Top Performers
Kaimuki's Espinda, Punahou's Makaula garner weekly award




Female Athlete of the Week: Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki basketball 
While Kaelyn Espinda has proven herself to be prolific scorer for the Kaimuki girls basketball team, her true value goes far beyond the numbers.

The 5-foot-7 junior shooting guard poured in 28 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 67-60 win over Moanalua last Tuesday.

"It just started from the beginning of the game. She saw a couple of shots go in and then from there she's such a good shooter that her confidence continued to grow and when she's open, we want her to shoot the ball because she's such a good shooter," Kaimuki first-year coach Jordan Wong said.

The statistics don't always do Espinda's hustle justice, Wong added.

"If you watch her play, you'll see that on both ends of the floor she's always competing," Wong said. "There's loose balls always in some point in the game and she'll be diving for a loose ball, mixing it up trying to get rebounds and so her effort doesn't always get shown by the stats."

Effort and motivation have never been an issue for Espinda. In fact, it likely was part of the reason she suffered an injury that kept her out of Friday's game at McKinley.

"She gives 100 percent effort every day and after that Moanalua win she rolled her ankle in practice on a hustle play, so she was unavailable against McKinley and that was really tough to deal with," said Wong, whose team came up a point short of the Tigers in a 42-41 defeat.

"We almost pulled it off, but you could see where we missed her offensively and defensively," said Wong, a 2005 Kaimuki graduate who went on to play collegiately at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. and most recently served as an assistant with the Kaiser boys' program before taking over the Bulldogs this year.

Through five Oahu Interscholastic Association games this season, Espinda is averaging 17.2 points per game, which ranks second in the league and third in all of Division I statewide behind Lahainaluna's Braeanna Estabillo (22.5 ppg) and Campbell's Gieani Balino (20 ppg).

Filling in the role of go-to-scorer continues to be a work in progress for Espinda, who earned Second Team All-OIA East honors and Honorable Mention All-Hawaii distinction as a sophomore last season.

"Being a year older, she's kind of growing more into that leadership role," Wong said. "I think last year they were a little more dependent on (Victoria) Kintz, so Kaelyn being the focal point of the offense and growing into that is something she's really transitioning into this year. I think she's always had that ability in her game, but she' just getting more comfortable in that area."

Espinda, whose father, Greydon, coaches the Kaimuki boys team, brings a hard-nosed approach and high hoops IQ.

"I think when most people saw her last year, they thought of her as a spot-up shooter, but this year she's been just relentless about attacking the basket and she has the ability to take it in there and she's strong enough to take the contact and still get her shot up and finish at the rim, so she's really well-rounded offensively," Wong said. "I think her being the daughter of a coach plays a role. She's constantly in the gym, working on her game. You see her out there before practices, after practices, with coach Greydon shooting around, getting her footwork down, so she's always in the gym and she's always working on her game."

Wong also spoke highly of Espinda's work on the defensive half.

"She does a great job keeping her player in front of her, she's there on help-side defense and she's always there to help us with rebounds, so if there's anything that gets overlooked with her, it's probably her defense," Wong said. "You wouldn't somebody who's known to score and shoot the ball to have game on both ends of the floor, but there's a lot of times when we ask her to guard the best players and really just kind of be the one to hold everybody together vocally and try to get everybody in the right positions and keep them aligned, so just being the leader on both offense and defense."

Espinda and the Bulldogs (3-3) will host Farrington Friday.


Male Athlete of the Week:
Kaulana Makaula, Punahou basketball
Kaulana Makaula's skill set has come a long way in his three seasons on the Punahou boys basketball team.

The 6-foot-3 junior put his wide array of talents on display last week, when he averaged 19 points in three games — all of them victories — to lead the Buffanblu to the Saint Francis Holiday Hoops Classic tournament title.

Makaula scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including three 3-pointers, two assists, one rebound and a steal in a first-round rout of Waiakea Tuesday. He had team-highs of 14 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals in a down-to-the-wire semifinal win over Kahuku the following night. Makaula finished the week by shooting 10 of 14 from the field with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in Thursday's eight-point win over host-Saint Francis in the championship game. He scored 12 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

"He was really efficient," Buffanblu coach Darren Matsuda said. "Usually with him we don't even know that he scores that much until we look at the stats because he's so efficient and he really does it within the flow of our system."

Makaula, a small forward who can play every position on the floor except point guard, shot a combined 59 percent (23 of 39) from the field, 38.5 percent (5 of 13) from 3-point range and 71.4 percent (5 of 7) from the free-throw line in the three tournament games last week.

