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Treston McMillan

Mililani football  •   #10    

Kini McMillan is doing his best to make up for lost time. 

After suffering season-ending injuries in each of his first two seasons, the Mililani quarterback is enjoying a record-breaking junior campaign this fall. The 6-foot, 185-pound McMillan has passed for 2,713 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has completed 70.2 percent of his passes and has been intercepted four times. 

Trojans coach Rod York isn't surprised by the prolific season McMillan is having; He sees what the talented gunslinger is capable of every day in practice. 

"He's a dual-threat quarterback and his IQ of football is very high," said York, who has coached past standout quarterbacks the likes of Jarin Morikawa, McKenzie Milton and Dillon Gabriel. 

"Kini is an accurate quarterback. He can throw a back-shoulder pass, he can throw it over the top and drop it in and take out the (defensive back) on long balls, he can throw the short and he's not greedy – he'll hit the open guy – so it makes him more dangerous, but his accuracy is probably the best that we've had at Mililani at his age and he's a tough kid," York described. 

McMillan's accuracy is reflected in the numbers. He started off the year by going 24-of-33 passing for 240 yards against Punahou. During a three-game stretch against Sheldon (Eugene, Oregon), Saint Louis and Castle, McMillan completed 75.9 percent of his passes (63 of 83) for a combined 860 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. 

His most recent game, a 15-for-25 passing effort against Campbell Saturday night, was his lowest of the season in terms of completion percentage. Still, McMillan threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. 

York, however, isn't all too enamored by statistics. 

"As long as we get the win, that's the only number we care about – and the zero turnovers – the rest is gravy," he said.

The Trojans got four sacks and an interception from their defense and a momentum-turning 94-yard kickoff return for touchdown by Davyn Joseph on the final play of the first half. 

"We scored 55 (points), but our defense and special teams helps us and it doesn't matter how we get it, as long as we get it," York added. 

Beyond the stats he put up against the Sabers, York noted that McMillan made smart decisions with the football and used his legs to extend plays – much in the way that his predecessors did before him. 

"His football IQ is high so sometimes he's making plays that weren't designed that way, kind of like a McKenzie and what Dillon used to do. For example, we'll have a pass play and you'll see him running it in because everybody took away our tight end that we were going to and that left him open – against Campbell we did that one day," York said. "He checked out of a play on his own and it was actually the right play. We were going to pass but they had two guys on (Salanoa) and Kini checked to a run and those are the things that make him dangerous and he can also make plays with his feet."

Although not a speedster, McMillan has hurt opposing defenses with his ability to scramble, sometimes making something out of nothing. Aside from the season-opening loss to Punahou, McMillan has gained positive rushing yardage in every game this season. 

Back in early September, McMillan gashed Sheldon for 85 yards on just six carries and more recently showed out against Waipahu, when he ran nine times for 94 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. McMillan is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on the season and has accounted for nine rushing TDs. 

Still, without a true backup behind him, McMillan has had to be careful about taking on too much contact. 

"It's always great when our quarterback is not injured and he's learning to take care of the ball," York said. "He doesn't throw the ball into coverage, he's learning to get the ball out instead of scrambling all the time and then him checking to the run shows discipline. He throws the arrows and bubbles just as well as he throws the deep ball, but this is playoff time and this is where we get defined, so we'll find out."

York went into how the season-ending injuries of the past two years has helped to shape McMillan and his laser-focused mindset this year. 

"It's made him hungrier and more motivated. It was tough for him to watch. One year his dad took him off-island – football is very important for him – but he was always there and is a great teammate and he's done things to remain healthy," York said. 

He explained that McMillan works extensively with personal trainer Kimo Luna throughout the year, which has paid dividends this fall. 

"It's not so much lifting, but a lot of stretching work and he does it on his own time. He's put in a lot of work on stretching and I mean, a lot more than I thought and that's made the difference in the training. His dad also put him on a strict diet – I mean, toast and avocado – so he's leaned out and we try to keep him healthy by getting that ball out and running the ball a little bit more and just his decision-making trying to hit the open guy instead of the lock guy has probably made the biggest difference," York said. 

Mililani will try for its fifth league title when it meets No. 1 Kahuku Saturday night for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Open Division championship game.

McMillan and the Trojans (9-1), the No. 2 team in this week's ScoringLive Power Rankings, will face off against the Red Raiders (10-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Farrington's Edward ‘Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field. 

Both teams have already qualified for the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Championships later this month.

