Top Performers
Graham stepping up as Crusaders' QB1; Roberts-Navarro off to hot start for Raiders




Kekahi Graham

Saint Louis football  •   #13    

After biding his time the past few years, Kekahi Graham is making sure to seize this opportunity. 

The senior quarterback led No. 5 Saint Louis to a convincing 49-14 win over No. 11 Kamehameha with a dominant performance of his own. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Graham threw for a career-best 301 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-25 passing without an interception.

"He's got all the tools," Crusaders coach Ron Lee said of the lefty signal-caller who played his junior season at Timpview High in Provo, Utah but transferred back to Kalaepohaku this year. 

"He's smart and he knows our system. It's not easy to go 21 for 25, that's pretty tough to do. He did miss some reads, but overall I thought he did really well," Lee added.

Graham's four TD passes were to as many different receivers. His 45-yard scoring strike to Chyler DeSilva came on the Crusaders' very first play from scrimmage. The touchdown pass was telling in many ways for Lee, whose offense returns zero starters from a season ago. 

"The kids are beginning to understand our schemes and what we do versus different coverages," Lee said. "It's not just the quarterback that goes into the execution of that play, so it not so much set the tone (for the game), but it just really showed that the kids are understanding why (Graham) threw to the backside and again, 21 for 25, it's not just being accurate, it's knowing where the receivers are gonna be and when to throw the ball and hopefully we keep getting better, but I'll take 21 out of 25 any time."

Saint Louis evened its overall record to 2-2 after a non-league schedule that included a 28-7 loss at Mililani to open the season and a 56-14 defeat at the hands of nationally-ranked Bishop Gorman a week and a half ago. More importantly, however, the Crusaders opened up Interscholastic League of Honolulu play on the right foot – thanks in part to Graham's left arm. 

"I think Kahi always had the ability to throw it. Since the ninth grade he's been to so many different camps and combines and he's always the top quarterback of the camp," Lee said. 

Graham's sophomore year at Saint Louis was wiped out when the 2020 season was canceled. He played the 2021 season as a backup at Timpview, where he threw for 592 yards and three touchdowns in limited action over eight games. 

In the season opener against the Trojans back on Aug. 5, Graham split time with junior Kaunaoa "Oa" Kamakawiwoole.

"We gave them both equal time in the preseason and we were gonna make the decision before the Gorman game, but because Oa hurt his shoulder so Kahi took most of the reps and so far he's doing a great job. Every summer he's been the quarterback of every camp that he goes to, but he hasn't played, but now he's getting his chance and he's stepping up. He's a heck of a quarterback, but this is really his first year so what he's done so far, I'm very pleased with because, like I said, it's his first season and he's improved every week, but I want to see what he does the rest of the way."

The Crusaders racked up 479 yards of total offense against the Warriors. Seven different players caught at least one pass in the win. 

"We lost everybody and we've got all new guys that are getting on the same page now. We're starting to get a little better. Receivers are getting to their areas faster, which allows the ball to come out quicker. We're blocking better, we're getting that snap back (after) we were about as bad as we could be, but every week we've been getting a little better and all of that helps the QBs too, to get everybody on the same wavelength," Lee explained. 

Graham, who also plays soccer, has yet to receive a scholarship offer, said Lee, who is hopeful that will change in the near future. 

"He's being watched by a lot of schools, but his problem is he didn't play in a lot of games, but he spends a lot of time working out, throwing, lifting and running and everything that he's done at these camps, I think he's starting to show that now. He's really dedicated, he's an excellent student, he wants to excel in football and he takes his work really seriously. He's definitely going to help some program at the next level," Lee said. 

Lee expressed his appreciation for Graham's unflappable disposition. 

"It's tough, you know, everybody is really demanding on him as the quarterback, but he handles it well. He's got a great temperament and he listens and he just enjoys working on his trade; He puts in a lot of time," Lee said. 

Graham and the Crusaders will return to the gridiron Saturday night, when they take on No. 2 Punahou at 7 p.m. at Farrington's Edward ‘Skippa' Diaz Stadium.

 

FOOTBALL

Leonard Ah You, Kahuku — Made three tackles for loss, including two sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in a win over Campbell 

Keoki Alani, Konawaena — Threw for 302 yards and seven touchdowns on 18-of-23 passing with one interception in a win over Keaau 

Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Konawaena — Caught six passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 25-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over Keaau 

Waika Crawford, Kahuku — Threw for 200 yards on 19-of-27 passing in a win over Campbell 

Piercen Evans, Maui — Ran 24 times for 138 yards in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Javan Feary, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Honokaa

Akoni Halemano, Waianae — Had 152 all-purpose yards, caught a touchdown pass and registered four tackles in a loss to Mililani 

Michael Hayslett, Radford — Ran 19 times for 144 yards and caught four passes for 110 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown, in a loss to Roosevelt

Nakoa Hing, Konawaena — Ran eight times for 111 yards and a touchdown in a win over Keaau 

