ScoringLive photo illustration

Purchase image 1 of 1

Male Athlete of the Week: Tommy Mascaro-Keahi, Kapolei soccer
Despite all of the individual accolades he has collected — and there have been a number of them — Tommy Mascaro-Keahi is focused on one goal: bring a state championship to Kapolei.

The Hurricanes senior is tied for the state lead with 19 goals scored on the season, but it's not those numbers that interest him.

"I think what motivates Tommy this year is although he's accomplished a lot individually, what motivates him is, I think, doing it together. I think what drives him is can this be the first team to bring a state championship to Kapolei," Hurricanes co-coach Ryan Lau said.

Mascaro-Keahi, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound forward and third-year starter, is part of a nucleus of seniors that helped Kapolei go 9-0-1 in the regular season, good enough for a first-place finish in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division.

"This being his senior year, he wants to make sure that the team and himself can give their best foot forward, create a brotherhood and leave it on the field, so when they look back post-graduation, there's no regrets," Lau said.

The Hurricanes have reeled off five consecutive wins by shut out since a scoreless tie against Mililani on Dec. 27. They closed out the regular season with convincing wins over Campbell and Radford last week.

Mascaro-Keahi scored two first-half goals — the first off of a penalty kick — en route to a hat trick in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the then-one-loss Sabers.

"What we wanted more out of Tommy was to penetrate and the first goal he really did that," Lau recalled. "He was really going at them, got the defenders on their heels and forced them to foul and he got the (penalty kick)."

Mascaro-Keahi's second goal was set-up by a ball from Joe Wren via a backdoor pass from Jayden Adkison.

"And he did his job with the penetrating run at the end of it," Lau said.

After halftime, Kawika Kelii slotted home a pair of goals to stretch Kapolei's lead to 5-0, before Mascaro-Keahi closed out the scoring with his third goal of the night.

"I think those three goals were just a product of following the game plan and fulfilling his role of being a little bit more assertive with his attacks and movements behind the defense," Lau said.

On Friday night, Mascaro-Keahi followed that up with another goal in the ‘Canes' 6-0 win over the Rams.

He has certainly been prolific in that regard over the course of his career. Mascaro-Keahi has netted 42 goals in three seasons; he ranked second on the team with eight goals as a sophomore and tied for the team lead with Kelii last season, when the duo netted 15 goals apiece.

"He has a competitive, attacking mindset and he's relentless in the attack, so he's always probing and he really fulfills his role as an attacker. It comes down to creating goal-scoring opportunities and scoring goals. He's always been known for scoring goals in high school and club, but I think the big maturation with him over the last three years is he's really been leading and a lot of his success is a product of him fulfilling his role and his teammates around him," Lau said.

Mascaro-Keahi has seen former teammates Sean Yoshida and Sam Wren earn All-OIA West Player of the Year recognition in his first two seasons and is surely among the candidates to collect the honor this year.

"He's really matured and understanding that his success is a product of the team play and team chemistry. As a sophomore and junior he did his part being an attacker, being a goal scorer, whereas this year he's really embraced the team thing and how we do build chemistry on and off the field," said Lau, who pointed to Mascaro-Keahi's performance in a lopsided win over Leilehua on Jan. 10 as evidence of that.

The 10-0 rout of the Mules was one of just three games that Mascaro-Keahi was held without a goal this season, but he contributed with five assists that night.

"I think what we are emphasizing — and he's leading the charge on — is how can we move forward where we're continually growing, where at the end of the day the team is the star and to get to that, how do we do everything, how we do enjoy the process where we're doing the right things and have the right habits day-in and day-out, because at the end of the day, it's the Kapolei boys soccer team and what we're striving for is for them to play for each other and with passion for the school," Lau said.

Mascaro-Keahi, who is signed with Cal State Northridge, earned First Team All-Hawaii honors last season. Already this season he has netted four games of at least three goals, including five-goal games on back-to-back days in wins over Waialua and Nanakuli to open the year.

"He's a student of the game and he's very personable," Lau said. "He has a lot of charisma. If you find him not talkative, that's not him and that's how we know he's ready for games. He'll come in early, be very talkative, very charismatic and that's why I think he connects well when he works with others."

