To say that Le Jardin junior Laakea Kamahele is a singular talent might be an understatement.

Just ask his basketball coach, Doug Porter, a veteran of the prep coaching ranks with nearly 40 years of experience that includes time in New York City, widely considered the Mecca of prep basketball.

"This kid is a unicorn. He is a Swiss Army knife," Porter said of Kamahele, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound first-year starter for the Bulldogs.

In all of Porter's years of coaching, he hasn't quite seen a skillset like that of Kamahele, whose talents go far beyond his scoring average of 13.4 points per game. As a sophomore a year ago, Kamahele was the first player off the bench for a team headlined by four senior starters who combined for an average of more than 46 points per game.

"He played a lot of minutes last year as our sixth man, but at the end of the game Laa was always in there," Porter said.

Part of the reason for Kamahele's heavy usage is his versatility. Wherever there was a need, Kamahele was able to fill that void.

"Last year I played him from (point guard) through (center). He literally played all five positions – I just plug and play him – wherever I played him he excelled," Porter noted.

Kamahele, for his part, is not only able, but certainly willing to play wherever he is needed.

"He doesn't care, it's no problem. He's a natural (shooting guard) and that's likely his position at the collegiate level, so in the preseason we played him there, but once we got to league play he's been playing inside a lot more; He actually plays center a lot for us mostly, whereas last year he played a lot of point guard, but wherever you need him to play, he can do it. He's just a tremendous athlete," Porter said.

Porter likens Kamahele's style to that of Kyle Anderson, a small forward for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, who is nicknamed "Slow Mo."

"Laa plays at his own speed and is still able to get where he wants to go. He can be quick, but he can also be very deliberate about it. He's engaging to watch and has a very unique game. I've coached at the top level of high school ball in New York City and this kid, I just love coaching him. He's such a unique player: he can hit the 3, he's a tremendous baseline player, he'll go inside for you and he can facilitate. I've had some great players in my career, but I'm so glad I'm having him late in my career because I really appreciate the kid. He's phenomenal and really, he's one of a kind," Porter expressed.

Kamahele is in his third year on Le Jardin's varsity squad. As a 5-foot-11 freshman two years ago, he saw limited playing time (under a previous coach) and averaged a modest 1.8 points per game. Last year Kamahele grew to 6 feet, 2 inches and ranked fifth on the team – which finished fifth at February's Division II state tournament – in scoring at 8.0 points per game. He also helped the Bulldogs' boys volleyball team to a D2 state runner-up finish in the spring later that year.

"I watched him in that state tournament in volleyball and he really came through in the clutch for them when they needed him and he does the same for me in basketball. He's a tremendous clutch performer and a really fierce competitor," Porter said.

Kamahele finally cracked Porter's starting lineup as a junior this year and is one three co-captains. He is scored a career-high 23 points, including four made 3-pointers, in a much-needed 64-53 win over Hanalani Saturday.

Le Jardin was coming off of an eight-point loss at Damien just two days prior. Porter said he utilized Friday's practice to talk to his team in three separate groups: his three captains, Keaka Bennett, Beckson Pierce and Kamahele – who he refers to as his "big three," the next five players in the current eight-man rotation he utilizes and finally, the four players on the bench who see little playing time.

"I had never separated a team like that before, but they all responded well to that. I told the big three that I get it, they played with four really good seniors last year who were all excellent players and I know it's harder this year because they're not playing with guys who have that experience, but I wanted them to know that I appreciate the way they're trying to bring them along," Porter explained.

The pep talk paid off as the Bulldogs fought off a pesky Hanalani squad to keep pace among the leaders in the ILH Division II standings. Porter said it was almost reminiscent of a key turning point for his squad last year, when his team went 13-3 following an 0-3 start to the regular season.

"We lost to Damien after we blew an 18-point lead at halftime and then we blew out Hanalani at home to kind of hit that start button in the fourth game of the season and it felt like it happened on Saturday. All of a sudden we started to coming together and it was almost the same thing and I think those three guys (Bennett, Pierce and Kamahele) really did that. They're all great kids and great leaders and with Laa, the way he has matured, you've got to give him most of the credit. He's the one who has made the changes and it's made him an even better player and he was already a tremendous player before that," Porter said.

