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Trey Lieb

Mililani basketball  •   #2  G  Senior

In the case of the Mililani boys basketball team, Trey Lieb is the straw that stirs the drink. 

The senior guard is not only the team's leading scorer, but is its most experienced — he has been a starter since he was a freshman — and most certainly its singular leader. 

"They know he's the leader," Trojans coach Garrett Gabriel said. 

"He's been there since he was a freshman and that's the way they look up to him and that's without me saying it; if you ask anybody — it'll be thirteen out of thirteen — so they know, not only I mention it, but it's because of trust all these years," Gabriel said. "I know what he's going to do in big moments and he'll probably be the guy taking the last shot because I think he's earned that through the years." 

There hasn't been any need for any late-game heroics so far this season as Gabriel's squad has posted one rout after another en route to its 8-0 record and first-place standing atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division. 

Mililani's average margin of victory is more than 36 points per game, while its closest game was a 48-33 win over Nanakuli back on Jan. 14, which also marked its lowing scoring output in league play. 

The Trojans eclipsed the 70-point mark in both of their games last week: a 73-31 win over Waianae on Wednesday and a 74-32 blowout of previously-unbeaten Radford Friday night. 

Gabriel said the matchup with the Rams was his team's first big test in the West. 

"It was one of those things where we were gonna see how good we really are, or how good they really are. They still had to play us and (second-place) Leilehua, so we didn't really know too much other than we needed to be ready," he said. "I tell them that on any given night, anybody can beat anybody and I think that's what these guys understand, that we can't take anybody lightly because we're beatable, but if we play the right way and do the right things, it'll give us the best chance to win."

And that typically translates to a heavy dose of Lieb. The 6-foot shooting guard is averaging a team-best 15.1 points per game, which is tops in the West and second in the OIA. 

"He's one of those guys that will do anything to get the team the W, really. There's been days that he doesn't get as much looks as he'd like, but really for him he keeps telling me that it doesn't matter and as long as we win that's the main objective and he's been that way since he was a freshman, but now his skill level has improved and now he's arguably the best player in the OIA, definitely in the West," Gabriel said. 

But Lieb's value to the Trojans goes far beyond his statistics, as Gabriel notes. 

"Without him we'd obviously be very different. He brings so much to the table in terms of being the captain and the leader, but this year we're fortunate that we got depth … but just his presence — he's first to the gym — I mean, everything he does exemplifies what you want in your best player, so I've been fortunate to have him for four years," he said. 

Lieb opened the season with a 19-point performance in a 69-35 win over Leilehua on Jan. 6. He tallied five 3-pointers and 17 points in a 75-30 victory over Waipahu two weeks ago. 

"You're better with him on the court. When he gets hot he can put together some big numbers and he hasn't been playing a lot the past three games so I think he'll play more in playoff games, bigger games and the more he plays the more opportunities he'll have to score," Gabriel said. 

Despite not "playing a lot," Lieb averaged 18.5 points in Mililani's two games last week. He tallied 14 points against the Seariders and followed that up two nights later with a season-high 23 points against the Rams. Lieb drained five 3-pointers against Radford, just as he did Tuesday in a 69-17 win over Pearl City, when he finished with 21 points. 

Beyond his offensive numbers, however, Lieb is also a key defender on the other end of the floor. 

"I think his defense gets overlooked. Our captains are gonna guard the other people's best players because I trust them and he's gotten a lot better since his freshman year — way better. He understands the need to be not just an offensive player, but a two-way player."

In addition to his near-half-dozen treys, Lieb also recorded four steals, three assists and a rebound against Radford. For as good of a basketball player that Lieb is, it falls short to his character, Gabriel noted. 

"He's grown and matured into a hell of a young man and to be honest with you, he's better off the court as a person than he is on the court," Gabriel said. "He cares about his teammates and school and he's the kind of kid you'd want as a player on your team."

Mililani is already assured a first-round bye in the upcoming OIA tournament as one of the top two finishers in the West, but can secure the No. 1 seed with a win over Aiea Friday. 

"That's what we're aiming for. That's what we talked about, the previous two seasons being 9-1, we talked about how we wanted to be undefeated and the number one seed and see what happens from there," said Gabriel, whose team has lost its opening game of the OIA tournament in each of the past two seasons. 

"We're excited to be in the position we're in. We're excited to have fans back to watch boys high school basketball and we're looking forward to the playoffs," he added. "We're just excited to be playing for the kids being that we lost last year."

