Campbell senior pitcher Kila Kapihe tossed a complete-game two-hitter with nine strikeouts and just one walk allowed in a win over Kaiser in the OIA Division I semifinals. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

Male Athlete of the Week: Kila Kapihe, Campbell baseball
Campbell pitcher Kila Kapihe learned a valuable lesson on March 28.

On that day, Kapihe suffered his only loss of the season when he relieved starting pitcher Ian Kahaloa to start the eighth inning of a road game at Mililani. The Sabers ended up losing the game, 2-1, and Kapihe allowed the winning run to score after giving up a pair of hits and a walk in his brief outing.

"I think that game really motivated him to work hard and get back to what made him successful on the mound and that's being a pitcher," Campbell coach Rory Pico said. "It's easy to overthrow when you have (radar) guns pointed at you. Ian started the day, so the scouts were all there, so I think at times (Kapihe) can try a little too hard on the mound. I think he kind of figured it out, that it's not about throwing hard, but about making his pitches, hitting his spots and that's what he did well against Kaiser."

Pico is referring to Kapihe's most recent outing, which came Friday in the semifinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Tournament at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. Kapihe was in total command against the Cougars, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with nine strikeouts and just one walk allowed.

"He threw really well, he kept the ball down and he was able to throw his off speed pitches — not just for strikes, but he had command of them — and he could throw them where he wanted to," Pico said.

Kapihe retired the first nine batters he faced before surrendering a single to start the fourth innning, but retired the next seven batters. He lowered his earned run average to 1.46 and his fastball was clocked as high as 90 mph.

"He's always been that bulldog on the mound, who will go up there and challenge guys and throw strikes," Pico said. "He's increased his velocity and increased his command of his off speed pitches. He's traveled to play baseball, so I think all of those things combined has given him even more confidence."

Kapihe participated in a Perfect Game showcase on the East coast and played with Team Hawaii — along with Kahaloa — in a showcase in Arizona last fall.

"They throw similar pitches, but their mentalities are quite the opposite," Pico said of his top two pitchers, Kahaloa and Kapihe. "Ian is a really relaxed guy, who's always under control. Kila is a competitor. Obviously he doesn't throw as hard, but he competes and I think that's what makes him good. He's not afraid to challenge guys and he's had that since his sophomore year when we brought him up from the JV. He was our first guy off the bench then and he had decent velocity, but he would just go up there and get the job done."

Kapihe, a senior right-hander, has committed to play at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas next year.

"It's a good junior college," Pico said. "They have a lot of guys move on to D1 schools and get drafted out of that program. The hard part for him is he's 5-8 and when recruiters or scouts look at a player makeup, they look at how big this kid is. If he was 6-feet, I think he'd be getting just as much attention as Ian is."

Campbell, the top-ranked team in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, claimed its third straight OIA title with a 4-3 win over Mililani and has the week off before next week's Wally Yonamine Foundation/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Baseball State Championships at Les Murakami Stadium.

Female Athlete of the Week: Malia Nam, Kaiser golf
Last week's Oahu Interscholastic Association golf championships got off to an ominous start for Kaiser freshman Malia Nam.

"Her very first shot of her first OIA championships, she started on the 18th hole at Turtle Bay (George Fazio course), where you've got to carry it 180 yards or so over the water," Kaiser coach Wade Nakamura said. "It's not an easy hole to start on, but it just worked out that way because of the start plan. So her very first shot, she duffed it. She topped it bad. She told me that it bounced on the ground before it went in the water. I don't know if it was nerves, but to do that and still shoot one-over (par), that's remarkable."

Nam went on to shoot a 73 Monday, which put her two strokes back of Mililani's Mari Nishiura for the 18-hole lead. In Tuesday's final round, Nishiura faltered with an 83, while Nam was the lone player to shoot an even-par 72 to win the tournament by a comfortable nine strokes.

"Had she not duffed it into the water, she would have had the (18-hole) lead," Nakamura said. "Despite that bad first shot, she maintained her composure, put it behind her and she kept herself in contention,"

Winning, however, isn't anything new for Nam, who has won four of the five tournaments she has entered this season, according to Nakamura.

"The only one she didn't win was her very first tournament she played in," Nakamura said. "Every other tournament she's either at the top or tied for the top."

Nakamura, who is in his fourth season at the helm of the Cougars' program, said he had heard good things about Nam prior to the start of the season.

"I didn't really know what to expect from her, but people were telling me that she's good," Nakamura said. "The first tryout we had, we only played nine holes and she was four-over (par). I didn't think anything of it, I mean, that's still pretty good, but if you look at her tournament scores, she's usually not even four-over for 18 (holes), so that was an aberration."

Nakamura said it wasn't until the third tournament of the season that he realized just how good Nam is.

"Her first tournament she didn't win, but she shot like a 76, then she played one other tournament and shot about 73, but her third tournament at Pearl (Country Club) she she a 69 and that's when I realized she is capable of shooting really good scores," Nakamura said. "She proved to be much better than what her initial round was."