FOOTBALL

Sylas Alaimalo, Damien — Ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries in a win over Saint Louis II 

Braden Albrecht, Maui — Caught 10 passes for 142 yards in a loss to Lahainaluna 

Zed Anahu-Ambrosio, Konawaena — Caught eight passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns and recorded 4 1/2 tackles and an interception in a win over Keeau  

Timothy Arnold, Leilehua — Caught seven passes for 141 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Waipahu 

Pono Brede, Roosevelt — Recorded seven tackles and two sacks in a win over Kaiser 

Rowen-Ray Bucao, Campbell — Caught five passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Mililani 

Kaimana Carvalho, Kahuku — Caught six passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kapolei 

Sean Connell, Kaiser — Ran for four touchdowns and threw another in a loss to Roosevelt 

Keawe Davis, Roosevelt — Caught eight passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kaiser 

Astin Hange, Punahou — Caught five passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Saint Louis 

Kuhio Hoohuli, Damien — Scored on a 17-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Saint Louis II 

Davyn Joseph, Mililani — Caught five passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 94-yard kickoff return for touchdown in a win over Campbell 

Nakoa Kahana-Travis, Mililani — Caught three passes for 108 yards and a touchdown and ran for a touchdown in a win over Campbell 

Xayden Kama, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored on a 51-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Ioane Kamanao, Roosevelt — Threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-30 passing without an interception in a win over Kaiser 

Diezel Kamoku, Kahuku — Caught eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kapolei 

AJ Kanae, Damien — Recorded two interceptions and a pass break-up in a win over Saint Louis II 

Brady Kim, Kaiser — Ran for 110 yards on 29 carries in a loss to Roosevelt 

Tainoa Lave, Campbell — Caught six passes for 132 yards and a touchdown and recorded six tackles, including 3 1/2 for losses, and one pass break-up in a loss to Mililani 

Iosefa Letuli, Kaimuki — Ran for 287 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries and threw a touchdown pass in a win over Pearl City 

Willis Lilly, Farrington — Recorded two interceptions in a win over Kailua 

Keagan Lime, Kaiser — Caught nine passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Roosevelt 

Ty McCutcheon, Punahou — Threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-19 passing without an interception in a win over Saint Louis 

Elijah Mendoza, Waipahu — Threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-36 passing in a win over Leilehua 

Sitani Mikaele, Farrington — Ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in a win over Kailua 

Cole Northington, Leilehua — Ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in a loss to Leilehua 

Jordan Nunuha, Saint Louis — Caught nine passes for 143 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Punahou 

Makana Kamaka-Brayce, Kamehameha-Maui — Threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-17 passing without an interception and ran for a touchdown in a win over Kekaulike

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Campbell — Threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-43 passing with one interception and ran for two touchdowns in a loss to Mililani 

Onosai Salanoa, Mililani — Caught three passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a win over Campbell 

Teva Sanchez, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored on a 22-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Ian Sera, Damien — Caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a win over Saint Louis II 

Ezekiel Soon, Roosevelt — Recorded 11 1/2 tackles, including 2 1/2 for losses and one-half sack in a win over Kaiser 

Jahsiah Souza-Armstead, Roosevelt — Caught six passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kaiser 

Eric Stephens, Waipahu — Caught eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Leilehua 

Tulilele Tagovailoa-Amosa, Kahuku — Threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-27 passing without an interception and ran for a touchdown in a win over Kapolei 

Austin Takaki, Konawaena — Intercepted three passes, made 4 1/2 tackles and caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown in a win over Keaau 

Kaulana Tihada, Lahainaluna — Ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries in a win over Maui 

AJ Tuifua, Damien — Threw for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-19 passing without an interception in a win over Saint Louis II 

Kuola Watson, Lahainaluna — Recorded two interceptions and a fumble recovery in a win over Maui 

Jeremiah White, Kaimuki — Ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and recorded two interceptions, two tackles and a pass break-up in a win over Pearl City 

Kalelepono Wong, Kekaulike — Ran for 100 yards on 23 carries in a loss to Kamehameha-Maui 

Jordan Yoro, Kekaulike — Ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in a loss to Kamehameha-Maui 

Piilani Hirahara

Roosevelt volleyball  •   #12  S  Senior

Jarin Lubong has learned that when it comes to his Roosevelt girls volleyball team, Piilani Hirahara is the straw that stirs the drink. 

That's why, as a senior this year, Hirahara has ascended to become the team's primary setter in a revamped offense and the payoff, so far, has been promising for the Rough Riders. 

