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Mich's magical HS sports moments of the decade, part 2




The trip down memory lane continues as I wrap up this two-part blog on some of the best magical sports moments of the past decade.

Part one featured moments from 2016-2019 while part two has games from 2010-2015.

» Mich's magical HS sports moments of the decade, part 1


Feb. 19, 2015
Farrington rumbles by Kahuku for second straight OIA crown, 48-44

In my opinion, the 2015 Boys Basketball season was the best season of the decade because everybody could beat everybody. This was also the year that no seeded teams advanced out of the D1 quarterfinal round in the state tournament. Farrington was one of the teams that was a surprise this year. The Governors stunned eventual state champion Kalaheo on an overtime buzzer-beater in the OIA semifinals and neutralized the Red Raiders' size in the league title game with a superb game plan by coach Allan Silva. Jake Smith, a streaky shooter, caught fire for 25 points, which included the go-ahead triple with 40 seconds left in regulation. The Governors did have three transfers from ILH schools this season, but it's worth noting that majority of the players on the squad played together in outside leagues. Kahuku sophomores Samuta Avea and Keanu Akina also dazzled in the second half to give the championship game some star power.

Jan. 14, 2015
No. 2 Punahou stuns No. 5 Saint Louis with late rally, 59-58

Kalai Santos became a legend this night. The game ended on a 67-foot prayer at the buzzer, which is the lede of the story, but it's worth pointing out the stakes heading into the matchup. Saint Louis was enjoying its best season in quite some time and joined Punahou as the top two teams in the ILH D1 standings. The Crusaders were poised for a win to move into first place until Santos' heroics — and I think if they came away with the win, Saint Louis is in the state tournament at the end of the year. Still, Santos would not be in a position to play hero at the end if the Buffanblu didn't work as a team to rally from a 13-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Outside of the implications in the league, this game and Santos' shot drew national attention because the two schools involved were the alma maters of the current president (Barack Obama) and the current Heisman trophy winner (Marcus Mariota). Wow, how times have changed (insert emoji of your choice).

Oct. 31, 2014
Nanakuli slips past Pearl City, 37-36, for OIA Division II title

Everything just went right for Nanakuli in this game. The Golden Hawks went down 9-0 to start the game, but somehow managed to make it a 15-13 game at the half thanks to a Hail Mary throw on the final play of the second quarter on a drive where Nanakuli converted on fourth down twice. Pearl City started to pull ahead in the third quarter, but the Golden Hawks came right back on the ensuing kickoff with a 95-yard return by Luke Lana-Luuloa. Keep in mind that this was a Pearl City squad that had current professional quarterback Jordan Taamu, so to see Nanakuli somehow come from behind and win it on a missed PAT in overtime was spectacular.

Sept. 20, 2014
Unranked Kaiser shocks No. 3 Kahuku, 20-19

Shocker may be an understatement. Kaiser was the reigning Division II state champion and proved it can hang with the big boys when it stunned Kahuku, a perennial Division I contender. Still, I think it's worth pointing out that a lot of things had to go the Cougars' way in order to pull off this upset. The Red Raiders turned the ball over seven times — with the final turnover setting up Kaiser's go-ahead drive with 1:59 remaining in regulation. Kahuku also came out flat to start the game due to bus issues pushing kickoff back an hour. Still, I don't want to take anything away from Kaiser put up 462 yards of total offense, with Kauai-transfer Kalawaia Judd throwing for 321 yards on just 10 completions — four of which went to Destin Moss for 177 yards and a 99-yard touchdown. Running back Jensen McDaniel also was solid with 100 yards rushing and two receptions for 93 yards, most of which came on an 88-yard TD.

May 9, 2014
KS-Hawaii advances to title game with five-set stunner over Moanalua

This is by far the most legendary boys volleyball performance that I got to witness with Evan Enriques going off for 40 kills. Moanalua was loaded with talent across the board this season and was primed to end the match with a 2-1 set lead and a 20-14 advantage in the fourth frame. Enriques had other ideas obviously. The Warriors went on to force a fifth set with a 25-23 win in fourth set and then came away with the win with a 16-14 showing in the deciding set.