To be sure, Nam had put in a lot of work before she started high school. Nakamura said she started junior golf at a pretty young age and has her own swing coach that she works with year-round.

"My approach to those kinds of players is that we don't really talk about swing stuff, but we try to motivate them and put them under situations where there is pressure," Nakamura said. "Most people can hit good shots when they're practicing or just playing around, but when you put pressure on them — whether it's a game or a little competition — it's different, so that's what we try to do as coaches so that when they get to the tournament they're used to that feeling. That and, of course, course management; Where am I going to aim on this hole and why? Where can I miss if I miss? So we talk about strategy, but not so much the technical aspects like swing mechanics."

Nakamura said Nam isn't a flashy player, but rather one of the steadiest he's come across.

"She doesn't have anything that stands out: she's not exceptionally long with her driver. Every now and then she will hit a solid iron shot and her short game is decent, but her strength is she doesn't make real bad mistakes," Nakamura said. "I haven't seen her get into really bad trouble and I think that's because she plays really smart. She doesn't take unnecessary risks, she takes calculated risks and I can see her analyzing whether it's worth it or not. She has really good course management and she's very disciplined. That's what makes her better than most."

Not only did Nam win individual medalist honors last week, her team won its first team title since 1999.

"That was the best feeling," Nakamura said. "It was so much fun being there and watching them, because it really was a roller-coaster ride. They would be doing well, but then they would struggle, but to see it all work out in the end and to see them celebrate was amazing."

Nam and the Cougars now set their sights on the David S. Ishii Foundation/Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships at the Waikoloa Resort Kings' Course next week.

BASEBALL
Makana Aiona, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Konawaena

Kingsley Ballao, Maui — Struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed two runs on three hits in 7 2/3 innings pitched in a win over King Kekaulike

Kobi Candaroma, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Konawaena

Joey Cantillo, Kailua — Allowed two runs on five hits in a complete-game win over Leilehua

Micah Chinen, Mililani — Scattered four hits in a complete-game shutout win over Moanalua

Emmett Covello, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, double and three RBI in a win over Pearl City

Trenton Darley, Pearl City — Struck out seven batters, walked two and allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Roosevelt

Grant Doi, Mid-Pacific — Allowed two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Kamehameha

Haloa Dudoit, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Hanalei Dudoit-Enos, Molokai — Struck out six batters, walked three and allowed one run on two hits in five innings pitched in a win over St. Anthony

Koa Eastlack, Mililani — Struck out six batters, walked one and allowed three hits in a complete-game shutout win over Kailua

Jacob Gonzalez, Radford — Hit a three-run home run and walked twice in a loss to Moanalua

Darrien Hermosura-Villanueva, Campbell — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, three RBI and struck out seven batters and threw six shutout innings of two-hit ball in a win over Kalani and batted 2 for 2 with four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kaiser

Bronson Ichimura, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Saint Louis

Joey Jarneski, Hilo — Struck out 10 batters, walked two and allowed one run on two hits in a complete-game win over Keaau

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Struck out 10 batters, walked none and allowed three (unearned) runs on three hits in a complete-game win over Mililani

Reece Kakugawa, Kalani — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, RBI, run scored, walk and a stolen base and struck out seven batters, walked two and allowed four hits in a complete-game shutout win over Waipahu

Jarred Kaneshiro, Maryknoll — Struck out nine batters, walked two and allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Saint Francis

Kila Kapihe, Campbell — Struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed two hits in a complete-game shutout win over Kaiser and batted 2 for 2 with two runs scored in a win over Mililani

Kobe Kato, Aiea — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk and two runs scored in a win over Farrington

Trayson Kubo, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and struck out 10 batters and walked none in a six-inning no-hitter in a win over Castle

Tyler Kushima, Pearl City — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Roosevelt, batted 2 for 3 with two walks and three runs scored in a loss to Kaiser and batted 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kalani

Kaliu Lapera, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBI and a walk in a win over Waialua

Hunter Lau, Kalani — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over Waipahu

Micah Layosa, Kauai — Scattered four hits in five scoreless innings pitched and drove in the only run in a win over Kapaa

Kody Leiu, Farrington — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, RBI, stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Nanakuli

Sanyo Lo, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Moanalua

Dylan Madamba, Aiea — Struck out 12 batters, walked none and allowed one hit in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Farrington

Jaryn Nakamoto, Aiea — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kapolei

Christian Onomura, Pearl City — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI in a loss to Kaiser

Codie Paiva, Kamehameha — Tossed a complete-game one-hitter in a win over Iolani

Malu Peralta, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Struck out 11 batters and scattered three hits in a complete-game shutout win over Konawaena

Keoki Planas, Kapaa — Allowed one (unearned) run on two hits in seven innings pitched in a loss to Kauai

Dayne Ramos, Pac-Five — Allowed one run on six hits in five innings pitched and batted 2 for 3 with four RBI in a win over Damien

Noah Serrao, Hilo — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Keaau and batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Keaau

Kekai Smith, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and a stolen base in a win over Waialua

Randy Tabura, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Lee Tanaka, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, walk and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