Lieb and the Trojans will close out the regular season against Kapolei next Thursday. 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Joshua Alamodin, Aiea — Scored 18 points in a win over Pearl City 

Kaiko Alana, Le Jardin — Scored 16 points in a win over Hanalani

Aiva Arquette, Saint Louis — Scored 10 points with seven rebounds, four steals and two assists in a win over Damien and scored 19 points in a win over Iolani

Koenig Biegel, Maui Prep — Scored 19 points with four steals and three rebounds in a win over Haleakala Waldorf

Kahiau Bruhn, Kamehameha — Scored 23 points with eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a win over Maryknoll and scored 19 points in a loss to Mid-Pacific 

Kanaau Castro, Lahainaluna — Scored 21 points in a win over Maui

O'Shen Cazimero, Kohala — Scored 16 points with five steals, two rebounds and one assist in a win over Kealakehe

Willie Cooper, Leilehua — Scored 16 points in a win over Waialua

Logan Dias, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals in a loss to Kamehameha

Dylan Falk, Maui Prep — Scored 22 points with five steals, three rebounds and two assists in a win over Haleakala Waldorf

Jimmy Falk, Maui Prep — Scored 20 points with 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals in a win over Haleakala Waldorf

Noah Flores Alexander, Lahainaluna — Scored 17 points in a win over Maui

Tyler Grover, Radford — Scored 24 points in a win over Aiea

Seth Harman, Kaiser — Scored 26 points in a loss to Kalani 

Dragon Kekahuna, Nanakuli — Scored 16 points in a loss to Campbell 

Kai Kimhan, Le Jardin — Scored 18 points in a win over Hanalani

Koa LaBoy, University Lab — Scored 17 points in a win over Saint Louis II 

Giovanni Loia, Punahou II — Scored 16 points in a win over Kamehameha II

JJ Mandaquit, Iolani — Scored 25 points in a win over Punahou

Mikey Manera, Kauai — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kapaa

Renzy Manuel, Lanai — Scored 16 points in a win over Hana

Stratton McClure, Hanai — Scored 20 points in a loss to Lanai 

Kalei Midel, Pahoa — Scored 21 points in a win over Keaau 

Duke Mobley, University Lab — Scored 19 points in a win over Maryknoll II 

Travis Morton, Moanalua — Scored 17 points in a win over Castle

Malcolm Nichols, Leilehua — Scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu 

Jonny Philbrick, Kailua — Scored 20 points in a win over Kaimuki

Mikey Questin, Kapaa — Scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Kauai 

Sean Sardon, Campbell — Scored 16 points in a win over Nanakuli 

Ehu Schenk-Lee, Kalaheo — Scored 28 points with one rebound and a steal in a loss to Kahuku 

Kale Spencer, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 22 points in a win over Kekaulike

Jadaiah Taugasolo, Campbell — Scored 20 points in a win over Nanakuli and scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu

Khaiya Tung, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to University Lab 

Drew Triplett, Maui Prep — Scored 43 points with 12 assists, seven rebounds and six steals in a win over Haleakala Waldorf and scored 30 points with 11 rebounds, nine assists and seven steals in a win over Haleakala Waldorf

Maddux Vilardi, Castle — Scored 20 points in a loss to Moanalua 

Amari Westmoreland-Vendiola, Kahuku — Scored 32 points with nine rebounds, one steal, one block and an assist in a win over Kalaheo

BOYS SOCCER

Winston Abreu, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua 

Luke Fujioka-Silva, McKinley — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington 

Ten Kurokawa, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley

Keaton Hicks, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kai Martin, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Campbell 

Seamas Mercado, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt 

Aukele Paikuli-Campbell, Makua Lani — Scored three goals in a win over Christian Liberty

Kawaihua Paikuli-Campbell, Makua Lani — Scored three goals in a win over Christian Liberty 

Brody Person, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Castle

Sawyer Rogoff, Island School — Scored two goals in a win over Kauai 

Timothy Scott, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Lucian Tajima-Artley, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over Damien 

Raiden Takasato, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Moanalua 

John Logan Williams, Nanakuli — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Lauren Hayashi

Mid-Pacific basketball  •   #22  F  Senior

Lauren Hayashi does a lot of things for the Mid-Pacific girls basketball team, both on and off the court. 

Hayashi, a 5-foot-6 senior forward for the Owls, has been on the varsity squad since her freshman year and is the lone returning starter from the 2019 team that captured a league championship and reached the Division II state title game. 

"Lauren has taken on a significantly bigger role each year in the program," said Mid-Pacific coach Reid Sagawa. "She's been there for four years, she's gone through three coaches in four years, so she's super resilient."

Through her team's first 10 games of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season, Hayashi is averaging a team-best 10.9 points per game. This, despite her being a selective shooter, Sagawa noted. 

"The thing about Lauren is she does a really good job of hunting her shots. Meaning that when her teammates have the ball, she's always putting herself in position on the catch to either attack the basket or to already step into her shot, so she does a really good job of reading the defense," he explained. "When the ball comes to her, she already has a good idea of what she's looking for on her reads."

Hayashi has recorded double-digit scoring efforts in her last five games, including a solid three-game stretch last week that included a season-high 17 points in a 57-43 win over University Lab Thursday. She hit a pair of 3-pointers in the win, as she did two nights prior, in a down-to-the-wire 52-50 win over Sacred Hearts. Hayashi came up just shy of a double-double against the Lancers with 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist and a steal. 

"Because we have a small team that inside presence she gives us — even at 5-6 — is important for us," Sagawa said. 

Hayashi has attempted 51 free throws on the season and has shot 66.7 percent from the line. 

"She's extremely strong and she attacks the rim hard off the dribble so she does a great job of getting to the line and besides that she's a good shooter. She leads us in free throw percentage and leads our team in 3-point shooting as well," Sagawa added. 

He also pointed out the cohesiveness with Hayashi and fellow-post Dorthea "Dodo" Yoakum. 

"They have good chemistry on their high-low game, which has definitely helped our game as well," Sagawa said. "Her and Dorthea are very instrumental in terms of trying to find ways to help our guards set screens so they can track the basket. Lauren and Dodo also do a good job of trying to get paint touches for us and then trying to kick it out when doubled, as well as looking for each other on the high-low."

Hayashi is one of six seniors on the team and one of two captains, along with guard Kenzie Lee. 

"Because she leads by example, they're gonna follow her and she doesn't ask of her teammates what she doesn't do herself," Sagawa said. 

But Hayashi's leadership doesn't end on the hardwood. She has organized much of the team's bonding activities, as well as pick-up games at the park and beach workouts in the offseason. 

"She's been doing that over the past couple of years, especially during COVID and that's how determined she is for the team to succeed," Sagawa said. 

He called Hayashi's leadership her "strongest attribute."

"I think what she brings to the table is off the court, not necessarily her basketball skills but by far she has excellent leadership skills, superior leadership skills. She motivates her teammates, leads by example, never gives up, is an excellent communicator with the coaches, super mature in terms of having the ability to step back, analyze situations and trying to come up with positive solutions," he described. 

Sagawa added that whether it's on the court or in the classroom, Hayashi tackles each task with the same focus and will to succeed.

"Lauren is just so steady. She's fiercely determined. I would say both on the court, as well as off the court she just does everything with 100 percent effort and passion and she's all-in in everything that she does. I kind of joke with her that ‘if you get in the way of Lauren's goals and aspirations, she'll plow right over you,' " Sagawa laughed. "On and off the court, she's just a go-getter."

Hayashi pushed through for a team-high 14 points in a 41-26 loss to Damien Saturday. 

"I think Lauren would be the first to tell you that her success is also because of her teammates as well," Sagawa interjected. 

He specifically mentioned Hayashi's classmates: Kalena Thurston, Amara Ueligitone, Keiki Puaa, Jacie Nava and Lee. 

"They have a close senior class … I think Lauren just epitomizes what we want in our program: girls who are tough, resilient, willing to run through a wall for their teammates, finds ways to get better and just takes action," Sagawa stated. 

Over Hayashi's four years with the Owls, her role on the team has expanded with each season. She came off the bench as a freshman, but was a starter as a sophomore two years ago. 

"We had a lot of veteran leadership and a lot of four-year starters on that team who won a state championship early on, so at that point Lauren was able to play her game and contribute in any way she could to the team success. Fast-forward two years later — without a season last year — and she's our senior leadership," Sagawa said. 

The position of leadership is one that Hayashi has taken well to, or rather, always been comfortable with, as her coach points out. 

"It's something she naturally embraces. In the classroom she excels as well. She holds herself to high standards academically — she's a student council leader, she's taking the (International Baccalaureate) program so it's real rigorous and demanding — (but) Lauren is the kind of person who is very goal-oriented," Sagawa said. 