Feb. 8, 2014
Hilo stuns No. 3 Roosevelt, 62-61, advances to semifinals

This was the year that the HHSAA tried out a regional format for the girls basketball state tournament, which I actually enjoyed. I think most people were stunned when Mililani defeated Konawaena on the road this night, but I would say the Hilo-Roosevelt matchup was a back-and-forth affair that went down to the wire. Chailey Cabalis, who was dealing with flu-like symptoms before the game, led the Vikings in the victory with 18 points, nine rebounds and six steals. Sharlei Graham-Bernisto was also spectacular with 13 points on four treys. The Vikings also got the win over a really solid Roosevelt squad, who had its first loss of the season since Nov. 16, 2013.

Nov. 16, 2013
Red Raiders upset Iolani, 28-7, advance to title game

The score favors Kauai in commanding fashion, but the whole time watching this game I just kept thinking that Iolani was going to come back somehow, which is a testament to the program that the Raiders have built. Still, sports is always fun when the champ goes down and the Red Raiders did just that, running the ball down Iolani at will for 333 rushing yards. Defensively Kauai collected six turnovers with Pono Bukoski leading the effort with an interception and two fumble recoveries. Seeing Kauai do well this season also was cool for me because I got a chance to interview first-year head coach Tommy John Cox on Kauai in the summer thanks to a work trip for another job. Cox definitely has a good relationship with his players and it was just hilarious after the Iolani win when a lot of them went to video bomb our interview with him. 

Aug. 31, 2012
No. 8 Campbell withstands late Waipahu rally, 39-34

For those that don't know, I am a Waipahu graduate. One of the football rivalries that I always I heard about was the Cane Knife Classic. The first Cane Knife game that I got to watch however was a 68-0 rout in Campbell's favor, so I really enjoyed the back-and-forth affair between the two squads in 2012. Defensive end Amate Savusa was definitely the hero of the game with two fumble returns for touchdowns and a fourth-down sack with 13 seconds left to seal the game for the Sabers. Quarterback Justin Tago-Sue was also spectacular with four passing touchdowns and a scrambling ability that kept plays alive and helped him rush for a game-high 79 yards. The Sabers' victory also overshadowed an incredible game by Waipahu's Dylan Pakau, who caught three passes for 90 yards and a TD, threw a 65-yard TD pass and scored on a 32-yard punt return in a game that had five lead changes.

Nov. 11, 2011
Baldwin rallies to stun Farrington, 28-24

I wasn't involved with ScoringLive in 2011, so I picked a game that I saw on TV. This game is better known as the Keelan Ewaliko game. Ewaliko, who went out to play for the Rainbow Warriors, accounted for all four Baldwin touchdowns — which included the game-winning run down the left sideline from 33 yards out. The contest was also a duel for the ages between Ewaliko and Farrington's superb running back Tyler Taumua, who ran for 157 yards and four scores against the Bears. This Governors' team was no slouch either, who was ranked No. 1 in the power rankings for five straight weeks before falling to Kahuku in the OIA championship game. Still, the magic of Ewaliko before a crowd of 3,000 people at War Memorial Stadium provided one of the greatest games of the decade.

Sept. 25, 2010
Moananu rallies Waipahu past Kalaheo, 31-20

This game has a sentimental feeling for me because I was still in high school when I attended this game. Another nugget about me, I was the band's drum major during my senior year. Anyways, this particular day was a marathon because not only did our band played at this football game, but we also did the Aloha Weeks Parade the same day. Seeing the Marauders rally from a 20-10 halftime deficit was just the capstone of a very spectacular day. Behind Victor Moananu, Waipahu just got first down after first down in the second half and just kept marching down the field. Outside of that, 2010 was also the first season that ScoringLive became a big thing. To this day, I am grateful to God to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it and see it grow.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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