Adam Tanoue, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, walk, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Leilehua

Kaenakea Victorino, Molokai — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, triple, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over St. Anthony

Ryley Widell, King Kekaulike — Struck out 10 batters, walked three and allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings pitched in a loss to Maui

Casey Wond, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI in a win over Hanalani

Kenji Yamaguchi, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, RBI and a run scored in a win over Radford

Trey Yukumoto, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 4 with two runs scored in a win over Castle

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Sili Fuiava, Mililani — Had 17 kills in a loss to Kahuku

Zavier Lieb, Mililani — Had 31 assists, 13 digs, four kills and two aces in a loss to Kahuku

Micha Maiava, Kahuku — Had 15 kills in a win over Mililani

Austin Matautia, Moanalua — Had 17 kills in a win over Leilehua

Kingston Nishimura, Mililani — Had 17 kills in a loss to Kahuku

Cameron Renaud, Kahuku — Had 30 assists and two aces in a win over Mililani

GIRLS WATER POLO
Kahea Kahaulelio, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Leilehua

Rell Koizumi, Moanalua — Scored five goals in a win over Farrington

Lexi Taylor, Punahou II — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha II

GOLF
Spencer Dunaway, Kamehameha — Shot a 1-under par 143 to win the ILH boys' individual championship at Oahu Country Club and Turtle Bay's George Fazio course

Mariel Galdiano, Punahou — Shot a 5-under par 139 to win the ILH girls' individual championship at Oahu Country Club and Turtle Bay's George Fazio course

Kyosuke Hara, Moanalua — Shot a 5-under par 139 to win the OIA boys' individual championship and helped Na Menehune win the team title at Turtle Bay's George Fazio course

Trevor Hirata, Waiakea — Shot a 4-over par 76 wo win the BIIF boys' individual championship and helped the Warriors win the team title at Kohanaiki Golf and Ocean Club

Malia Nam, Kaiser — Shot a 1-over par 145 to win the OIA girls' individual championship and helped theCougars win the team title at Turtle Bay's George Fazio course

Kelly Saludares, Waiakea — Shot a 7-over par 79 to win the BIIF girls' individual championship and helped the Warriors win the team title at Kohanaiki Golf and Ocean Club.

JUDO
Kekua Marumoto, Kapolei — Won the boys' 161-pound weight class for his second straight OIA title

Kari Okubo, Aiea — Won the girls' 154-pound weight class for her second straight OIA title

Jayson Pagurayan, Kapolei — Won the boys' 108-pound weight class for his second straight OIA title

Zorich Palimoo, Moanalua — Won the boys' 198-pound weight class for his second straight OIA title

SOFTBALL
Danielle Antolin, Saint Francis — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored in a loss to Maryknoll

Bailey Akimseu, Punahou — Batted 4 for 5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Kylie-Ann Bello, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with four RBI, two walks and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna, Waianae — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in a loss to Waipahu

Tiana Cantero-Kawelo, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in a loss to Mililani

Kylie Carganilla, Farrington — Batted 3 for 6 with a home run, eight RBI and three runs scored in a win over Anuenue and batted 3 for 3 with two home runs, a double, eight RBI, two walks and five runs scored in a win over Anuenue

Kaipo Castillo, Farrington — Batted 3 for 5 with three home runs, a triple, seven RBI, one walk and four runs scored in a win over Anuenue

Andrea Dicion, Waialua — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBI in a loss to Aiea

Kamalani Dung, Kamehamhea — Scattered three hits in a complete-game win over Maryknoll

Elisa Favela, Campbell — Batted 3 for 6 with a home run and a double in a win over Kapolei

Genice Gabriel, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in a win over McKinley

Kylie Kawelo, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in a win over McKinley

Alecia Kupihea, Kapolei — Batted 4 for 5 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored in a loss to Campbell

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Allowed three runs (two unearned) on three hits in five innings pitched and drove in three runs with a walk in a win over Saint Francis

I'liana Lee, Radford — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI in a win over Kalaheo

Alyssa Lene, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and a walk in a win over Waianae

Vesi Liilii, Aiea — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI, a walk and three runs scored in a win over Waialua

Kailee McGloghlon, Farrington — Batted 2 for 4 with four RBI, two walks and four runs scored in a win over Anuenue

Chynna Mekaru, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 2 with two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

Jordan Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with two runs scored in a win over Iolani

Caragh Morris, Campbell — Drove in four runs, walked once and scored once in a win over Kapolei

Makana Myers, Kapolei — Batted 4 for 6 with a home run, double and two RBI in a loss to Campbell

Sammie Ofoia, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double, six RBI and two runs scored in a win over Punahou

Iyana Reed, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and three runs scored in a win over McKinley

Merilis Rivera, Mililani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Leilehua

Mahina Sauer, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run in a win over Iolani

Shaye Simms, Saint Francis — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Punahou

Chelsea Song, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Kailua

Poamai Tuli, Aiea — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBI, a walk and two runs scored in a win over Waialua

Heaven Wong, Punahou — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in a win over Mid-Pacific