in a three-set win over Hana, had 16 kills, 25 digs, four assists and two aces in a four-set loss to Konawaena and had 14 kills, 15 digs, two aces and an assist in a two-set loss to Saint Francis

Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha — Had 14 kills, 23 digs and an ace in a four-set loss to Punahou

Mia Heirakuji, Kamehameha — Had 25 digs in a four-set loss to Punahou

Kaylen Higa, Punahou — Had 11 digs in a four-set win over Kamehameha

Shayla Hoeft, Seabury Hall — Had 13 kills, six digs and two blocks in a three-set win over Kailua, had 14 kills, four digs and a block in a three-set loss to Hawaii Baptist and had 22 kills, eight digs and three blocks in a five-set loss to Konawaena

Sophie Janssen, Seabury Hall — Had 10 digs, seven kills, one block, one ace and an assist in a three-set win over Hawaii Baptist and had 17 digs, four kills, three assists, two blocks and two aces in a five-set loss to Konawaena

Jasmyn Keohohina-Malina, Kailua — Had 11 kills in a three-set win over Honokaa

Lillie Klemmer, Punahou — Had 10 kills, two blocks and a dig in a four-set win over Moanalua

Joy Kurosawa, Moanalua — Had 11 digs, one ace and an assist in a four-set loss to Punahou

Sarah Lau, Kamehameha — Had 31 assists, four kills, four digs, three blocks  two aces and a block in a four-set loss to Punahou

RayLynn Leong, Kailua — Had 13 kills, 10 digs, two aces and two assists in a three-set win over Honokaa

Kiki Leuteneker, Seabury Hall — Had 14 kils and four blocks in a five-set loss to Konawaena

Hana Lishman, Punahou — Had 14 digs, seven kills, one ace and an assist in a four-set win over Moanalua and had 11 kills, seven digs, three blocks and an ace in a four-set win over Kamehameha

Malia Luis-Mateo, Saint Francis — Had 13 kills, eight digs, two assists, one block and an ace in a three-set win over Kauai, had 21 kills, 14 digs, four aces, two assists and a block in a four-set loss to Kalaheo and had 10 kills, seven digs, one block, one ace and an assist in a three-set loss to Kailua

Keri Lum, Hawaii Baptist — Had 13 kills, six digs and a block in a three-set win over Hawaii Prep and had 10 kills with three digs in a two-set win over Kalaheo

Riley Lynch, Kalaheo — Had 12 kills, 10 digs, three aces, two blocks and two assists in a four-set win over Saint Francis

Vae Malufau, Punahou — Had 11 kills, three blocks, one dig and an assist in a four-set win over Moanalua

Brandee Markwith, Punahou — Had 18 digs, four assists and two aces in a four-set win over Moanalua and 29 digs and an ace in a four-set win over Kamehameha

Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo — Had 14 kills, 15 digs, 14 assists, five blocks and three aces in a four-set win over Saint Francis and had 16 kills, 15 digs, four assists, one block and an assist in a three-set loss to Konawaena

Chanelle Molina, Konawaena — Had 24 kills, 23 digs, two aces and an assist in a four-set win over La Pietra, had 18 kills, 17 digs and two assists in a three-set win over Kalaheo and had 20 kills, 18 digs, one block, one ace and an assist in a five-set win over Seabury Hall

Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena — Had 15 digs and two assists in a five-set win over Seabury Hall

Alyssa Panis, Saint Francis — Had 18 kills, 18 digs, three blocks, one ace and an assist in a four-set loss to Kalaheo, had 11 kills, seven digs, two assists and one block in a two-set win over La Pietra and had 10 digs, eight kills, one block and an ace in a three-set loss to Kailua

Kiana Peroff, Punahou — Had 17 kills, three digs and two blocks in a four-set win over Moanalua

Gabby Ratte, Seabury Hall — Had 26 assists, 10 digs and an ace in a five-set loss to Konawaena

Jonde Rivera, Kauai — Had 10 kills and 19 digs in a two-set win over Hana and seven kills with 10 digs in a two-set win over Radford

Lacey Satele, Saint Francis — Had 47 assists, 12 digs and one kill in a four-set loss to Kalaheo and had 23 assists, five digs, two kills and an ace in a three-set loss to Kailua

Taylor Takeda, Kamehameha — Had 11 digs in a four-set loss to Punahou

Katarina Tenorio, Radford — Had 12 digs and an ace in a two-set loss to Kauai

Malia Transfiguracion, Kapolei — Had 11 digs in a three-set loss to Kamehameha

Kiani Tuileta, Punahou — Had 55 assists, 12 digs, two kills, two aces and one block in a four-set win over Moanalua and had 48 assists, 15 digs and an ace in a four-set win over Kamehameha

McKayla Ventura, Konawaena — Had 14 digs and two assists in a five-set win over Seabury Hall

McKenna Ventura, Konawaena — Had 15 kills, 15 digs and 19 assists in a four-set win over La Pietra, had 17 digs, 17 assists, five kills and three blocks in a three-set win over Kalaheo and had 11 kills, 10 digs, 17 assists, two blocks and an ace in a five-set win over Seabury Hall

Emily Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Had 11 kills, nine digs and two aces in a three-set win over Hawaii Prep

Delcie Williams, Kailua — Had 11 kills, six digs, two aces and a block in a three-set win over Honokaa

Siani Yamaguchi, Kalaheo — Had 25 assists, 14 digs, 11 kills, two blocks and two aces in a four-set win over Saint Francis and had 15 assists, 11 digs, seven kills and three blocks in a three-set loss to Konawaena