Kamuela Kaaihue, Roosevelt — Caught six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown and also had a sack in a win over Radford

Tayden-Evan Kaawa, Moanalua — Threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-35 passing with one interception in a win over Leilehua 

John Kalililaau-Balisco, Lahainaluna — Scored on a 29-yard fumble return in a win over Baldwin 

Kaeo Kawaakoa, Iolani — Ran for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in a win over Saint Louis II 

Kayman Lewis, Roosevelt — Threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-31 passing with one interception in a win over Radford 

JJ Manu, Waipahu — Threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-19 passing without an interception and also ran for a touchdown in a win over Farrington

Kini McMillan, Mililani — Threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-17 passing in a win over Waianae 

Bransan Moore, Campbell — Recovered a pair of fumbles in a loss to Kahuku 

Jayden Montgomery-Gaopoa, Roosevelt — Caught five passes for 174 yards and a touchdown in a win over Radford

Ezekiel Olie, Aiea — Threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-35 passing in a win over Kailua 

Sione Pasi, Kahuku — Had two sacks in a win over Campbell 

Jaysen Peters-de Laura, Saint Louis — Had 161 all-purpose yards and caught a touchdown pass in a win over Kamehameha 

Jamal Plunkett, Waianae — Ran for a touchdown and also forced and recovered a fumble in a loss to Mililani 

Chazen Rodillas-Vesido, Waipahu — Caught five passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Farrington 

Roo Satta-Ellis, Konawaena — Caught two touchdown passes and also intercepted a pass in a win over Keaau 

Eric Stephens, Moanalua — Caught eight passes for 140 yards in a win over Leilehua 

Romeo Tagata, Waipahu — Made nine tackles, including 4 1/2 for losses, with two sacks and also forced a fumble in a win over Farrington 

Elias Tania, Mililani — Made four tackles, forced a fumble and scored on a 55-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Waianae 

Isahc Ulanday, Waimea — Made 11 1/2 tackles in a win over Kapaa

Geronimo Ulgaran, Aiea — Caught five passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kailua 

Kalob Victorino-Avilla, Radford — Threw for 309 yards and two touchdown on 23-of-40 passing without an interception and also ran for a touchdown in a loss to Roosevelt 




Senna Roberts-Navarro

Iolani volleyball  •   #18  OH/OPP  Senior

It's been a sensational start to the ILH girls volleyball season for Iolani's Senna Roberts-Navarro. 

Through the Raiders' first three matches of the league schedule, the senior outside hitter has accumulated 63 kills, or a lofty 5.72 kills per set. Roberts-Navarro put down 20 kills in a four-set loss to Punahou last Tuesday. She matched that effort in a four-set win over Kamehameha Thursday and then posted 63 kills in a sweep of Punahou Tuesday night. 

"It's pretty tremendous," Iolani coach Kainoa Obrey said. "I wouldn't say it's unexpected (because) we thought she could do these things. We thought she could average 20 kills a match and she's hitting at a high clip – over .330 (attack percentage) – so I mean, she's not only scoring for us, but she's really efficient and beyond that, she's proven that we can lean on her and we can count on her to score those big points for us."

The 5-foot-11 Roberts-Navarro has been on the varsity team since her freshman year; She is one of three fourth-year members on the squad in addition to fellow-outside hitter Brooke Naniseni and middle blocker Mari Lawton. Roberts-Navarro's role has certainly evolved with each season. 

"For this team, she's our leader on the court. We lean on her to make big plays for us in big moments and she's proven to do that and be able to handle that. In the past she was more of a role player and she was fine, but each year we've asked her to do a little more and she's given a little more, a little more, a little more and now we're asking her to do a lot as a senior," Obrey said. "Our expectations for our players in our program is to be ready as a senior and handle a big load, which she's doing for us right now."

Roberts-Navarro earned All-ILH honorable mention as a freshman. Her sophomore season was COVID-stricken and limited to a handful of exhibition matches. As a junior last year, however, she earned First Team All-ILH honors in addition to Second Team All-Hawaii distinction. 

"She's a really good all-around volleyball player. She can pass, she can play the backrow, she has a super high volleyball IQ – probably one of the highest I've coached and that says a lot because we've had some pretty good players over the years – she's just solid for us. It's hard to describe, but you gotta come and watch her play and if you understand volleyball, you will definitely appreciate the way she plays the game because she's a volleyball player," Obrey said. 

For the most part, Roberts-Navarro let's her play do the talking for her, her coach pointed out. 

"She's real quiet, steady, seems to be calm all the time, but I do know sometimes on the inside she gets a little excited, but then you see her play and pretty much she can make all these plays that you ask a left side (hitter) to make, so she blends that quiet with loudness when she attacks the ball and she just goes and does her thing and there's a loud ending, so she's special," Obrey described. 