With Hirahara at the controls, Roosevelt made an unlikely run last week to the semifinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I tournament and in the process, secured a spot in the state tournament for the first time since 2016. 

After a sixth-place finish in the OIA D1 East standings, the Rough Riders posted a pair of upsets on back-to-back nights to make it to the final four of the 12-team league tournament. They opened the postseason with a four-set win on the road at West No. 3 seed Nanakuli last Wednesday. A night later they pulled off a sweep of East second-seeded Kalaheo in a quarterfinal-round match at Mililani. 

"This whole season has been kind of up and down, up and down, especially with some of the close games that we had – that we should have won – that just came down to the wire and some missed opportunities," said Lubong, the third-year Roosevelt coach.

To be sure, Hirahara has been a crucial piece to the Rough Riders' postseason run. She recorded 41 assists, four digs, three kills, two service aces and one-half block against the Golden Hawks. Hirahara tallied a double-double against the Mustangs with 24 assists, a match-high 16 digs, as well as a couple more aces and a kill. 

"She was always one of those players that wanted to win. She wanted to compete, especially when things were down and when I challenged the players, ‘Who wants to win this game?,' she responds, ‘I want to win this game,' and she's always had that heart."

Hirahara and the Rough Riders embraced the role of underdog going into the OIA tournament. 

"We were sixth in the East so I told them that we had nothing to lose and that they just had to play and control what we can control on the court," Lubong said. 

Roosevelt was led offensively both nights by pin hitters Diamen Brown (19 kills vs. Nanakuli, 12 vs. Kalaheo) and Dylan Hall (10 and 10). Both are seniors along with Hirahara and make up a third of the nine seniors on the roster. 

The Rough Riders had last participated in the state tournament seven years ago. It qualified for states in D2 in 2016, 2013, 2011 and 2010, but has not made an appearance in the D1 field since 2009. 

Lubong said that Hirahara has had her sights set on the state tournament for some time.

"She asked me during the (regular) season if we had a chance for states, so she's always wanted to compete and eventually we got to states by winning those two (OIA) playoff games with her and everybody else – including all our starters and players coming off the bench – really buying in and started to compete now, which is really great to see, but it's like, where was this the whole season?," Lubong laughed. "But we were happy that it was better late than never. It's really changed the season so far and it's awesome to see, especially to see Pii grow from a sophomore to now as a senior."

Lubong explained that although Hirahara has been in the starting lineup since her sophomore season, her role has expanded from being in a rotation as part of a six-attacker, two-setter look in the past to the lone setter in a 5-1 attack this year. 

"It's interesting because she's been consistent over the years starting from the beginning as a sophomore, but I guess when you start as a sophomore you have more of the upperclassmen to do more of the carrying, but over the years she's kind of took the lead and carried more of the lead. Previous years she's only play in the back row, but this year we made the switch to a 5-1 and it's really benefited us this year, so she really took on a bigger role this year and she's doing really well with it," Lubong said. 

Roosevelt's win over Kalaheo was especially redeeming after it lost in four sets the first time the teams met – the season-opener for both teams back on Sept. 14. At that time, however, Lubong was still in the process of tinkering with the lineup and rotation. 

The Rough Riders lost their first two matches of the regular season, albeit to the teams that eventually finished atop the East in Kalaheo and Moanalua, before Lubong made some changes. 

"We kind of noticed that every time Pii came off the court there was something missing, like a vibe that she brings on the court and every time she went back in, it brought us back in the game, so we thought we'd just give it a chance with her playing all of the rotations and see what it's like if she's in the whole time and it's been going great," Lubong said. 

Part of the increase in responsibilities meant that the 5-foot-7 Hirahara had to get used to blocking at the net. 

"If she has to hit, she's smart with the ball. It's not a great hit, but it's consistent and she'll get it over, but blocking is what she had to really work on a lot more because now she's in the front row. She's been doing well in that aspect and as a setter she can take advantage of dumping the ball, or putting the ball down on two and she's been great at that, too," Lubong said. 

Not only has Hirahara been a starter since she first joined the team three years ago, she has also been a captain since that 2021 season – a testament to both her volleyball prowess and her leadership. 

"She has a great volleyball IQ and she's a Hirahara, so she's part of a good volleyball family," Lubong said. 

Piilani's older brother, Laiakea, was co-Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year as a senior last year. 

"She can do it all and she's been the X-factor for our team since her sophomore year. I think what makes her special is that her attitude is always great. On the court she always has a straight face, but when you actually talk to her, she's very humorous and fun to be around and she gets along with everybody, which is great for our team with her being a captain," Lubong said. 