"I think he leads us in rebounding also," Matsuda said. "He's up there."

Matsuda said the athletic Makaula has improved in just about every aspect on the court this season, which was likely expedited by his physical growth within the last year.

"At the end of last season was when he probably starting growing into his body and I think that's helped him out athletically, (but) I think the big thing this year is he's maturing a lot, not only physically, but mentally, and I think the game is slowing down for him. He's now able to figure out what works and implement it," Matsuda said.

Makaula had his best scoring effort this season come in a 75-62 loss to Lincoln (Stockton, Calif.) while the Buffanblu took part in a tournament in Southern California earlier this month. He scored 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, but it was his defensive work against 6-foot-8 Cal-Berkeley-commit Andre Kelly, who was held to 10 points in the game.

"Since we played in California, he's kind of elevated to a new level. I think he gained some new confidence playing against some new competition," Matsuda said. "He scored 25 against Lincoln, one of the top teams in the Stockton/San Joaquin area, and he was guarding Kelly. Ever since then, Kaulana has kind of taken it to another level."

Matsuda said the athleticism of the three-year starter has made him an invaluable asset on the defensive end.

"I think his greatest improvement is that he's been able to play aggressive defense and stay out of foul trouble. Last year he was using his hands too much. He was being physical, but not physical in the right way," Matsuda said. "This year he's playing more with his feet, playing more fundamental. He got in a lot of foul trouble last year, so that was a point of emphasis for us this year, bringing that same intensity and defensive intensity that he always has without fouling. Again, he pretty much has grown into his body this year and that's helped him a lot to go to another level athletically."

If there is a part of Makaula's game that gets overlooked, it's his passing ability, Matsuda said.

"He's a really good passer, especially when he looks for his teammates. I think that's one thing that he started when we were playing over the summer in summer leagues and that's continued on now into the season, and with the way we play, we're always trying to look for the best shot and trying to find each other and Kaulana really embodies that in our system."

Add all of it up and Makaula has become a pretty complete player.

"He makes a lot of hustle plays — offensive rebounds, getting out in transition — and he has a post game now, so he can score inside and outside. Plus he's one of our best perimeter defenders. He takes a lot of pride in his defense, so all-around he's been great for us this year," Matsuda said.

Makaula and the Buffanblu (12-1) have won six in a row since losing to Lincoln on Dec. 7. They will host the 16-team Punahou Invitiatonal Wednesday through Saturday at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Kekaukahi Alameda, Hilo — Scored 18 points in a win over Kau and scored 22 points in a win over Parker

Kymani Ayonon, Waialua — Scored 18 points in a loss to Saint Louis II and scored 18 points in a loss to Pearl City

Jojo Balagot, Hilo — Scored 19 points in a win over Kau

Felicer Barut, Waipahu — Scored 21 points in a win over Kaimuki

Conner Brown, Parker — Scored 35 points in a loss to Pahoa

Elijah Busenbark, Christian Academy — Scored 23 points in a win over Island Pacific

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

Kainoa Coarsey, Assets — Scored 22 points in a win over Le Jardin

Liam Fitzgerald, Leilehua — Scored 21 points in a loss to Moanalua and scored 23 points in a loss to Kapolei

Makani Hiltner, Iolani II — Scored 20 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Josh Hooper, Hanalani — Scored 21 points in a win over Castle and scored 20 points in a win over Maryknoll II

Isaiah Hopson, Kailua — Scored 19 points in a win over Waiakea

Robert Hutchison, Campbell — Scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, four steals and four assists in a loss to Saint Francis

Makoa Ing, Saint Louis II — Scored 26 points in a win over Waialua

Samuel Kahapea, Kameameha-Hawaii — Scored 26 points in a win over Waiakea

Jaymin Khan-Smith, Kaiser — Scored 22 points with nine rebounds in a loss to Moanalua

Andrew Kobayashi, Punahou — Scored 22 points in a win over Waiakea

Christian Manera, Kauai — Scored 21 points in a win over Kapaa

Yoshimi Matoba, Christian Academy — Scored 31 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission and scored 29 points in a win over Island Pacific

Liko Medeiros, Hilo — Scored 21 points in a win over Kau and scored 18 points in a win over Parker

Micah Mitchell, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 25 points in a win over Hanalani and scored 29 points in a win over Iolani II

Jared Moran, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 19 points in a loss to Christian Academy

