Top Performers
Wiemken, Kamelamela paced Eagles, Mules




Male Athlete of the Week: Max Wiemken, Hawaii Baptist basketball
Coming into his fourth season as a starter for the Hawaii Baptist boys basketball team this year, much was expected out of Max Wiemken. To say that the 6-foot-3 senior has lived up to the expectations is probably an understatement.

Wiemken averaged 23.7 points in four games for the Eagles (5-4) last week, including a season-high 35-point output against Radford Saturday.

In last Monday's come-from-behind 46-41 win over McKinley, Wiemken shot 9 of 12 from the free-throw line and finished with a game-high 20 points. HBA also took part in the Kaimuki Invitational Thursday through Saturday. Wiemken was 9 of 11 from the line and netted 17 points in a loss to Kaimuki to open the tournament. He poured in 23 points, including 8 of 10 on free throws, in Friday's 54-48 win over Leilehua before going off against the Rams in a 17-point loss the following day.

"Max was consistent throughout that Radford game and he did it inside, he did it outside, he did it mid-range, he did it from the free-throw line and he grabbed like 17 boards in that game," said HBA coach George Weeks.

Wiemken, who scored all but 13 of the Eagles points against Radford, was often matched up with Radford's Emmanual Stevenson and Dimonyai Lacey, a pair of Damien transfers.

"Last year Max got hurt down the stretch run and broke his wrist. Ironically it was out second game against Damien and we were playing against those two guys, but his injury really affected what we were not able to do down the stretch. I think if we didn't have Max (this year) it would really, really struggle. It's tough enough as it is because we're a really small team, so just having a healthy Max has been a blessing for us." Weeks said.

What makes Wiemken's production last week even more impressive is the fact that it came on both ends of the floor — and with just six available bodies.

"the last four games, because we've had kids out with injury and drama and choir and band, we've only had six guys for those four games. Max is always very reliable in terms of what he brings for us, but he really put together a monster string of games there, which just speaks to his ability and his desire to step it up when he needs to," Weeks said.

Weeks added that Wiemken's versatility makes him an invaluable asset.

"We really only have two positions, but he can kind of do it all for us. He's played four different spots, everything from shooting guard to center, but our center is not a traditional center, although he can play that way," Weeks said. "Last week he did it on both ends of the floor. He just played and has been playing complete games for us, handling the ball when he needs to, scoring from the inside, scoring from the outside, giving us a defensive presence and rebounding the basketball. For us, he is Mr. Everything and he's been so good at being consistent that we've almost even come to expect it."

Earlier in the preseason, the Eagles played host to Crater (Ore.) and its highly-touted big man, Nate Bittle, a five-star recruit.

"I didn't tell the kids about him, but he's a 6-foot-10 sophomore and he's already got at least six Division I offers already from the PAC-12 and Max outplayed him," Weeks said. "Max was able to take him outside and he took him off the dribble; Max just seems to step up. Whenever we need a boost, Max is the guy that I can expect to give us what we need. I mean, we get it from other guys, too, but on a very daily, consistent basis, Max is kind of like my coffee. He gets me up and going; I can't get through my day without my coffee or Max."

Wiemken earned All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II second team honors as a junior last season, but will be looked to help fill the void left behind by high-scoring guard Micah Mitchell, who was both a first team All-ILH and All-Hawaii selection last year.

"I think with the departure of Micah, him graduating last year has reared even more opportunities for Max, but also probably more responsibilities is a better word," Weeks said. "Because of our challenges, we need someone to step up and take that role on, so he's a huge, huge part of what we do. Every year he's seemed to get a little bit better and a little bit better."

Weeks added that Wiemken's even-keel demeanor tends to belie his competitiveness.

"He's doesn't get too high or too low emotionally, but I guess the way to describe it is he just kind of has a quiet fire to him that on the outside he's not going to be a guy who pounds on his chest, but having been around him and seeing how he compete, he does have a fire," Weeks said. "He's a fierce competitor and it comes out more in the way that he plays. He's just one of those kids that's willing to sacrifice for his team and give you all that he's got and he happens to be pretty darn good at the same time."

Wiemken, who also plays volleyball for the Eagles during the spring season, has an affinity for sailing the seas.

"He's taking about going to the U.S. Maritime Academy," Weeks said. "His dad is a boat captain who spends six months a year up in the arctic on an icebreaker and he kind of wants to follow in his dad's footsteps. He's just a bright, neat, engaging guy. I love interacting with him; he's a good kid from a good family and is just a pleasure to be around."

Wiemken and the Eagles open league play against University Lab Tuesday night before participating in the 16-team Punahou Invitational Wednesday through Saturday this week.


Female Athlete of the Week: Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua basketball
In the case of Kaylen Kamelamela, the statistics don't give a true account of her worth to the Leilehua girls basketball team.

But the stats are still pretty darn good.

Kamelamela averaged 17 points in a pair of victories for the Mules (4-0) last week, including four made 3-pointers that was part of a 21-point performance in Saturday's 24-point win over Waianae to match her season high in points scored.

"It was great, (but) it was like her other games for us this year," Leilehua coach Elroy Dumlao said of the 5-foot-9 senior. "She shared the ball, she played defense and then within our offense her shots were dropping.We were moving the ball a lot and fortunately she had open shots. It was good for her because she really works hard on her shot in practices, so it was good to see that."

While Kamelamela's offensive production was evident, her defensive prowess didn't come through in the box score.

"She understood that Waianae was looking to get the ball inside to their really tall girl, so I didn't say anything to her about that, but she knew we're already small on the post side and she knew to come down and double on their bigs, so she did her part on the defensive side, too," Dumlao said.

Kamelamela, a four-year starter played for Dumlao in her first two seasons. The Mules won the OIA Division I championship when she was a freshman. She earned first team All-Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Conference honors as a junior last year.

"She learned as a freshman, kind of took a back seat, was kind of shaky, quiet, didn't want to even talk, but with her skill set alone she was a good part of our OIA championship team," said Dumlao, who did not coach last season before returning to the post this year.

Dumlao credits Kamelamela's parents and last year's coach, Conrad Shidaki, for diversifying her repertoire.

"Her parents kept her playing at a high level with some of the top clubs here and coach Conrad worked with her last year on playing the (power forward position) and she was really playing at a high level throughout the summer and offseason," Dumlao said.

Kamelamela's versatility and experience made Dumlao believe that she could take on another new position this season: point guard.

"I needed a leader, somebody who kind of knew the system a little bit and would help us get the process going and being experienced on the varsity, Kaylen understood what we run," Dumlao said. "As a freshman she was so shy, she didn't want to shoot the ball, but that was fine with us because she was just a complementary player, but now it's a while different story and a different team, so we'll need her scoring, but if she's off, we'll need somebody to pick up the slack, so that's what we're working on as a team right now."

Dumlao calls the season a work in progress and Kamelamela a coach on the floor.

"We have girls who are just seasonal players, so Kaylen was way ahead of the game when we started off and the rest of the girls weren't at that level, but she took the time and patience to help these girls and try to get them up to par. She was hungry, but she stayed patient knowing that she'd need teammates to complement her game and the girls are starting to come around, so her leadership is a big plus for us. Again, it's a credit to coach Conrad and her parents; I'm the benefactor of it this year. I think right now she's playing her best and I'm so lucky to have her."

Kamelamela possesses a diversified skill set on the offensive end and is averaging 18.8 point per game. She has hit at least one 3-pointer in each league game this year, but has also been an effective distributor of the basketball.

"Kaylen averages about four to five assists per game. She's a slasher, a shooter, she can go to the hoop, she can finish with both hands, she's got a floater, she's got a pull-up jumper, so she has a pretty good arsenal and she can go to the next level with that arsenal," Dumlao said.

Kamelamela has led the Mules in scoring in two of their four games this season, which is the type of parity Dumlao is excited about.

"She has great instincts. She knows when she's open and she knows if she can go to the rack, or if we need a point, but we're hoping that we don't have to have her score 21 points for us to win games," Dumlao said. "Ideally it'd be maybe 12 or 14 (points) with some rebounds and everybody else chip in. She probably could score 35 points easily, but that's not within the concept of what I try do to at Leilehua."

Leilehua enters the week in a four-way tie with Kapolei, Mililani and Radford for first place in the OIA Division I West standings.

"It's really nice for them to come out and have the taste of winning within the team concept. Confidence is always going to generate energy and right now they're playing with confidence, so hopefully we peak at the right time. We're not trying to go out and play our best basketball right now," Dumlao said.

Kamelamela and the Mules host Aiea Tuesday night.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Noah Bryant, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Island Pacific

CJ Cromartie, Kauai — Scored 27 points in a win over University Lab

Leif Fautanu, University Lab — Scored 22 points in a win over Le Jardin

Zachary Gagnon, Leilehua — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha

Jydon Hall, Damien — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Saint Francis

Robert Hutchinson, Campbell — Scored 18 points in a win over Le Jardin, scored 19 points in a win over University Lab

Liloa Kapiko, Saint Louis — Scored 11 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and a block in a win over Saint Francis

Dimonyai Lacey, Radford — Scored 18 points in a win over McKinley

Jeffrey Mangahis, Lanakila Baptist — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Island Pacific and scored 23 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Shesley Martinez, Kau — Scored 18 points in a loss to Pahoa

Raefe McEnroe, Farrington — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapolei

Koby Moananu, Kaimuki — Scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Kordel Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 40 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Waiakea, scored 18 points in a win over Kaiser, scored 32 points, including 12-of-13 shooting on free throws, in a loss to Punahou, scored 21 points in a win over Kahuku and scored 21 points in a loss to Saint Louis

Ryan Pardini, Kalaheo — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, with eight rebounds in a loss to Kailua and scored 22 points with five rebounds, six steals and an assist in a win over McNair

Lokahi Pauole, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points in a win over Leilehua

Derek Payne, Island Pacific — Scored 19 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission, scored 17 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Lanakila Baptist

Nainoa Peters, Kailua — Scored 18 points in a loss to Waiakea

John Gilbert Ramos, Waianae — Scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha II

Damon Romero, Pahoa — Scored 25 points in a win over Kau

Robbie Sauvao, Kahuku — Scored 20 points in a win over Kauai

Cyrus Singelman, Kaiser — Scored 20 points in a win over Saint Louis II

William Soaren, Waiakea — Scored 29 points in a win over Kailua

Emmanual Stevenson, Radford — Scored 18 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Robert Thompson, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points with nine rebounds and five steals in a loss to Kailua

Mitchell Williams, Campbell — Scored 25 points in a loss to Punahou II

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Aloha Akaka, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Hooliiaiesu Baptiste, Christian Academy — Scored 22 points in a win over La Pietra

Noelani Beard, Castle — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kalani

Taeya Blakeney, Kaiser — Scored 13 points with 15 rebounds in a loss to McKinley and scored 15 points in a win over Moanalua

Asia Castillo, Leilehua — Scored 15 points in a win over Campbell

Kuuleinani Ego, Kamehameha II — Scored 17 points in a win over Damien

Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki — Scored 24 points in a win over Roosevelt

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

Kalena Halunajan, Kalani — Scored 17 points in a win over Castle and scored 28 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Lahainaluna

Angela Howell, Radford — Scored 16 points in a win over Aiea

Namahana Kaeo-Young, King Kekaulike — Scored 22 points in a win over Baldwin

Trinidee Kahunahana, Kaiser — Scored 17 points in a loss to Lahainaluna and scored 21 points in a win over Moanalua

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Kalani — Scored 19 points in a win over Castle

Brilie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific — Scored 23 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Jovi Lefotu, Iolani — Scored 16 points in a win over Kaiser

Allison Li, Punahou II — Scored 24 points in a loss to Le JArdin

Joy Luna, Christian Academy — Scored 17 points in a win over La Pietra

Malie Marfil, Kamehameha — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Maryknoll

Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts — Scored 10 points with 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals in a win over Kalani and scored 15 points with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Kaiser

Shelby McDaniel, Kalani — Scored 11 points with 10 rebounds, five steals, two blocks and an assist in a loss to Sacred Hearts

Sadie Muhammad, Kealakehe — Scored 16 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Leiah Naeata, Kahuku — Scored 18 points in a win over Castle

Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna — Scored 24 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kaiser and scored 23 points in a win over Kalani

Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha — Scored 23 points, including 11-of-12 shooting on free throws, in a loss to Punahou

Dominique Pacheco, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kealakehe

Raven Rosa-Lasco, Moanalua — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kaiser

Dahlis Sablay, Mililani — Scored 16 points in a win over Waianae

Ilana Sagapolutele, Damien — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kamehameha II

Lishae Scanlan, Hanalani — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou II and scored 19 points in a win over University Lab

Sydnie Sambueno, La Pietra — Scored 19 points in a loss to Christian Academy

Risa Sanchez, Kamehameha II — Scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Damien

Jalen Tanuvasa, Maryknoll — Scored 28 points in a loss to Kamehameha and scored 22 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Maddie Venezia, Le Jardin — Scored 18 points in a win over Punahou II

Taioalo Wolf, Lahainaluna — Scored 21 points in a win over Kalani

Dionna Woodson, Moanalua — Scored 23 points in a loss to Kaiser

Taylor Wu, Iolani — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Kaiser and scored 17 points in a loss to Clovis West

BOYS SOCCER
Jesus Alvarez, Lahainaluna — Scored two goals in a win over Maui

Jerrie Charles, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Jonathan Demotta, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Keaau

Kane Enomoto, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Kyler Halvorsen, Kaiser — Scored four goals in a win over Kaimuki and scored two goals in a win over Castle

Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin

Brison Kim, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington and scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Thomas King, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua

Ryugen Kobayashi, Mid-Pacific — Scored the lone goal in a win over PAC-5

Jacob Moore, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Iolani

Kai Noeau, Kahuku — Scored the lone goal in a win over Farrington

Riley Patterson, Hilo — Scored six goals in a win over Keaau

Logan Waltjen, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Kau and scored three goals in a win over Keaau

Sam Wren, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Aiea

GIRLS SOCCER
Kaila Ambrosio, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Keaau

Cassidie Andrews, Campbell — Scored three goals in a win over Radford

Miya Clarke, Hilo — Scored three goals in a win over Keaau

Thalia De Lima, Damien — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin

Roycie Faye, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Keaau

Amber Godefroy, Damien — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin

Kaitlin Hirasa, Mililani — Scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli

Harley Au Hoon, Waianae — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli

Hokulei Ishikawa, Campbell — Scored five goals in a win over Radford

D'awncey Jones, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over Sacred Hearts

Kaycee Manding, Waipahu — Scored three goals in a win over Radford

Alexandra Masca, Iolani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Punahou

Maya Miura, Roosevelt — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Kiana Over, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored four goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Sheyliene Patolo, Aiea — Scored two goals in a win over Kapolei

Sheylyn Ranis, King Kekaulike — Scored the lone goal in a win over Baldwin

Sophia Saiki, Mid-Pacific — Scored three goals in a win over Le Jardin

Kelci Sumida, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a win over McKinley

Amber Tadeo-Gilbert, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Sheree Tam, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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