Hayashi, who also plays water polo for Mid-Pac, has worked diligently over the years — well before her prep days — to improve her craft. 

"She's spent countless hours playing club with 808 (Basketball Club) with coach Hinano (Higa) and Bobby (Keanini)," Sagawa said. "Lauren is a good example of how she's kind of reaping the rewards her senior year from putting in the grind over the years."

Mid-Pacific wraps up the ILH regular season with three games in four days this week. 

Hayashi and the Owls (5-5) will visit Hanalani Wednesday, before hosting Hawaii Baptist Friday and Iolani II Saturday. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Theresa Anakalea, Damien — Scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Hanalani, scored 23 points in a win over Sacred Hearts and scored 15 points in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Nina Batacan, La Pietra — Scored 24 points in a win over Island Pacific and scored 18 points in a win over St. Andrew's

Myah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 15 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Tavina Harris, Lahainaluna — Scored 15 points in a win over Maui 

Chera-Lei Hiers, Hanalani — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou II 

Veniza Jackson, Lanai — Scored 25 points in a win over Hana

Ellana Klemp, Hanalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Lilly Koki, Maryknoll — Scored 25 points in a win over Kamehameha

Jahlyxcs Liana, Nanakuli — Scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Pearl City 

Shailoh Liilii, Moanalua — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kaiser

Alexus Maae, Kaiser — Scored 23 points with 11 rebounds, four steals and a block in a win over Roosevelt

Olivia Malafu, Kapaa — Scored 16 points in a loss to Waimea and scored 14 points in a loss to Kauai 

Faith Mersburgh, Hanalani — Scored 15 points in a loss to Damien

Ayana Meyer, Hilo — Scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Daija Mitchell, Island Pacific — Scored 18 points in a loss to La Pietra

Hema Nakahiki-Young, Kauai — Scored 24 points in a win over Waimea

KalysaMarie Ng, Sacred Hearts — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, with seven rebounds and one steal in a loss to Mid-Pacific 

Rheanna Nobleza, Moanalua — Scored 21 points in a win over Kahuku 

Hailey Ostrander, Lanai — Scored 22 points in a win over Hana 

Ledjan Pahukoa, Lahainaluna — Scored 16 points in a win over Maui 

Alexa Pascual, Lanai — Scored 17 points in a win over Hana 

Olivia Reed, St. Andrew's — Scored 16 points in a loss to Island Pacific 

Laia Ribas, Kailua — Scored 15 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Makelah Richardson, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points with nine rebounds, five blocks and two assists in a loss to Kaiser

Kailana Salazar-Harrell, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Keaau 

Sivanny Seiuli, Lanai — Scored 21 points in a win over Hana

Shastyne Selesele, Damien — Scored 16 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Hazel Serapio, Waimea — Scored 18 points in a win over Kapaa and scored 14 points in a loss to Kauai

Cadence Tagonan, Castle — Scored 15 points in a win over McKinley

Abby Tanaka, Iolani — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Maryknoll 

Shaianne Taosoga, Kahuku — Scored 20 points in a win over Kalani 

Kayla Thornton, Maui — Scored 17 points in a loss to Lahainaluna

Laynee Torres-Kahapea, Punahou — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani

Emi Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Hanalani 

Jovi Wahinekapu Lefotu, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha, scored 21 points in a win over Punahou and scored 20 points in a win over Maryknoll

Talailelagi Wily-Ava, Kahuku — Scored 16 points in a loss to Moanalua 

Kristi Yasukochi, Kalani — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kahuku 

Olivia Yasutake, Keaau — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kau

GIRLS SOCCER

Brooke Bailey, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over PAC-5

Alexis Copp, Radford — Scored two goals in a loss to Leilehua 

Carly Cormack, Punahou — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Damien 

Amber Donnelly, Maui — Scored three goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Aubrey Dunaway, PAC-5 — Scored two goals in a win over Damien 

Adrianna Hernandez, Kauai — Scored two goals in a win over Island School

Emma Higashi, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae

Lily Miguel, Leilehua — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Lina Miranda, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kailua

Kiana Muratsuka, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Alexyz Nakamoto, Leilehua — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua and scored two goals in a win over Radford

Julia Oka, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Kapolei 

Tavena Oliveira, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Campbell

Xevani Salanoa, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Damien

Maia Santa Monica, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Kapolei

Kiara Sugimura, Aiea — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Shayland Teripaia, Nanakuli — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae