The Red Raiders' senior point guard and Bulldogs' senior utility led their respective teams to victory last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Jessiya Villa, Kahuku basketball
It hasn't taken very long at all for Jessiya Villa's impact to be felt on the Kahuku boys basketball team.

The 6-foot senior point guard, who has deep roots in Hawaii, is making a seamless transition back to the 50th state after a earning all-state honors at Martinsburg High School in West Virginia last year.

Villa helped the Red Raiders (8-2) to a trio of wins in the past week and is coming off perhaps best performances of the season in monumental back-to-back wins over mainland powers Mount Vernon (New York) and De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) in the Iolani Classic.

In last Monday's 62-57 win over Kamehameha, Villa recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists to go along with six rebounds. Five days later, Villa poured in a season-high 27 points with six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 60-54 win over Mount Vernon, and he followed that up Monday night with a 26-point performance in Kahuku's 56-51 win over De La Salle.

"Saturday he stepped on the floor and his game just elevated and I think when you play good teams like that — like a Mount Vernon, like a De La Salle — those guys are structured, they're disciplined and for him to compete and have the kind of games he had and to get other people involved tells you what kind of player he is," Kahuku coach Brandyn Akana said.

Villa shot 8 of 18 from the field and 8 of 13 from the free-throw line in Monday's win. He also had six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Akana said Villa's value to the Red Raiders is immeasurable.

"I think he's a great team player and point guards make it happen," Akana said. "I've coached a lot of good point guards in the past and if you've got a good point guard, everybody is in good hands and I think everybody on the team knows it and they kind of look forward to it, so that's what he brings to the table and that's why point guards get wins and he's been doing that for us."

Villa passed the credit for his early success to his teammates.

"I see my role just to be a leader and to push my teammates, distribute the ball, be a facilitator, step up when I need to, score the ball when I need to, play tough defense, but props to these guys — Kesi Ah-Hoy, Codie Sauvao, Samuta, Daniel (Fotu), Tai (Wright), the names go on and on — but props to them for welcoming me and allowing me to do what I do best, so I'm thankful for that."

Villa was born in Laie and raised in Nanakuli before his family moved to West Virginia eight years ago. His father, Kahi, was a member of the state championship-winning Kamehameha boys' team in 1992. Jessiya's grandfather, Bill, is a former Kamehameha coach who spent 15 years as athletic director at ASSETS and Mid-Pacific before taking the same position at Chaminade University.

Jessiya's family played a big part in his decision to return home.

"I just wanted to give the community that I partially grew up in something to conquer, something to hold," Villa, one of three transfers along with Avea (Bingham, Utah) and Fotu (New Zealand). "Those two are amazing basketball players. We just wanted to give to this community and give back to the community that we partially grew up in. I have tons of family here in Laie and Hauula, so I just wanted to give back to them and represent Kahuku basketball."

Villa's re-introduction to the program came in an almost serendipitous manner when his Martinsburg team participated in last year's Iolani Classic.

"I was just reflecting on how I came here last year and we played (Kahuku) in the first round and just their presence and their chemistry as a team really stood out to me," Villa said. "For the ability to be here with the club and this amazing coaching staff, wonderful players. It's developed great and I'm extremely glad to be part of this club."

Akana said Villa's excellence extends far beyond the court.

"He's the coach on the floor and an extension with the guys of our coaching staff, so that's a blessing to have somebody like that on the team," Akana said. "He's a great example on and off the court. I mean, he's a 4.0 student. Everybody looks up to him."

Kahuku became the first team from Hawaii to reach the semifinal round of the prestigious Iolani Classic since 2006.

-Kalani Takase

Female Athlete of the Week: Victoria Kintz, Kaimuki basketball
The Kaimuki girls basketball team's transition to Division I has been seamless with Victoria Kintz leading the way.

Kintz, a 5-foot-5 senior that can play any position for the Bulldogs, had a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds to lead Kaimuki in a 50-35 win over then seventh-ranked Farrington last Thursday.

The Bulldogs, winners of the past two Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II titles, improved to 3-0 in league play with the win to move into first place in the OIA Division I East standings.

Kaimuki coach Mona Faasoa spoke about Kintz's versatility after the game.

"She's my best all-around player. I depend on her in the post. When we have a mismatch I depend on her to shoot 3s. I depend on her to handle the ball. She's my go-to kid."

While Kintz's statistics were pivotal in Kaimuki's win over the Governors, her leadership off and on the floor proved to be invaluable to her team's success against a larger Farrington team.

"She's just a solid returnee," Faasoa said on Kintz. "She's been such a great team member and a good role model for these younger girls to look up to."

Kintz added that she challenged her fellow teammates to rise to the occasion before the game even started.

"I told them in the beginning of the game, just come in hungry, don't fear anybody," said Kintz. "We're the underdogs this year. Just play hard and give it all you got."

If there was one player that took Kintz's pregame speech to heart, it was Kaimuki reserve center Mele Loo-Godinet. The 5-foot-10 junior had the assignment of defending Farrington post Molimau Heimuli, the team's leading scorer, and center Naomi Pelter. Loo-Godinet did well in her role as the Heimuli and Pelter had just 10 combined points.

"I had a little prep talk before the game with her and I said ‘if you want to play, you got to play. Just give it all you got,'" Kintz said on Loo-Godinet.

Aside from her motivational speeches and statistics, there are great plays that Kintz made that don't show up on the box score. The 5-foot-5 senior had strong drives to the basket to draw double teams, constantly tracked down loose balls to prevent turnovers and helped milk time of the clock in the fourth quarter with her team leading by double digits.

"She just plays basketball, the kid just likes to play," said Faasoa.

The play that stood out the most was when Kintz got back on defense after a Kaimuki turnover and drew a charge on Heimuli, her second foul of the game, midway through the second quarter.

Heimuli later picked up her third foul before the end of the first half and had to sit to start the third quarter with Kaimuki leading 25-16. When Heimuli did enter the game in the second half, the Bulldogs had already grown their lead to 37-22.

"That (charge) was big because that took her out of the game and that's when we tried to stretch our lead," said Faasoa.

Kaimuki never looked back in the second half and held on to give the Governors their first loss in league play.

With the way her team has been playing lately, Kintz believes that her team can go far this season.

"As long as we play together and we stay together, we'll be good. We're really growing with each other so I'm really proud of everyone."

After a Tuesday night win over Kailua, 46-32, the Bulldogs now sit at 4-0 atop the OIA Division I East standings.

-Michael Lasquero

BOYS BASKETBALL
Matthew Amitoso, Mililani — Scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Moanalua

Jake Arakawa, Island Pacific — Scored 19 points in a win over Damien II

Samuta Avea, Kahuku — Scored 19 points with eight rebounds and two blocks in a win over Kamehameha

Caleb Casinas, Moanalua — Scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Mililani

RJ Dominguez, Moanalua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Mililani

Solomon Escalante, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points with 14 rebounds and an assist in a win over Honokaa

Dakota Fisher, Christian Academy — Scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Island Pacific

Frederick Harris, Christian Academy — Scored 21 points in a win over Island Pacific

Hugh Hogland, Iolani — Scored 19 points with 12 rebounds, eight blocks and an assist in a win over Kaiser

Radyn Kaleikini, University Lab — Scored 30 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Radford

Noah Kurosawa, Saint Francis — Scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Kamehameha

Bryton Lewi, Kealakehe — Scored 21 points in a win over Kohala

Carver Locke, Lahainaluna — Scored 17 points in a win over Kaimuki

Christian Mejia, Kailua — Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a win over Corona Del Sol

Douglas Mitchell, Waianae — Scored 17 points with eight rebounds, four blocks, one assist and a steal in a loss to De La Salle

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Saint Louis

Jaymason Nunuha, Saint Louis — Scored 19 points with one rebound, one assist, one block and a steal in a win over Kalaheo

Jordan Pender, Radford — Scored 19 points in a win over Farrington

Zion Shepherd, Mid-Pacific — Scored 10 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block in a loss to Findlay Prep

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Nanakuli

Kamren Victorino-Kato, Kamehameha — Scored 22 points with seven rebounds, three steals and an assist in a loss to Kahuku

