The Seariders' senior forward and Sabers' junior guard led their teams to key wins in OIA West play last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Douglas Mitchell, Waianae
A lot of the hopes for the Waianae boys basketball team will rest on the shoulder of Douglas Mitchell.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, senior forward, proved just that last week by scoring a season-high 24 points to lead the Seariders to a 49-39 win over visiting Pearl City in their regular-season opener Friday.

Waianae had just wrapped up the preseason portion of its schedule two days prior by going 1-3 in the prestigious Iolani Classic.

Mitchell averaged 14.5 points in the Seariders' four games in the tournament. He opened the tournament with a 17-point effort in a 36-point loss to De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) and matched that in a four-point win over Kaiser three nights later, before going for 20 points in an 18-points loss to then-No. 1 Punahou.

"To me that was perfect that we played two mainland teams and Punahou because we're not going to see that kind of speed and quickness in the (OIA) West — maybe from some of the East teams," Waianae coach John Simbahon said. "I thought it did us good because now we know the bar ourselves and how fast it can get, how fast we can be and I think Doug realized that, too."

Simbahon said the rout at the hands of De La Salle — as well as a 71-point loss to Mount Vernon (New York) two nights later — ended up having a positive effect on his team.

"That first day the guys started getting on each other, but I told them that those teams are quicker, they're bigger, they're faster and as long as we learn from it it's all good," Simbahon said. "I think, you know, they're Waianae guys so they're competitive and they want to win, but by watching the games throughout the tournament they realized these guys are big and they're good, so they didn't get discouraged and I think in the long run it helped us out tremendously."

The quick turnaround from Wednesday's loss to the Buffanblu to Friday's win over the Chargers didn't seem to hinder the Seariders, who jumped out to a 12-2 lead after the first quarter and held a 24-10 advantage at halftime.

"I was worried about finishing the Iolani Classic Wednesday and then opening the regular season Friday, but our message was to use the Iolani Classic to our advantage," Simbahon said. "I was kind of surprised how well we came out Friday and played in-your-face defense. We struggled running some of our offensive sets, but defensively we were in it all game."

Simbahon said the best part of Mitchell's play last week was that it was spurred by playing team basketball.

"He's distributing the ball, he's not being selfish and he knows that they're going to double him and come after him, but I think that's where he's getting better as a team player because he knows if they double him he can make the pass and get other people involved, too," Simbahon said. "He's getting everybody involved and the ball is actually coming back to him."

Mitchell, a captain for the Seariders, also participated in the Iolani Classic dunk contest Tuesday night and made the finals en route to a fourth-place finish, which speaks to his athleticism, Simbahon said.

"He can bring the ball up, he can play the post game with his back to the basket, he can be a slasher-type, and he's like a freakishly-good athlete the way he can jump," Simbahon said. "He has that quickness if they try to pressure him, he can beat you off the dribble and he's tall enough to pass and see over people."

Simbahon has been at the helm of the Seariders' program for 11 seasons. He does not mince words when speaking of Mitchell's ability and potential.

"Doug is probably the only guy that I've coached that can go to college and play basketball," Simbahon said. "During practice we have the coaches go up against him. He knows his potential and he knows he can be better. The best thing about Doug is he has a really good attitude. I don't see him talking back, he's always greeting people, he's always well-mannered and I think that alone will take him a long way in life."

Mitchell and the Seariders (1-0) will host Campbell Wednesday before visiting Leilehua Friday.

Female Athlete of the Week: Gieani Balino, Campbell basketball
The Campbell girls basketball team was very much in need to a win Thursday night and Gieani Balino helped deliver one.

The 5-foot-6 junior guard scored 24 points and the Sabers held on for a 58-55 win over previously-unbeaten Mililani in a pivotal Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division game.

Balino scored 17 points before halftime, including 10 in the second quarter, against the seventh-ranked Trojans. She hit four 3-pointers, two of them early in the second quarter, and grabbed six rebounds with two assists and a steal.

"She did score the bulk of the points for us that night, but her being that effective created a lot of opportunities for other people, too," Campbell coach Summer Aona said. "She's a smart kid, a smart player and she's not afraid, so she'll do what she need to do to make her teammates get open."

Balino, who is also a setter on the volleyball team, ended up fouling out with 6:26 left in the game after being called for a pair of borderline charge calls, but her contributions far outnumbered her misplays, Aona said.