Porter added that Kamahele has not only shown growth in his game and his leadership ability, but also his maturity and on-court demeanor.

"Laa would struggle a bit with the refs, a little bit with his temperament – he was a little bit of a hot head – but I'm so proud of him this year. He just plays the game, he doesn't look at the refs, he's very motivating and encouraging with his teammates and so I'm almost more proud of him for that than anything else. He's really learned to control his emotions on the floor and channel them the right way because he's a fierce competitor and he wants to win, but he's become a great leader, a great teammate and he's great in the locker room," Porter described.

Le Jardin improved to 4-1 on the season with a 69-19 rout of Island Pacific Monday night.

Kamahele and the Bulldogs will continue league play Wednesday when they host Hawaiian Mission before they take on Assets Saturday at Damien.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Dansen Agaran, Maui — Scored 27 points with 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals in a loss to Kekaulike 

Alika Ahu, University Lab — Scored 19 points in a win over Mid-Pacific 

David Aiona, Honokaa — Scored 19 points in a win over Laupahoehoe and scored 17 points in a win over Konawaena 

Anthony Bautista, Pearl City — Scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Kapolei 

Keaka Bennett, Le Jardin — Scored 18 points in a loss to Damien 

Norris Birdsong, Kaiser — Scored 17 points in a win over Kalani 

Excel Bonoan, Kau — Scored 23 points in a win over Waiakea 

Noah Buford, Kekaulike — Scored 17 points with three assists and two rebounds in a win over Maui 

Kyron Canete, Pahoa — Scored 33 points in a win over St. Joseph and scored 32 points in a win over Kau 

Zarek Casio, Maui — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Maui 

Daeten Castillo, Kau — Scored 20 points in a loss to Pahoa 

Darius Chizer, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points with five rebounds and three assists in a win over Iolani 

Kashus Daley, Kahuku — Scored 34 points in a win over McKinley

Levi Damo-Agcaoili, Damien — Scored 17 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Le Jardin 

Bromo Dorn, Seabury Hall — Scored 24 points with six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a win over Molokai and scored 17 points with two rebounds, one steal and a block in a win over Molokai 

Hilton Edwards, Kaimuki — Scored 20 points in a loss to Moanalua 

Keaka Farias, Assets — Scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Hawaiian Mission 

Roman Gabriel, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Pearl City 

Ayden Goo, Iolani — Scored 22 points in a loss to Mid-Pacific and scored 34 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kamehameha

Austin Green, Kapaa — Scored 24 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Island School

Garrett Hadley, Island School — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kapaa 

Isaiah Harmon, Radford — Scored 23 points in a win over Waipahu and scored 24 points in a win over Waialua 

Camren Holt-Ho, Kauai — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapaa 

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points in a win over Honokaa and scored 20 points in a win over Hilo 

Reese Jenkins, Kauai — Scored 22 points in a win over Kapaa 

Tykea Johnson Jr., Mililani — Scored 17 points in a win over Pearl City 

Shealand Kazama, Aiea — Scored 20 points in a loss to Campbell 

Dylan Kuia, Baldwin — Scored 26 points in a win over Lahainaluna and scored 28 points with seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Logan Mason, Mid-Pacific — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kamehameha, scored 20 points with eight rebounds and one assist in a win over Iolani and scored 17 points in a loss to University Lab 

Keanu Meacham, Saint Louis — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou 

Ronin Naihe, Kahuku — Scored 21 points with five assists and three rebounds in a win over Moanalua and scored 22 points in a win over McKinley 

Noah Park, Aiea — Scored 23 points in a loss to Campbell 

Sebastian Peterson, Seabury Hall — Scored 19 points with nine assists, five rebounds and five steals in a win over Molokai 

ManDuy Pham, Kaimuki — Scored 23 points, including six 3-pointers, in a loss to Kalaheo 

Maddox Pung, Kailua — Scored 23 points in a win over Castle 

Mar Ruiz, Waimea — Scored 19 points in a loss to Island School

Shyne Salvador, Kamehameha — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani 