Kapolei climbed one spot to No. 2 in this week's ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings.

Mascaro-Keahi and the Hurricanes have a first-round bye in the 12-team OIA Division I tournament, which gets underway Monday. They will host winner between East fourth seed Kailua and West fifth seed Waianae in a quarterfinal-round game on Tuesday.

Female Athlete of the Week: Marissa Layosa, Kauai basketball
With her team's back against the wall, Marissa Layosa pushed back last week.

The Kauai High senior averaged 22.5 points in two games last week — both must-wins for the Red Raiders. Layosa, a 5-foot-6 guard/forward, scored 17 points in a 47-33 win over Kapaa Wednesday. She followed that up with a 28-point effort in a 58-46 win at then-No. 10 Waimea Friday night.

"That was a game that if Waimea had won, they would have won the league championship, so that was almost like a playoff game for us," Kauai fifth-year coach James Dingus said.

The Red Raiders' victory over the Menehunes — their second in five tries this season — kept their hopes of qualifying for next month's Division II state tournament alive.

With two games left in the 12-game Kauai Interscholastic Federation regular season, Kauai (7-3) trails first-place Waimea (8-2) by one game. Barring an upset of either by last-place Kapaa (0-10) this week, a Kauai win over Waimea Friday night would league the teams with identical 8-3 records and force a playoff for the league's lone state tournament berth.

"Like we talked about with the players before, we're at the point where every game gets bigger and bigger. It's almost like we're already in a playoff situation, where we win and we get to go on and play another one, so it's going to be a fun last week here on this island with girls high school basketball."

Layosa, who has been a regular starter since her freshman season, helped make the scenario a possibility with her prolific scoring night last Friday. According to the game story in The Garden Isle newspaper, Layosa scored 23 of her points in the first half.

"I think especially in the second quarter she just imposed her will on the game, which is what the really good players do, so her performance was huge, carrying us," Dingus said.

Dingus referenced legendary UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden and his well-known ‘Pyramid of Success.'

"He had a saying as far as competitive greatness, that on the biggest stages, the best players play their best games, and not everybody can do that, but Marissa has shown that she can and I hope she can continue to keep doing that as we move forward over the next few days," Dingus said.

Dingus and Layosa share a relationship that began when the latter was a middle schooler at Chiefess Kamakahelei School, where the former is a social studies teacher.

"I got to teach her in eighth grade and to be able to see her for five years and watch her grow into the person that she is now and how she seems ready to graduate, move on and have success in the next steps, it's just really fun to see," said Dingus, who prior to taking over the varsity team served as JV coach.

Layosa's skills on the court have always been there, but have undergone some refining over the past three-plus years.

"When she was a freshman she was talented enough to have a starting position and she had games where she would score double-digits as a freshman, but over time she has matured, gotten more composed and now this year she is just our senior leader," Dingus said of Layosa, a team co-captain this season. "She's vocal in practice, she's vocal on the bench, she's helping to organize her teammates and it's really been a pleasure to watch."

Dingus describes Layosa as extremely competitive, very strong and a fantastic overall athlete.

"She's put her time in with the strength and conditioning coaches and when you combine that with the aggressive, competitive nature, it's a fantastic combination," Dingus said.

Part of Layosa's game that has continued to develop through this season is her dribble-penetration and ability to finish at the rim.

"I think she's figured out that the strength of her game is attacking the rim. She can shoot and she can hit 3s, but that's kind of like a counter-punch for her. The main part of her game is attacking the rim and she's doing a great job of it," Dingus said.

The Red Raiders captured the KIF championship in both Layosa's freshman and sophomore seasons, which qualified them for the state tournament. They finished sixth in the state both years, but came up short to Waimea last season. Consequently, the Menehunes made a deep run at last February's state tourney, all the way to an appearance in the title game.

That, Dingus says, has played a large role in fueling Layosa's drive this season.

"I think it was a huge motivator for Marissa the way last year played out and it caused some serious reflection, but she was able to make some adjustments and this year is a reflection of some of those adjustments that she made. I think that was a major, major impetus for what's happening now," Dingus said.