The steady, even-keel disposition that Roberts-Navarro displays has a carryover effect to the rest of her teammates on the court. Obrey elaborated on what the team captain and Seton Hall University-commit brings to the hardwood. 

"I think just the overall leadership and her calm demeanor and she's now being more vocal in the huddles in between each point and that's been a huge, huge help for us. She plays high-level club, high-level beach volleyball, so she's playing a lot of good volleyball and she has a lot of good experiences to pull from and that helps some of our kids who don't have those experiences to settle down and stay in matches, so she brings a lot of comfort to the other kids, that's for sure," Obrey explained. 

In addition to her 63 kills against ILH foes, Roberts-Navarro also has been in on eight total blocks on the year, but it isn't just at the net where she excels. Roberts-Navarro has also tallied 36 digs (3.27 per set), including 11 and another 16 in Iolani's two matches against Punahou, respectively. 

"I think her digging is overlooked. She's not in that typical libero mold, but she can dig with the best of them and she can extend – she has good range – and she makes good reads, so definitely the digging has improved and because she plays a lot of beach volleyball, she can move around and she understands what hitters like to do because her IQ is really high; She's just really steady," Obrey said. 

Roberts-Navarro and the Raiders (2-1) are ranked No. 2 in this week's ScoringLive Power Rankings. They departed from Honolulu Wednesday afternoon for Las Vegas, where they will take part in the Durango Fall Classic over the weekend. Other teams from Hawaii participating in the tournament are No. 1 Punahou, No. 3 Kamehameha, No. 4 Kahuku and No. 7 Kamehameha-Hawaii.

 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Higa Agbayani, Kaiser — Had 32 assists, five aces and a kill in a four-set win over Kailua 

Mila Aiwohi, Farrington — Had 27 assists and one ace in a three-set win over Kaimuki 

Natronai Anana, Baldwin — Had 15 digs, 11 aces and four assists in a four-set win over King Kekaulike 

Brynn Basilio-Chun, Waialua — Had 23 assists, 10 digs, five kills and a solo block in a four-set loss to Mililani and had 31 assists, nine digs and five kills in a four-set loss to Kapolei 

Lauren Brown, Maui Prep — Had nine kills, 11 digs and two aces in a three-set win over Haleakala Waldorf

Charlize Ching, Kamehameha — Had 20 assists, 11 kills, 11 digs, five aces and two block assists in a four-set loss to Iolani 

Haylee DePonte, Moanalua — Had 19 assists and three aces in a three-set win over Roosevelt 

Taylee Evangelista, Waianae — Had 12 kills and an ace in a three-set win over Pearl City 

Tehani Faasuamanu, Waianae — Had 15 assists, one kill and an ace in a three-set win over Pearl City 

Alohi Garcia, Waialua — Had 12 kills, 13 digs, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set loss to Mililani and had nine kills, 12 digs, two solo blocks and an ace in a four-set loss to Kapolei 

Kamaluhia Garcia, Moanalua — Had 12 kills, one solo block and a block assist in a three-set win over Roosevelt 

Maya Imoto-Eakin, Iolani — Had 48 assists, 10 digs, two aces and a block solo in a four-set win over Kamehameha 

Kawena Kapu, Castle — Had 14 digs, one ace and an assist in a three-set loss to Kalani 

Amber Makainai, Kailua — Had 25 assist, one kill and an ace in a four-set loss to Kaiser 

Macy Matsushima, Kaiser — Had 18 digs, two aces and an assist in a four-set win over Kailua 

Tehya Militante, Waialua — Had 15 digs, four kills, two aces and an assist in a four-set loss to Kapolei 

Amanda Naipo, Baldwin — Had 11 kills, 15 digs and an ace in a four-set win over King Kekaulike 

Ariana Naipo, Baldwin — Had 17 kills, nine digs and three aces in a four-set win over King Kekaulike 

Brooke Naniseni, Iolani — Had 18 kills and five digs in a four-set win over Kamehameha 

Tessa Onaga, Iolani — Had 15 digs, four assists and an ace in a four-set win over Kamehameha 

Lilinoe Paschoal, Baldwin — Had 31 assists, eight digs, three kills and two aces in a four-set win over King Kekaulike 

Marley Roe, Kamehameha — Had 23 assists, 11 kills, five digs, two aces and two block assists in a four-set loss to Iolani 

Kahlan Soon, Waipahu — Had 18 assists, four aces and three kills in a three-set win over Aiea 

Valo Sopoaga, Kaiser — Had 10 kills, three digs, three aces, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set win over Kailua 

Aleejah Sunia, Farrington — Had 10 kills, three aces and a block assist in a three-set win over Kaimuki 

Abelyn Toliai, Farrington — Had 11 kills and an assist in a three-set win over Kaimuki 

Alexandra Var, Aiea — Had 13 digs and an ace in a three-set loss to Waipahu 

Jorja Williams, Farrington — Had 15 kills and three aces in a three-set win over Kaimuki 



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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