"She was passing the ball off and trying to get rid of it and I thought the other girl flopped a little bit, but it is what it is as far as that goes, but at that point I think the rest of the girls knew that they needed to pick it up and pick her up, too," Aona said. "I think they understood what was at stake and I don't think they feel like they need to solely rely on Gieani and I think this proved that to them. She may have laid the groundwork to get us ahead, but it says something for the rest of the girls to hang on."

Aona said Balino's points came in a variety of ways Thursday, but all within the flow of the offense.

"(Mililani) had somebody guarding her — and she ended up fouling out, too — but she was a bit smaller than Gieani and so I think that was a mismatch," Aona said. "Gieani is strong. She got shots off from inside, hit some treys from the outside, made some breakaway layups, so offensively she had a good, all-around game and she was able to do pretty much whatever she wanted to do."

Balino's value to the Sabers is not restricted to just the offensive side of the floor.

"She gets a lot of time on the top of our half-court trap or three-quarters press being the main ball-harasser," Aona said. "We try to run with the ball and if she's up ahead they're going to give it to her because they know she's going to score."

After routing Pearl City, 65-11, to open the OIA West season, Campbell dropped back-to-back games to Nanakuli and Radford, by a combined 10 points. The win over Mililani brought the Sabers back to 2-2 in league play.

"It was a big win for us," Aona said. "We keep telling them that on any given night it's anybody's game and that anything can happen. It was a great game, but we have to remember that everybody is equal so anything can happen."

Aona said Balino's biggest gains have come in her self-confidence this year.

"She's grown a lot more comfortable and she sees herself as a leader, and that's good," Aona said. "I feel like that's important for not only her self-confidence, but for the team's as well. It's been a joy to see this team play together. It's a different dynamic from what we had last year and her confidence is key to that."

Balino and the Sabers will host Aiea Tuesday night before visiting Waipahu Thursday.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Jordan Annaguey, Radford — Scored 26 points in a loss to Mililani

Shaun Apiki, Damien — Scored 18 points in a loss to Saint Louis

Jake Arakawa, Island Pacific — Scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Honolulu Waldorf

Nate Bek, Island Pacific — Scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Ja'Shon Carter, Kapolei — Scored 20 points in a win over Campbell

Franscer Castro, Maui — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Maui

Keomaikalani Chun, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui

Jeremy Coloyan, McKinley — Scored 21 points in a win over Kaimuki

Hugh Donlon, Mid-Pacific — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapolei

Dakota Fisher, Christian Academy — Scored 17 points in a win over Lanakila Baptist

Frederick Harris, Christian Academy — Scored 17 points in a win over Lanakila Baptist

Seth Hiro, Saint Louis II — Scored 22 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Waialua

Hugh Hogland, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over De La Salle

Radyn Kaleikini, University Lab — Scored 18 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Travis Kaloa, University Lab — Scored 20 points in a win over Tafuna

Makoto Kamata, Maryknoll — Scored 19 points in a win over Overlake

Chris Kobayashi, Punahou — Scored 18 points in a loss to Corona Del Sol

Lancen Kuni, Waialua — Scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Saint Louis II and scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu

Jeffrey Mangahis, Lanakila Baptist — Scored 35 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Damien II

Brayden Marumoto, Damien II — Scored 20 points in a loss to Lanakila Baptist

Calvin Mattos, Waiakea — Scored 21 points in a loss to Punahou and scored 27 points in a win over Kaiser

Christian Mejia, Kailua — Scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss to Southwind

Elton Naki, Castle — Scored 31 points in a loss to McKinley

Isaiah Nakoa-Oness — Scored 16 points in a loss to Honokaa

Zoar Nedd, Kapolei — Scored 19 points in a win over Waiakea and scored 18 points in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 25 points, including eight 3-pointers, in a win over Nanakuli

Brayden Nueku, Kaiser — Scored 17 points in a win over Moanalua

Jordan Pender, Radford — Scored 20 points in a loss to Mililani

Cole Phillips, Waipahu — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Waialua

Kaleo Pogue, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Radford

Noa Purcell, Saint Louis — Scored 17 points in a win over Damien

Jaymin Santiago-Burns, Pahoa — Scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in a win over Laupahoehoe

Frank Schmidt, Honolulu Waldorf — Scored 18 points in a loss to Island Pacific

Joseph Sealy, Maryknoll II — Scored 19 points in a loss to Leilehua

Saxson Shira, Kapaa — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kauai

Tyler Sproat, Lanakila Baptist — Scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Dr. Phillips

Iverson Turno, Lahainaluna — Scored 17 points in a win over Maui

Kamren Victorino-Kato, Kamehameha — Scored 17 points in a win over Overlake

Jessiya Villa, Kahuku — Scored 26 points and six assists in a win over De La Salle

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Brittni Blake, Kahuku — Scored 21 points in a win over McKinley

Kaylee Cambra, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 19 points in a win over King Kekaulike and scored 16 points in a win over Maui

Jaliyah Casem, Kapaa — Scored 23 points in a win over Waimea

Celia Chang, Punahou II — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kamehameha II

Savanna Christensen, Kahuku — Scored 16 points in a win over McKinley

Kaile DeSoto, Kailua — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kaimuki

Maile Dougherty, Seabury Hall — Scored 15 points in a win over Molokai

Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki — Scored 22 points, including five 3-pointers, with six rebounds and four assists in a win over Roosevelt

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

Molimau Heimuli, Farrington — Scored 22 points in a win over Kaiser

Trinidee Kahunahana, Kaiser — Scored 23 points in a win over McKinley and scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Farrington

Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua — Scored 17 points in a win over Waianae

Taylor Kodani, Island Pacific — Scored 22 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Kirstin Kouchi, Kalani — Scored 22 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Moanalua

Jordyn Mantz, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 16 points in a win over Keaau

Shania Nakamura, Damien — Scored 15 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Hanalani

Kryssie Okinaka, Waiakea — Scored 15 points in a win over Pahoa

Alyssa Oshita, Pearl City — Scored 15 points in a win over Aiea

Kiarra Palacio, Waimea — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kapaa

Peyton Pedroso, Island Pacific — Scored 29 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Emma Porter, Mid-Pacific — Scored 16 points in a win over Island Pacific

Ashley Peralta, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 15 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Dannica Roberts, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 15 points in a loss to Island Pacific

Dahlis Sablay, Mililani — Scored 18 points with five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a loss to Campbell

Keila Tsutsui, Hanalani — Scored 15 points in a loss to Hanalani

Anaulei Tuivai, Seabury Hall — Scored 22 points in a win over Molokai

Kiana Vierra, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points with four rebounds, four blocks and two steals in a win over Sacred Hearts

BOYS SOCCER
Paytin Ayau, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall and scored two goals in a win over Maui

Noah Camacho, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley

Aikala Chappell, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Angelo Deloso-Flocco, Baldwin — Scored two goals in a win over King Kekaulike

Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored the lone goal in a win over Mid-Pacific

Keanu Hirota, Leilehua — Scored two goals in a loss to Radford

Thang Justin Ho, Farrington — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalaheo

Triston Kapahua, Waianae — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Amadou Kone, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua

Chad Morishige, Roosevelt — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Truman Spring, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a win over Castle

Makana Srivongsana, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Kailua

Coe Trevorrow, PAC-5 — Scored the lone goal in a win over Punahou

Noah Ungos, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua

Luke Wyman, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waipahu

GIRLS SOCCER
Brianna Binder, Kapaa — Scored four goals in a win over Island School

Sharon Cain, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over PAC-5

Chai Cortez, Maui — Scored three goals in a win over St. Anthony

Kiara Cuyo, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Kealakehe

Kaisha Davis-Caberto, Kapaa — Scored three goals in a win over Island School

Eryn Duquette, King Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over St. Anthony

Randi Fontes, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waipahu

Kapuamakamae Gomera-Stevens, Kamehameha — Scored four goals in a win over PAC-5

Keile Halvorsen, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kailua

Hannah Heffelfinger, Radford — Scored the lone goal in a win over Leilehua

Emi Higgins, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Waiakea

Tysja-Lee Kaanana, Baldwin — Scored three goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Shaelyn Kam, Kalaheo — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington

Ilihia Keawekane, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored five goals in a win over Maui

Marissa Levine, Kalaheo — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington

Leialoha Medeiros, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Lauren Mukaigawa, Punahou — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Ciana Rivera, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kahuku

Rayna Santiago, Nanakuli — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waianae

Kahela Ventura, Kauai — Scored three goals in a win over Waimea