Some of the adjustments Layosa made was being open to change.

"I think this year she really came into the year with an open-minded attitude and just with that open-mindedness she was willing to listen and experiment and kind of just tinker with stuff and then her confidence grew and now her confidence is just a mile high," Dingus explained.

After edging the Menehune by a single point, 67-66, the first time the teams met back on Dec. 9, the Red Raiders dropped their next three games against them by an average of 9.3 points. Last Friday's 12-point win, however, gave Kauai its third win in its last four games.

"We've been talking as a team about putting all the pieces together and in that game against Waimea we really did that. We had everybody on the team play their role — we had one player draw two charges, we had Marissa attacking the rim and playing good defense, we had some other girls hitting 3s — and then toward the end of the game Waimea showed their heart and they made a pretty good comeback," Dingus said. "Their girls are pretty skilled and it's really a fun time to see girls basketball on this island because there's so much skill."

Layosa hopes to pursue a career in the health science field and is weighing her college options. Dingus said Layosa has talked to coaches at both Linfield (McMinnville, Oregon) and Pacific University (Forest Grove, Oregon) about continuing her playing career there.

The Red Raiders will visit Bernice Hundley Gymnasium for a game against Kapaa Wednesday night. They will host the Menehunes in Friday night's much-anticipated showdown.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Andre Adams, Lanai — Scored 22 points in a win over Maui Prep

Kaukahi Alameda, Hilo — Scored 18 points in a win over Kau

Kiai Apele, Waiakea — Scored 20 points in a win over Keaau

Alexander Bianco, Saint Louis — Scored 14 points with 12 rebounds and three steals in a loss to Kamehameha

Maka Brede, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 27 points in a win over Island Pacific

Mason Broyles, Waimea — Scored 17 points in a win over Island School

Frank Camacho, McKinley — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Kailua

Ian Canute, Assets — Scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

O'shen Cazimero, Kohala — Scored 21 points in a win over Konawaena and scored 24 points in a win over St. Joseph

Oscar Cheng, Kahuku — Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks in a win over Kaimuki

Harrison Cramond, Maui Prep — Scored 19 points in a loss to Lanai

Ethan Escobido, Hanalani — Scored 18 points in a win over University Lab

Therial Grover, Radford — Scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Pearl City

Barreon Holland, Pahoa — Scored 21 points in a loss to Waiakea and scored 12 points with 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a win over Honokaa

Justin Ishida, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Le Jardin

Landyn Jumawan, Leilehua — Scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Nanankuli

Kamu Kaaihue, Roosevelt — Scored 23 points in a win over Anuenue

Jayden Kipapa, Mililani — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Waianae

Jem Kouch, Farrington — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kaimuki

Trinni Lucas, Kaimuki — Scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in a loss to Kahuku

Zelston Militante, Nanakuli — Scored 18 points in a win over Campbell

Davon Newman, Leilehua — Scored 22 points in a win over Nanakuli

Kordel Ng, Kamehameha — Scored 19 points with seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block in a win over Saint Louis

Nathaniel Okamoto, Aiea — Scored 18 points in a win over Waianae

Darius Olloway, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 20 points in a win over Honokaa

Rayson Padilla, Hilo — Scored 21 points in a win over Kau

Nainoa Peters, Kailua — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kaiser

Wade Pimsaguan, Waimea — Scored 18 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Kauai

Kaimana Preza, Campbell — Scored 19 points in a loss to Nanakuli

Geremy Robinson, Moanalua — Scored 26 points in a win over Castle

Isaac Silva, Saint Louis — Scored 23 points, including three 3-pointers, with three rebounds, three assists and three steals in a loss to Kamehameha

Kanoa Smith, Kalaheo — Scored 17 points in a win over Roosevelt

Ikaika Starkey, Aiea — Scored 18 points in a loss to Radford

Steven Duke Thomas, Le Jardin — Scored 18 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Bobby Thompson, Kalaheo — Scored 18 points in a win over Roosevelt

Christmas Togiai, Kamehameha — Scored 27 points with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in a win over Punahou

Ridge Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in a loss to Hanalani

Drake Watanabe, Roosevelt — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Anuenue and scored 19 points in a loss to Kalaheo