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Antoinette Agmata, Baldwin — Scored 17 points in a win over Maui

Camy Aguinaldo, Iolani — Scored 20 points in a win over Kamehameha and scored 18 points in a win over Punahou

Gieani Balino, Campbell — Scored 15 points in a loss to Radford

Savanna Christensen, Kahuku — Scored 19 points in a win over Moanalua

Braeanna Estabillo, Lahainaluna — Scored 19 points in a  win over Kamehameha-Maui

Trinidee Kahunahana, Kaiser — Scored 15 points in a win over Castle

Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena — Scored 15 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Brillie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific — Scored 16 points in a win over Damien

Kelcie Leong, Moanalua — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Kahuku

Alizelia Love, Waianae — Scored 18 points in a loss to Mililani

Logan Luke, Kalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Kailua

Kloe Lum, McKinley — Scored 17 points, including three 3-pointers, with three rebounds and a steal in a win over Castle

Mikiala Maio, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Selene Mizusawa, Iolani II — Scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Punahou II

Alana Nuuanu, Nanakuli — Scored 21 points in a win over Campbell

Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha — Scored 19 points in a loss to Iolani

Rhianne Omori, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Kamehameha

Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk, Kamehameha — Scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Iolani

Dannica Roberts, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Reilani Roller, Castle — Scored 18 points on six 3-pointers with three rebounds in a loss to McKinley

Tia Thompson, La Pietra — Scored 22 points in a win over Christian Academy

Olivia Vaeatangitau, Saint Francis — Scored 19 points in a win over La Pietra

Sunshine Vicente, Roosevelt — Scored 18 points in a win over Kalaheo

BOYS SOCCER
Noah Aghdasi, Roosevelt — Scored two goals in a tie against Kalani

DJ Aquino, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley

Roberto Cardenas, Lahainaluna — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Aikala Chappell, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Angelo Deloso-Flocco, Baldwin — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Connor Hunt, Island School — Scored two goals in a win over Kauai

Payad Jadsopha, McKinley — Scored two goals in a loss to Roosevelt

Triston Kapahua, Waianae — Scored two goals in a win over Radford

Bryson Kim, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani

Amadou Kone, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Nick LaManna, Saint Louis — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Duncan McKenna, Punahou — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Rylan Respicio, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa

Michael Scott, Waiakea — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Tanner Shimomoto, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Makana Srivongsana, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Castle

Ripley Quebral, Kailua — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington

Daniel Woo, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli

Luke Wyman, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli

Rylen Yadao, Kauai — Scored two goals in a tie against Kapaa

GIRLS SOCCER
Sarah Ashford, Kalaheo — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalani

Zoe Asue, King Kekaulike — Scored the lone goal in a win over Maui

Chelsie Deponte, PAC-5 — Scored the lone goal in a win over Sacred Hearts

Angel Ferge, Baldwin — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Ashelen Grasso, Maui — Scored three goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Hannah Heffelfinger, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Emi Higgins, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a tie against Konawaena

Hokulei Ishikawa, Campbell — Scored the lone goal in a win over Pearl City

Kylee Kim-Bustillos, Iolani — Scored four goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Randi Macadangdang, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Kapolei and scored the lone goal in a win over Waipahu

Leialoha Medeiros, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored four goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Chaylyn Navares, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Kapolei

Kamalei Roback, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Kelci Sumida, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaiser

Ali Temme, Island School — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waimea

Kayla Tuitele, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Kahela Ventura, Kauai — Scored four goals in a win over Kapaa

WRESTLING
Teniya Alo, Kahuku — Won the girls' 127-pound weight class at the HWOA Scholarship Tournament with four pins and a tournament-best 32 points for her team

Jayden Ferreira, Baldwin — Won the boys' 195-pound weight class at the HWOA Scholarship Tournament and earned 30 points for his team

KJ Pascua, Iolani — Won the boys' 170-pound weight class at the HWOA Scholarship Tournament and earned 30 points for his team

Micah Tynanes-Perez, Campbell — Won the boys' 220-pound weight class at the HWOA Scholarship Tournament and earned 30 points for his team