Isaac Salvador-Libron, Kohala — Scored 19 points in a win over Konawaena 

Tanoa Scanlan, Punahou — Scored 22 points with two rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a win over Maryknoll and scored 16 points in a loss to Saint Louis 

Matthew Shigetani, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 21 points in a loss to Le Jardin and scored 17 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Josiah Shinbara, Castle — Scored 22 points in a loss to Roosevelt 

Trystin Stevens, Leilehua — Scored 17 points in a win over Waianae 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 22 points in a win over Laupahoehoe and scored 22 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Nehemiah Thompson, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points in a win over Campbell 

Kyan Uganda, Waipahu — Scored 19 points in a loss to Radford 

Zion White, Punahou — Scored 13 points with 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a win over Maryknoll and scored 18 points in a loss to Saint Louis 

Tyree Wilson, Leilehua — Scored 17 points in a win over Waianae 

Aidan Wong, Iolani — Scored 20 points in a win over Kamehameha 

BOYS SOCCER

Bron Apao, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

Brody Awaya, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Keli Fisher, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Louis and scored three goals in a win over PAC-5

Elijah Hayes, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley and scored two goals in a tie with Kalaheo 

Justin Katayama, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kahuku 

Alex Lau, Roosevelt — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Kaimuki and scored a goal and assisted on another in a win over McKinley 

Brody Lau, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Louis 

Devin Lee, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Mana Llanos, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Cale MacMillan, Castle — Assisted on two goals in a win over Kalaheo 

Cody Mar, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Manoa Monteiro, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua and scored three goals in a win over Waialua 

Brody Person, Kailua — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington 

Aiden-Kainoa Pine, Waipahu — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Caleb Pollard, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Benjamin Richard, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Sye Sandobal, Aiea — Scored five goals in a win over Waianae 

Brennyn Yoshida, Kapolei — Scored seven goals in a win over Nanakuli  

First-year Roosevelt girls basketball coach Abel Werner is well aware that players the caliber of Makelah Richardson don't come around very often.

In fact, it's one of the reasons Werner applied for the Rough Riders' job.

Richardson, a 5-foot-11 senior, has been a standout on the hardwood since her freshman year at the Makiki campus that sits on the slopes of Punchbowl crater. Over the years, she has played just about every position and excelled in just about every way.

The draw of coaching one of the state's top individual talents was enough to lure Werner, a lifelong McKinley Tiger, to return to the coaching ranks.

"To tell you the truth, that's one of the reasons I applied," said Werner, who coached McKinley's girls team to an OIA Division II title back in 2008. Prior to that, Werner was a standout basketball and football player himself for the Tigers. He still works at his alma mater.

"I knew what was up there and I thought I could maybe add a spark to that program," Werner said of the Rough Riders.

Werner, a father of three, saw first-hand how talented Richardson was when she played club basketball with his oldest daughter.

"She can be very, very deadly. If you've ever seen her play, it's kind of how you think you want to play: just smooth, everything seems second nature and I thought that if I could put a little bit of oomph behind that – well, that's my job as the coach to motivate her and I think we're on pace," Werner said.

Richardson is, without question, the bona fide leader for Roosevelt. Over the years she has been a study in consistency. She has been the team's leading scorer since her freshman season and is a three-time All-OIA East First Team selection.

With each season that has passed, she has increased her level of production. She averaged 9.7 points per game in league play as a freshman. The following year she put up 15.5 points per game and bettered that number to 17.4 points per game as a junior a year ago. Richardson scored in double figures in all but one of Roosevelt's 13 league contests last season.

"I would say she's pretty much the type of basketball player for this day and age. I mean, she can do everything," Werner said of Richardson, a three-time All-Hawaii Honorable Mention pick.

"She can defend, she's kind of slender so she doesn't like to rebound or get in there, but is more of a finesse player. She can shoot, she likes to pull up, but the real special thing about her that I think goes unseen is she's a team-first kind of person," Werner said.