Zoar Nedd, Kapolei — Scored 23 points in a loss to Maryknoll and scored 18 points with 14 rebounds, four steals and two assists in a win over Leilehua

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 25 points in a win over Kealakehe, scored 30 points in a win over Campbell and scored 29 points in a loss to Punahou

Kordel Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points in a loss to Punahou

Jerek Prudencio, Waiakea — Scored 22 points in a win over University Lab, scored 21 points in a loss to Kailua

Koa Evalu Robinson, Lahainaluna — Scored 18 points in a win over Moanalua

Damon Romero, Pahoa — Scored 30 points in a win over Parker

Tolu Smith, Kahuku — Scored 18 points with 13 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and two assists in a loss to Punahou, scored 22 points in a win over Campbell and scored 21 points with 16 rebounds and two assists in a win over Kalaheo

Fred Taulung, Kaimuki — Scored 19 points in a loss to Waipahu

Noah Tominaga, Waiakea — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Campbell, scored 25 points in a win over Kealakehe, scored 19 points in a win over Waiakea and scored 26 points in a win over McKinley

Micah Visoria, Roosevelt — Scored 23 points in a win over Kaimuki

Max Weimken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 27 points in a win over Iolani II

Kobe Young, Kamehameha — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kapolei


GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tanya Blakeney, Kaiser — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kalani

Jaliyah Casem, Kapaa — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kauai

Salara Dill, Radford — Scored 17 points in a win over Kapolei

Julia Fisher, Le Jardin — Scored 16 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Kalena Gibson, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Pearl City

Kaimi Kalei, Saint Francis — Scored 15 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua — Scored 29 points in a win over Waialua

Khrystyna Kanahele, Christian Academy — Scored 16 points in a win over Island Pacific

Kelcie Leong, Moanalua — Scored 15 points in a win over Farrington

Monique Lorenzo, Waimea — Scored 17 points in a win over Kapaa

Tori Lynn Maeda, Iolani — Scored 18 points in a win over Punahou

Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts — Scored 20 points with 10 rebounds, five assists and a steal in loss to Iolani

Te'Hiwa Medeiros, Sacred Hearts — Scored 21 points with 13 rebounds in a loss to Iolani

Kealani Neves, Saint Francis — Scored 18 points in a win over Punahou II

Kellie Okamura, Iolani — Scored 21 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Samantha Pollard, Kalaheo — Scored 28 points in a loss to Farrington

Setita Prescott, Farrington — Scored 10 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a loss to Moanalua

Dahlis Sablay, Mililani — Scored 23 points in a win over Pearl City

Ilana Sagapolutele, Damien — Scored 19 points in a loss to Iolani II

Delylah Sanerivi, Moanalua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kaimuki

Nani Santos, Saint Francis — Scored 22 points in a win over Punahou II

Kaye Serapio, Waimea — Scored 22 points in a win over Kapaa

Temahh Shaw, King Kekaulike — Scored 15 points in a win over Maui

Mele Tafea, Kapaa — Scored 19 points in a loss to Waimea

Alana Talapu, Farrington — Scored 19 points in a win over Kalaheo

Anoulei Tuivai, Seabury Hall — Scored 17 points with 13 rebounds in a win over Molokai and scored 18 points with 15 rebounds in a win over Molokai

Sunshine Vicente, Roosevelt — Scored 16 points in a win over Castle

Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 17 points in a win over University Lab and scored 25 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Shayla Young, Castle — Scored 15 points in a loss to Roosevelt


BOYS SOCCER
Jonathan DeMotta, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Waiakea

Shayden Duldulao, Waimea — Scored two goals in a win over Kapaa

Keanu Hirota, Leilehua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waipahu

Brison Kim, Kalani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalaheo

Noah Mokulehua, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Castle

Joseph Purcell, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a win over Kaimuki

Chaz Watanabe, Kahuku — Scored the lone goal in a win over Farrington

Joseph Wren, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Campbell


GIRLS SOCCER
Aysa Asato-Kahele, Roosevelt — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley and scored three goals in a win over Kalani

Kyla Bandsma, Kapaa — Scored three goals in a win over Island School

Brianna Binder, Kapaa — Scored four goals in a win over Waimea

Kiana Carvalho, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley

Marea Lee, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Le Jardin

Xailyn Lyman-Moke, Waiakea — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Hunter Malaki, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Jordan Okuhara, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Ciana Rivera, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Kaiser

Brynn Rodrigues, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Cheyenne Smith, Campbell — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapolei

Alysha Somera, Waipahu — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua

Jordan Zarate, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals in a win over Keaau



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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