Lubong describes Hirahara as a "quiet assassin type of player.

"She's not the loud type of person, but you can sense the leadership that she brings. I feel like she would be our alpha on our team and even though she's kind of the silent type, she's always competitive and she'll do whatever it takes to win," he said. 

Hirahara has been steady at the service line all season, but has shown improvement in her back row defense over the course of the year. 

"She can serve all six spots – she has a great serve – and setting-wise she can spread the ball and she puts up a hittable ball for our hitters, but the defensive side she's had trouble throughout the season trying to dig balls, so these past two games, especially against Kalaheo, she made some good digs, got the ball up and just showed out, which was great for her. Even in timeouts and in the huddle, she was always communicating to her teammates and coaches; She's always taking things in, making adjustments and is just a very good, coachable player," Lubong expressed. 

Lubong, who was an assistant on the staff for nine years prior to taking over in 2021, reflected upon the impact that Hirahara has had on the program over her three years on the team. 

"She's just a great person in general and all the coaches really do enjoy her. She's really fun to talk story with and is very respectful, great attitude and we've just really enjoyed her over these past three years and we're really going to miss her and her vibe and her energy that she brings to our program. I'm getting kind of sad thinking about Piilani moving on, but her future is bright," Lubong said. 

Hirahara had 18 assists, seven digs and an ace in a three-set loss to West top-seeded Mililani in the late OIA semifinal at McKinley Monday night. The Rough Riders (6-7) dropped the third-place match against Kapolei in five sets Tuesday. 

The New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I state championships gets underway on Nov. 6. 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Salaana Akanoa, Kahuku — Had 17 digs and one ace in a three-set win over Campbell 

Natronai Anana, Baldwin — Had 19 digs, two set assists and one ace in a three-set win over Kekaulike and had 25 digs, one kill and an ace in a three-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Adrianna Arquette, Kamehameha — Had 12 kills, 11 digs, two blocks, two aces and two set assists in a four-set win over Punahou 

Anae Asuncion, Mililani — Had 40 set assists, seven digs, six kills and 1 1/2 blocks in a four-set win over Kahuku 

Rella Binney, Punahou — Had 31 set assists, 11 digs, one kill, one ace and one-half block in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Damien Brown, Roosevelt — Had 19 kills, four digs, one block and an ace in a four-set win over Nanakuli 

Luna Ann Brown, Kaiser — Had 13 kills, 6 1/2 blocks, two aces and one dig in a five-set loss to Leilehua 

Leina Chu, Hawaii Baptist — Had 41 assists in a three-set win over Maryknoll

Kamaluhia Garcia, Moanalua — Had 15 kills, three digs, three aces and one-half block in a three-set win over Leilehua 

Dylan Hall, Roosevelt — Had 10 kills, 11 digs, two blocks and two aces in a three-set win over Kalaheo

Kenzie Hanawahine, Kaiser — Had 50 set assists, one block and an ace in a five-set loss to Leilehua 

Lamona Lauhingoa, Kahuku — Had 18 kills, six digs, one block and a set assist in a four-set loss to Mililani

Emma Lilo, Kamehameha — Had 40 set assists, six digs, four kills, four aces and one-half block in a four-set win over Punahou 

Ashli Lum, Kamehameha — Had 15 digs and one kill in a four-set win over Punahou 

Haumea Marumoto, Punahou — Had 14 kills, one dig and one-half block in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Amanda Naipo, Baldwin — Had 17 kills and eight digs in a three-set win over Kekaulike and had 18 kills, nine digs and three aces in a three-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Marisa Nakata, Hawaii Baptist — Had 29 kills in a three-set win over Maryknoll

Lilinoe Paschoal, Baldwin — Had 34 set assists, seven aces, five digs and one kill in a three-set win over Kekaulike and had 45 set assists, four digs, two kills and one ace in a three-set win over Kamehameha-Maui

Erica Roberts, Mililani — Had 15 kills, six digs, two set assits, one block and an ace in a four-set win over Kahuku  

Alexis Rodriguez, Mililani — Had 18 kills, 10 digs, two set assists, one ace and one-half block in a four-set win over Kahuku 

Naomi Toilolo, Kahuku — Had 12 kills, 19 set assists, four digs and one-half block in a three-set loss to Campbell 

Shereya Ufuti, Kaiser — Had 22 kills, three aces, two digs and one-half block in a five-set loss to Leilehua