He went on, "Yes, she's scoring a lot of baskets, but she's really efficient and sometimes I think she's got to be more greedy in a sense, but my team is very young and the skill level drops off from her major."

Roosevelt's youthful roster includes four freshmen – three of whom are brand new to organized basketball – and just nine players in all.

"So Makelah's not coming out of the game," Werner stated. "Offensively, I'm not going to say it's built around her, but it's kind of run through her and she's been great both off the ball and on the ball."

It's not just on the offensive end that Richardson shines. Werner estimates that she likely is the league leader in blocked shots.

"She doesn't like contact, but she knows how to time it and can block shots. She really can do it all. I mean, if this was a fantasy draft, this is the number one pick, but her attitude is not like that. Normally when you get these talented types of kids, they might go off to the side because they're on their own level, but she's not that type. She gets with her teammates, jokes around and is just more with the girls and that's the special part about her," Werner added.

Ultimately, Werner is most excited about helping Richardson find a place to play collegiately.

"That's my whole goal: to get these kids to the next level. I mean, winning is good, but I'm trying to get these kids winning in life and into college," he said.

Outside of high school basketball, Richardson has spent years playing club basketball against top-tier competition across the country, including participating in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, one of the nation's premier AAU circuits.

"That's where all the top players play and they're winning games," Werner said. "So for her to be playing the amount of ball she's playing and playing against the nation's best players and then to come down and drop it here and be that same even person with our girls, it says a lot about her and the kind of teammate she is."

To say that Richardson has been a joy to coach wouldn't do her justice, Werner noted.

"To tell you the truth, with as much expectations that I had of her coming in, she's exceeded that as a person. I would say that I've never had an athlete that was so good and had so good of an attitude. If you're talking about an MVP top a team, I mean, it's easily her. The last game I took her out the last two minutes and she was the biggest cheerleader and that was probably the first time she's sat (on the bench) for years. She's just a great role model," Werner said.

The numbers certainly back up Werner's MVP claim. Richardson is averaging better than 23 points per game this season, including a career-best 37-point effort in a win over Kaimuki the day after Christmas. She is coming off a 33-point night last Thursday in an 18-point win over Castle that evened Roosevelt's record to 4-4 on the year.

"The girls are buying into what we're doing and it's not something easy that we're trying to do here. We're pushing the kids to do something that they never thought they could and they've been really accepting of the style of defense we're trying to play and Makelah's really bought into that so hopefully we're hitting our stride as a team," Werner said.

Werner's squad has faced further adversity with no home gym this season as Roosevelt is currently undergoing a renovation project to construct a new on-campus gymnasium that is projected to be completed over the summer. Subsequently, his team is forced to practice primarily on a less-than-regulation sized court at Noelani Elementary in Manoa valley.  

Despite that, the Rough Riders are riding a three-game win streak after a rough start to the season that saw them go 0-3 against the top three teams in the OIA East in Kailua, Kahuku and Moanalua.

"I always like to look at it as half-full and the kids are buying in. Makelah is the leader of the ship and I've just been really impressed with the girls and the way that they accepted me coming up there, so it's a great thing and I'm blessed to be coaching this group, for sure," Werner expressed.

Richardson the Rough Riders (4-4) will visit Kaiser Wednesday before they wrap up the regular season against Farrington Friday night.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Pihaeu Akiona, Hanalani — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha II 

Brooklyn Barrett, Le Jardin — Scored 19 points in a win over Island Pacific 

Kaya Blum, St. Andrew's — Scored 18 points in a win over La Pietra 

Lily Buden, Maui Prep — Scored 17 points in a win over Seabury Hall 

Bryia Carenio, Waiakea — Scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Juseana Delatori, Lahainaluna — Scored 21 points in a loss to Baldwin 

Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha — Scored 19 points in a win over Punahou and scored 18 points in a win over Bakersfield Christian 

Myah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 21 points in a win over Farrington 

Alyssa Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 15 points in a win over Kauai 

Pua Herrington, Maryknoll — Scored 19 points with 10 rebounds, three steals, one assist and a block in a loss to Iolani 

Leila Hooper-Phifer, Molokai — Scored 19 points in a win over Seabury Hall 

Makana Kamakeeaina, Kahuku — Scored 16 points in a win over Kaiser 

Justice Kekauoha, Iolani — Scored 18 points with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Maryknoll 

Ellana Klemp, Hanalani — Scored 16 points in a win over University Lab 

Sienna Lamblack, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Shailoh Liilii, Moanalua — Scored 21 points in a win over Castle 

Emma Mangalao, Sacred Hearts — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha II 

Kaila Marquez, Kohala — Scored 18 points with 10 steals, five assists and three rebounds in a win over Christian Liberty 

Hailey Mata, Waimea — Scored 19 points in a win over Kapaa 

Sophia Moniz, Pahoa — Scored 16 points in a win over Kealakehe 

Jazmyn Navarro, Kau — Scored 17 points in a win over Hilo 

Brielle Nueku, Damien — Scored 16 points in a win over Iolani II

Kyra Okuyama, Maui — Scored 14 points with seven rebounds, five assists, five steals and one block in a win over Kekaulike 

Mahealani Pang, Kohala — Scored 17 points with three assists, three steals and two rebounds in a win over Keaau 

Sierra Ramos, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 18 points in a win over Sacred Hearts, scored 19 points in a win over Iolani II and scored 21 points in a win over Damien 

Taira Samiano, Kapaa — Scored 22 points in a loss to Waimea 

Taylor Schnitzer, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 19 points in a win over Baldwin 

Darsee Seegmiller, Maui — Scored 16 points with six rebounds, two steals and one block in a win over Kekaulike

Scout Smith, Maui Prep — Scored 17 points in a win over Seabury Hall 

Adriana Jayne Soriano, Kohala — Scored 17 points with six rebounds and two assists in a win over Christian Liberty  and scored 17 points with four rebounds and one assist in a win over Keaau 

Rayah Soriano, Iolani — Scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Salpointe Catholic 

Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell — Scored 18 points in a win over Kapolei 

Alina Stephenson, Kalani — Scored 20 points in a win over Kalaheo and scored 21 points in a win over Farrington 

Serenity Tacgere, Moanalua — Scored 18 points in a win over Castle 

Kelii Tavares, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 20 points in a win over Island Pacific 

Jennessey Tomas-Faumui, Farrington — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kailua 

Filinga Tuifua, Damien — Scored 16 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Tasha Ukauka, Kalaheo — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kalani 

Hailey Ryann Visaya, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 21 points in a win over Baldwin 

Jasmine Williams, Iolani II — Scored 17 points in a win over University Lab 

Posia Wily, Kahuku — Scored 18 points in a win over Kaiser 

Annastaziah Wright, Punahou — Scored 17 points in a loss to Estrella Foothills

Audrey Zwicker, Le Jardin — Scored 16 points in a win over La Pietra 

GIRLS SOCCER

Darwynn Ayling, Kalaheo — Scored the lone goal in a win over Castle

Samantha Cabrera, Honokaa — Scored three goals in a win over Kau 

Mia Chow, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Kau 

Kaila Correa, Pearl City — Scored the lone goal in a win over Leilehua 

Janeane Fonoimoana, Kahuku — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington

Ailani Franklin, Waiakea — Scored three goals in a win over Hawaii Prep

Camryn Gouveia, Kamehameha — Scored the lone goal in a win over Iolani 

Kekaihulali Halpern, Hilo — Scored two goals in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Abby Hironaka, Iolani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Punahou 

Deizha Lyn Jacinto, Waipahu — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua 

Kendra Knapp, Waimea — Scored two goals in a win over Island School 

Destiny Look, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

Kayla Manipon, Campbell — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Rory Matsumoto-Hussey, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani

Madisyn Meyers, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored four goals in a win over Kealakehe 

Aina Nakamura, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin

Kylena Paredes, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

Anyah Pedro, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin 

Kelsyn Stefanik, Radford — Assisted on two goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Sabre Telles, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Aileah Villatora, Kauai — Scored three goals in a win over Kapaa 

Awaikapanahenahe Waipa, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Kau