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Aloha Akaka, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Punahou

Theresa Anakalea, Damien — Scored 26 points in a loss to Punahou II and scored 24 points with three rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Sacred Hearts

Angel Asaah, Radford — Scored 16 points in a win over Leilehua

Serina Aumua-Tuisavura, Kahuku — Scored 20 points with three rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over Anuenue

Kylie Bagay, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Leilehua

Nina Batacan, La Pietra — Scored 24 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Tanya Blakeney, Kaiser — Scored 20 points in a win over Kalani

Victoria Canencia, Leilehua — Scored 18 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Mililani

Maya Claytor, Kahuku — Scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, with three assists, two rebounds and one steal in a win over Anuenue

Anela Gonzalez-Tremaine, Keaau — Scored 32 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Kierstin Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 28 points, including three 3-pointers, in a win over Kapaa

Kassey Hanoa, Christian Liberty — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Honokaa

Destiny Hicks, Nanakuli — Scored 16 points in a win over Kapolei

Kelsie Imai, Waiakea — Scored 16 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Mahina Kaleiheana-Erickson, Sacred Hearts — Scored 15 points with 13 rebounds, three steals and a block in a loss to Damien

Elizabeth Kanaulu, Waipahu — Scored 13 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Waialua

Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena — Scored 16 points in a win over Kau and scored 21 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, Iolani — Scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Maryknoll

Arriana Maltezo, Lanai — Scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers, in a loss to Seabury Hall

Jayla Medeiros, Konawaena — Scored 18 points in a win over Kau

Kiana Midel, Hilo — Scored 16 points in a win over Keaau

Serenity Moananu, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Iolani

Keala Montgomery, Lanai — Scored 16 points in a loss to Seabury Hall

Haley Nguyen, McKinley — Scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in a win over Kailua

Dominique Pacheco, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points in a loss to Keaau

Julien Parado, Campbell — Scored 16 points in a win over Aiea

Myla Pellegrini, Iolani II — Scored 18 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist and scored 24 points in a win over Le Jardin

Kianna Ponce, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Leilehua

Lauren Poniatowski, Campbell — Scored 22 points in a win over Aiea

Maya Reed, St. Andrew's — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Paige Relph, Waianae — Scored 19 points in a loss to Radford

Kaliana Salazar-Harrell, Konawaena — Scored 27 points in a win over Kau

Amalya Sales, Kauai — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapaa

Kayla Santos, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 19 points in a win over La Pietra

Kaye Serapio, Waimea — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapaa

Sarah Schubert, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 16 points in a loss to Waiakea

Tia Sofa, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points in a win over Kalaheo

Saige Tabac, Honokaa — Scored 17 points in a win over Christian Liberty

Kaena Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 21 points in a win over Christian Liberty

Jovi Wahinekapu Lefotu, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou

Harlee Wong, Kapolei — Scored 18 points in a loss to Nanakuli

BOYS SOCCER
Braxton Almogela, Waipahu — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea

Jacob Baxter, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli

Alexander Bell, Kealakehe — Scored two goals in a win over Konawaena

Buddy Betts, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Kohala

Kainoa Carvalho, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Jvon Cunningham, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Christian Flemming, Moanalua — Scored three goals in a win over Roosevelt

Dominic Gusman, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Sebastian Horn, Kaiser — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kailua

Cody Ohira, Pearl City — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waianae

Matt Sakamoto, Saint Louis — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha

Daniel Jose Vidal Gayoso, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa

Kainoa Wong, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua

GIRLS SOCCER
Emmerson Aynessazian, Waiakea — Scored two goals in a win over Hawaii Prep

Angela Cipriano, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals and assisted on another in a win over Honokaa

Caroline Gainey, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Hiilani Gaspar-Bright, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani

Kalia Kalua, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Khrystin Kohatsu, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaiser

Jordan Lau, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

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

Kaila Rachlin, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Sacred Hearts

Charis Marie Ramos, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Punahou II

Kamahie Samudio, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Baldwin

Soraya Santos, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Waianae

Teisha-Ray Spinney-Kuahuia, Kealakehe — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa