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Logan Aurio

Kapolei soccer  •   #15    

Logan Aurio is one who certainly does not lack direction, especially not on the soccer pitch. 

The Kapolei striker has gotten off to a hot start this winter, having scored a league-leading five goals scored through his team's first two games of the regular season. 

"He's a straightforward striker that always looks to go to the goal," Hurricanes coach Keoki Haole said of the 6-foot, 150-pound Aurio. "He likes to take people on and he wants to go toward the net all the time, so he's a very direct player. A lot of movement, a lot of runs, so he likes to get behind the defense."

Aurio did just that a number of times in wins over Pearl City and Campbell last week. He accounted for half of Kapolei's goals in last Tuesday's 8-1 win over Pearl City to open the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division schedule. 

Haole recalled how Aurio's first goal – which equalized the score at 1-apiece – brought about a sense of calm after a bit of a hectic start to the match. 

"Logan got the ball in the attacking third, took on two, three people, scored the goal and then from then it was nice and chill, then he did it again to put us up, 2-1, and then everybody's nerves started getting a lot better," Haole said. 

Being that it was the regular-season opener, the ‘Canes had to overcome some nerves and jitters, to be sure. 

"I know the tem was very nervous being the first game and I know Logan broke the edge a little bit with his goals, but he was slicing and dicing in there and doing his thing and it gave the boys more confidence to take their chances and with his goals, they basically calmed down and got into the flow and we worked the ball better and played as a team after that," Haole added. 

In Friday's 2-0 win over the Sabers, Aurio scored one goal – on a direct free kick – and he assisted on the other, which came off of another free kick. 

"The one he scored, he shot it backdoor at a crossing angle so I think the keeper thought it was a cross, but he floated it backdoor," Haole recalled. "The other one he put a cross in a dangerous position. It bounced around and we finished it up. A lot of times he's our deciding factor. We don't have superstar power on our team, but he would be it if I had to pick somebody."

Aurio, however, has anything but a superstar persona, his coach pointed out. 

"I kind of always expected that he would get goals – he likes to put it upon himself – but I don't think he's chasing stats or to be the top scorer, but he does what is required for his team to win and if that's to finish the ball at the back of the net, then that's what he does because ultimately he's a team player," Haole explained. 

That doesn't mean, however, that Aurio will shy away from a goal-scoring opportunity.

"I feel like he's very confident in himself and what he wants to do with the ball: he wants to get goals and that's his main goal and I think that's the main job of the striker," Haole said. "He wants to get goals, he wants to be involved with goals, but he doesn't necessarily care who puts it in the back of the net, but I think a lot of times he wants to be that guy."

Haole added that Aurio's demeanor both on and off the pitch is far from high maintenance. 

"He gets along well with his teammates and overall he's a pretty quiet, easy-going guy. Last year he was a little bit of an introvert and didn't really want to talk and when I would talk he would kind of zone out, but now he's a lot more focused and maturing very well. He's very respectful, respectful of coaching when they have to take criticism," Haole said. 

As a sophomore last year, Aurio was second on the team with 10 goals scored. He was named to the All-OIA West Second Team and picked up Honorable Mention All-Hawaii recognition. 

"Overall, the expectation is to do what he's doing by leading by example and to be the best that he can be. I just want him to achieve the best he can without trying to chase titles or chase stats and just to do the best that he can and learn and grow with his team, that would be the best that he can do," Haole stated. 

Aurio, being quiet by nature, lends his character to his leadership style. 

"I think his leadership is more shown by the way he plays and the confidence that he shows; He kind of brings the team up in that kind of way, where they might start a little frantic, but he would calm them down with his ability," Haole detailed. "He would be the type of leader that leads by example more than by his voice."

Kapolei was unable to hold onto a two-goal lead against fellow-unbeaten Mililani in a 3-2 loss Tuesday night. 

Aurio and the Hurricanes (2-1) continue OIA West play Friday against Waianae. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Alvin Nagasako Sports Complex.

BOYS SOCCER

Tevin Atwal, Waiakea — Scored three goals in a win over Keaau 

Logan Aurio, Kapolei — Scored four goals in a win over Pearl City 

Leo Davies, Kaiser — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalaheo 

Elijah Dinkel, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored four goals in a win over Konawaena 

Lourencio Erhan, McKinley — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington 

Landen Kalani — Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a win over Kaimuki

Lucas Kay-Wong, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored four goals in a win over Konawaena 

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

Kelly Takara, Aiea — Scored four goals in a win over Waialua 

Kahekili Vega, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua 

Ethan Zuniga, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a win over Farrington 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Trotter Apo, Baldwin — Scored 17 points in a loss to Konawaena 

Reimel Camacho, Kapaa — Scored 17 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Levi Dano Agcaoili, Damien — Scored 16 points in a win over Kaimuki 

Noa Donnelly, Kailua — Scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss to Iolani 

Miles Hornage, Campbell — Scored 19 points in a win over Lahainaluna 

Keaka Kauhane, Kapaa — Scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kaiser, scored 17 points in a win over Aiea and scored 24 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Tucker Lam, Punahou — Scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Lahainaluna 

Kaimana Lau Kong, Iolani — Scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a win over Kailua 

Kayman Lewis, Roosevelt — Scored 24 points in a win over Damien 

Zelston Militante, Leilehua — Scored 20 points in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Skylar Miyasato, Moanalua — Scored 18 points in a win over Radford 

Abraham Ogata, Konawaena — Scored 17 points in a win over Baldwin 

Dillon Sevilleja, Damien — Scored 22 points in a win over Kaimuki 

Joshua Schutter, Kalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Iolani II 

Pupu Sepulona, Saint Louis — Scored 17 points in a win over Mililani 

Eli Shibuya, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 18 points in a win over McKinley

Hawkins Souffrant, Radford — Scored 17 points in a win over Honokaa 

Taniela Taliauli, Iolani — Scored 16 points in a win over Kailua 

Jeremiah White, Kaimuki — Scored 28 points in a loss to Damien 

Caden Williams, Radford — Scored 20 points with eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a loss to Moanalua 

Jolie Mantz

Waiakea basketball  •   #1  G  Junior

First-year Waiakea girls basketball coach Shaun Fuiava isn't shy when describing the abilities of junior Jolie Mantz. 

"She can turn a game around," Fuiava said of the 5-foot-6 guard. 

Mantz's play on the hardwood so far this season certainly backs up her coach's claim. Look no further than last week. She kicked it off with a 29-point effort in a rout of Kau last Monday to help the Warriors improve to 3-0 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation. 

Mantz then brought her talents to Oahu for the I Mua Invitational over the weekend. Waiakea dropped its first two games – 57-53 to tournament-host Kamehameha Thursday and 50-27 to Maryknoll Friday – but finished off its preseason with a 63-43 win over Kahuku. 

"The trip to Oahu kind of really opened the door for a lot of stuff for us," Fuiava said. "We run the Princeton offense, so the fact that these kids can pick it up and excel at it as fast as they are is promising – a lot of Jolie's points are off the offense, which is nice to see – and this group as a team, they're gonna do nice things."

Against the Red Raiders Saturday, Mantz showcased her shooting ability with seven 3-pointers and a game-high 22 points. 

"She's a game-changer. She can turn a game around and I think her teammates know that, so if you look at a lot of her shots, a lot of her makes comes off an assist, so she's really good at rewarding the good pass," Fuiava said. 

The Warriors, who hit 14 treys against Kahuku, are more than just Mantz, of course. 

Along with the All-BIIF first teamer and Second Team All-Hawaii guard, they also return fellow-junior guard Maya Kaneshiro, Honorable Mention All-Hawaii last season, and senior Korrilyn Fernandez, their third-leading scorer a year ago. The triumvirate share leadership responsibilities as team captains. 

"It's a new coaching staff, new dynamic, so they're still kind of learning how to do it as a group. I kind of lean against putting all that pressure on one person to be a leader, so I've got quite a few experienced players so we kind of lean on the leadership by group," Fuiava described. 

Waiakea reached the quarterfinals of the Division I state tournament in February before falling to OIA-champion Campbell. In addition to the trio of co-captains – who combined to average 30.2 points for the Warriors – they also welcomed an offensively-gifted freshman in Puaena Herrington, who tallied 20 points against Kahuku; She had 24 in the BIIF-opener against Hawaii Prep two weeks ago. 

"Pua, she's a tricky one; She can play all five positions and I've put her in five positions," Fuiava said. "I think she's averaging right in line with Jolie, so they're a real good complement to each other."

He noted that the duo of Mantz and Herrington were key to helping the Warriors make a second-half push against Kamehameha.

"Against Kamehameha we were down 15 (points) and Jolie and Pua, they turned the game around for us and we went on a run so they cut it down to 2, but we're kinda gonna go as far as our shooting takes us. At this stage, it just takes one shot to turn around a whole game and a lot of times it'll come between Jolie and Pua," Fuiava said. 

Waiakea returned to BIIF action Tuesday night with a 60-25 win over Keaau, where Fuiava previously coached. Mantz outscored the Cougars on her own with a game-high 26 points. 

"She's one knock-down shooter. She's deadly from 3-point range and if she finds a groove, there's kinda no stopping that shot," Fuiava said. "She's also a really good ball handler and she has good vision – I believe she averages five to six assists a game – and the girl has a good engine. She's one of those kids that you can tell is putting in the work in the offseason; She does a lot of traveling and for the most part, it's her work paying off. Defensively, it gets overlooked. I mean, she moves her feet well and she's deceptively quick and she understands the game."

Still, despite the hot start, Fuiava believes this is just the beginning for Mantz, who averaged 15.7 points over three games in three days the previous weekend in a preseason tournament hosted by Konawaena. 

"It's expected, but not the limit. I don't think she's even begun to start, I think this is kinda warm-up for her, so I'm excited to see what happens because she's had a couple off-games and with more games, more repetitions, I think the rest of the league will be in trouble," he said. 

Mantz and the Warriors (4-0 BIIF) landed at No. 9 in this week's ScoringLive Girls Basketball Power Rankings. They continue league play Thursday at Pahoa. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Theresa Anakalea, Damien — Scored 32 points in a win over Leilehua 

Nahenahe Alo, Sacred Hearts — Scored 16 points in a win over Kalani, scored 20 points in a win over Kalaheo and scored 15 points in a loss to Waimea 

Khloe Bicoy, Molokai — Scored 14 points in a win over Hana 

Katelyn Constantino, Waimea — Scored 15 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Nihoaokealii Dunn, Kamehameha — Scored 16 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Puaena Herrington, Waiakea — Scored 20 points in a win over Kahuku 

Leila Hooper-Phifer, Molokai — Scored 14 points in a win over Hana 

Keanu Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha

Kya Kanoho, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

KalysaMarie Ng, Sacred Hearts — Scored 16 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Brooke Samura, Hawaii Prep — Scored 20 points in a win over Christian Liberty 

GIRLS SOCCER

Jaeda Edayan, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Taj Fermahin, Aiea — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Aulani Franklin, Waiakea — Scored two goals in a win over Kealakehe 

Aeryn Hatico, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a tie with Kapolei 

Taja Kaaihue-Tollefsen, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt 

Zoe Maikai, Roosevelt — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki 

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

Alexyz Nakamoto, Leilehua — Scored four goals in a win over Waialua 

Arielle Olmos, Leilehua — Scored two goals in a win over Radford 

Areana Owens, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a win over Farrington 

Kylah Racca, Kauai — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapaa 

Sophia Wilson, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa and scored two goals in a win over Konawaena