Izaiah Koko is your typical, easy-going teenager. Except when he's on the baseball diamond. 

Koko, a third-year player on the Maui High baseball team, fills a number of different roles for the Sabers. When the 5-foot-7, 165-pound lefty is pitching, he's typically playing first base but can also play all three outfield positions as well. 

In a three-game series of Lahainaluna to open the Maui Interscholastic League season last week, Koko put his varied skillset on display. He was the winning pitcher in the opening game and batted .429 over the course of the sweep of the Lunas. 

"He's a senior and he's one of the captains and leaders out there and this is his time," Maui coach Mike Sado said of Koko, who is in his second season as part of the Sabers' three-man rotation of starting pitchers. 

Koko was the third starter a year ago as a junior, when he posted a 4-1 record with a 2.17 earned run average on his way to All-Hawaii Second Team honors as a utility player. 

"He's probably one of the hardest workers on the team. He stays after practice, takes batting practice, so he works hard. He's not the biggest and not the strongest, but he's determined," Sado said. 

Sado produced several solid outings last season — including a complete game one-hitter against Kamehameha-Maui — but none bigger his six-innings of shutout ball he threw in the semifinal round of the state tournament to lead Maui High past Saint Louis and into the championship game. 

"He's a player that we don't have to worry about because we know he's going to be ready, ready to go. We just gotta let him know when he's going to go and then mentally, he's going to be prepared. He knows who he is physically and mentally and he's always going to be in the ball game. Every time he steps on the mound, he's locked in and ready to go," Sado described. 

Prior to taking over for longtime coach Chase Corniel this season, Sado served as an assistant on the varsity staff. He was also Koko's coach at the junior varsity level three years ago. 

"I got to know the kids, including Koko, and got to know what they can do and their potential and it really helps in seeing them develop and mentally how they can handle stuff. For Koko, he's mentally strong," Sado added. 

Koko has a four-pitch arsenal that includes a fastball, curveball, slider and a change-up. Sado noted that Koko throws both a four-seam and two-seam fastball of differing speeds. He also was quick to point out that one thing Koko won't do on the mound is blow fastballs by hitters. 

"He doesn't overpower anybody, but he tries to spot his pitches and kind of relief on that. He tends to nibble so he's really crafty on the mound," Sado said. 

Sado said the Sabers rely heavily on another veteran behind the plate in Nicholas Nashiwa, who calls the pitches from his vantage point. 

"Nick's pretty smart and he knows most of the batters in the MIL and because he plays summer league with (Hawaii) Elite he pretty much knows the strengths of the batters when we go to states and stuff, so we depend on him to call the pitches and he's been doing a great job calling the game," Sado added. 

Koko relied on his craftiness to keep Lahainaluna's batter off balance last Thursday. He scattered six hits and a walk over five innings of work and allowed two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts. Koko registered 52 of his 78 total pitches for strikes and registered first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 23 batters he faced. 

"He was kind of shaky early on, but as the game went on he settled down. I think it's just the nerves for him, trying to get out the adrenaline — so I really try to have them get out and just run around — but he needs to kind of learn to come into the game not so pumped up, but we know we can depend on him as far as throwing strikes, being accurate, hitting his spots, keeping runners close, so overall he's matured a lot since he was a freshman and we'll depend on him a lot," Sado said. 

In addition to his work on the mound that day, Koko batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored out of the second spot in the order. Sado describes him as a well-versed contact hitter. 

"He can hit and run, he'll move the runner over and he's a great bunter. Basically he goes with the pitch outside to left field — he's been working on that — but he'll go up the middle and he's a great two-slot hitter because we're banking on the fact that our leadoff guy will get on and then we got (Ekolu) Arai and Nashiwa in the back of him, so we depend on Koko to move the runner over," Sado said. 

Koko played first base for the final two games of the series. In Friday's 10-0 win for the Sabers, he was beaned three times and came around to score each time. 

"He has pretty good speed and overall he's smart on the bases. He'll take the extra base if needed, but he's really good at reading dirt balls so we don't have to worry about him on the base paths a whole lot. Probably our top four guys I give them the green light; they're really smart and can read pitchers really well," Sado said. 

In Saturday's series finale, Koko had an RBI, doubled, drew a walk and stole a base to help Maui High to a 3-0 win. Sado added that Koko's defensive prowess at first base shouldn't be overlooked either. 

"He's our best digger and he can field bunts really well, off the mound as well as at first base, so we depend on him to mostly call the defense and he picks balls really well. He's a short guy, but he's the best agility wise and has the best foot work. We need somebody that can move at first base because in our league they bunt a lot," Sado detailed. 

Koko, along with Nashiwa and Arai make up the triumvirate of leadership for the Sabers this spring. Each of them, Sado explained, provides a different style of leadership. 

"Koko is the lead by example guy, Arai is the emotional leader — he just thrives on emotion, sometimes too much and it gets him into trouble — and then Nashiwa is the overall, keep-everybody-in-line guy," Sado said. 

He went on with regard to Koko: "He's a quiet leader. He leads by example and he doesn't have too much to say, but just his actions out there on the field speaks for itself. The players really respect him and whenever he speaks, they listen. He doesn't say much, but when he steps on the field he's intense."

Off the field, however, Koko is anything but. 

"He likes to fish. He does a lot of shoreline fishing and he's just an overall mellow, easy-going, reggae-music kind of guy. We're looking forward to this year with him. I told him just go out there, relax and perform and that the success will come if he continues to work at it, but I expect big things out of him. We hope that he can produce like last year and now that everybody knows who he is and what he's got, he's going to have to be on his game. Like I said though, he's one of the hardest workers and it's good to see him experience the success that he's having," Sado said. 

Maui High is ranked third in this week's ScoringLive Power rankings. Koko and the Sabers (3-0) have a bye this week before they return to action with a three-game series against Kekaulike (0-3) next week Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Maehara Stadium in Wailuku. 

BASEBALL

Kaysen Abara, Iolani — Allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout and one walk in five innings pitched in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Keaka Alana, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 4 with four RBI, a stolen base and four runs scored in a win over Kalaheo 

Colten Amai Nakagawa, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored and allowed one run on two hits with six strikeouts and three walks in four innings pitched in a win over Saint Louis 

Jayson Au Hoy, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua 

Jake Barcena, Lanai — Batted 2 for 5 with three RBI in a loss to Molokai 

Jacob Barner, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and allowed one run on no hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning win over Waialua 

Noah Bernal, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Leilehua 

Murray Brown V, Seabury Hall — Struck out 13 batters, walked two and allowed two hits in a five-inning shutout of Kulanihakoi 

Joshua Clawson, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with two walks and an RBI in a loss to Kaiser 

Xavi De Alba, Radford — Allowed two runs on seven hits with 11 strikeouts and one walk in 6 1/3 innings pitched in a win over Kahuku 

Rico Gazelle, Waianae — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kaimuki 

Mana Heffernan, Saint Louis — Doubled, walked twice, drove in three runs, stole two bases and scored three times in a win over Maryknoll 

Peyton Hilacion, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kalaheo 

Rico Gazelle, Waianae — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Nanakuli 

Braxton Goo, Aiea — Allowed two runs on two hits with three stikeouts and two walks in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a loss to Waipahu 

James Asher Halik, Seabury Hall — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, two runs scored, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kulanihakoi 

Brennan Higa, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 5 with a triples, one walk and three RBI in a win over Moanalua 

Kai Hirayama, Mililani — Struck out nine batters, walked none and allowed one hit in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waipahu 

Jayden Hunt, Kailua — Allowed one run on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks in five innings pitched in a win over Kaiser 

Elai Iwanaga, Kamehameha — Struck out 11 batters, walked none and did not allow a hit over six scoreless innings in a win over PAC-5

Jerome Kalanui, Maui — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and a stolen base in a win over Lahainaluna 

Brayden Kaya, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in a loss to Kalani 

Hunter Kealoha, Nanakuli — Allowed one unearned run on five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in five innings of relief in a win over McKinley 

Laakea Ko, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Kekaulike 

Kaalekahi Kuhaulua, Kailua — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBI in a loss to Roosevelt 

Kimo Kupihea, Kapaa — Struck out 11 batters, walked one and threw a complete-game no-hitter in a win over Kauai 

Kaimana Lau Kong, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBI in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Malosi Mataafa-Alferos, Mililani — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Waipahu 

Michael Murata, McKinley — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, one walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in a loss to Nanakuli 

Koa Nakagawa, Konawaena — Allowed three earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Hilo 

Kaio Nakayama, Molokai — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in a win over Lanai 

Nicholas Nashiwa, Maui — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna

Alexander O'Brien, Kalaheo — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk, four RBI and a run scored in a win over McKinley 

Aaron Omuro, Maui — Allowed one hit with six strikeouts and one walk in six innings pitched in a win over Lahainaluna

Greyson Osbun, Kamehameha — Allowed one walk and no hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Punahou 

Keagan Pacheco, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kealakehe 

Jonah Parker, Mililani — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and four RBI in a win over Pearl City 

Jandon Perreira, Saint Louis — Allowed two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in five innings pitched in a win over Maryknoll 

Samstyn Quel, Waianae — Allowed one unearned run on no hits with six strikeouts and no walks in a five-inning win over Nanakuli 

Reyn Raguinden, Molokai — Batted 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Lanai 

Everest Rodriguez, Farrington — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, one walk, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Waialua 

Tanner Tammarine, Leilehua — Allowed one hit with three strikeouts and four walks in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Campbell 

Colby Taniguchi, Kalani — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Moanalua 

Benjamin Taylor, Kalaheo — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple, three RBI, three stolen bases and four runs scored in a win over McKinley 

Luke Tausivi, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, one walk, an RBI and a run scored in a win over Castle 

Zyon Telles-Kuwahara, Radford — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, two triples, four RBI, two stolen bases and four runs scored in a win over Waialua and batted 4 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku 

Josyah Umeda, Honokaa — Allowed two unearned runs and two walks with 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 hitless innings of relief in a win over Kau 

Kaleb Wada, Mililani — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, one walk and a run scored and allowed two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Pearl City 

Justice Wakatmatsu, Baldwin — Allowed one hit with four strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Kekaulike 

Allin Yap, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, one stolen base and three runs scored in a loss to Saint Louis 

Tanner Young, Kalaheo — Allowed one run on two hits with 11 strikeouts and two walks in four innings pitched and batted 1 for 1 with three walks, a stolen base and three runs scored in a win over McKinley 

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Kamakana Ferreira, Kamehaeha-Maui — Had 16 digs and three aces in a five-set win over Kekaulike 

Cody Gardanier, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 17 kills and 14 digs in a five-set win over Baldwin and had 20 kills, 15 digs, three block assists and two aces in a five-set win over Kekaulike 

Koa Holts, Castle — Had 38 digs and two set assists in a five-set win over Kahuku 

Elau Hoopai-Waikoloa, Kalani — Had 13 kills, four aces and one solo block in a three-set win over Kaiser

Piikoa Kamoku, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 14 kills, 18 digs, three aces and two block assists in a five-set win over Baldwin and had 16 kills, 15 digs, three block assists and an ace in a five-set win over Kekaulike 

Keahi Kaneakua, Radford — Had 13 kills, 12 set assists, eight digs and one ace in a three-set win over Waialua 

Julius Momoe-Mitchell, Campbell — Had 14 kills, five digs, one solo block, one block assist and an ace in a three-set win over Nanakuli and had 14 kills, two digs, four block assists, one solo block and three aces in a three-set win over Kapolei 

Carson Nakamura, Mililani — Had 21 set assists, 12 kills, four block assists, one dig and an ace in a four-set loss to Aiea 

Reven Otsuka, Pearl City — Had 19 kills and one ace in a five-set loss to Waipahu and had 14 kills in a four-set loss to Aiea 

Landon Paahana, Leilehua — Had 32 set assists, one kill and an ace in a four-set loss to Waipahu 

Tyler Payne, Leilehua — Had 17 kills and a solo block in a four-set win over Leilehua 

Damien Pili-Rumusod, Castle — Had 22 set assists, 10 digs, one kill and one ace in a five-set win over Kahuku 

Zachary Prangnell, Maui — Had 14 kills, two digs, one solo block, one block assist and an ace in a three-set win over Lahainaluna 

Julian Quartero-Echalas, Aiea — Had 14 kills, nine digs, one solo block, one block assists, one set assist and an ace in a four-set win over Mililani 

Nahue Sadowski, Castle — Had 14 kills, 12 digs, one solo block and a block assist in a five-set win over Kahuku 

Khendel Scully, Aiea — Had 21 kills, 14 set assists, nine digs, three block assists and two solo blocks in a four-set win over Mililani 

Pau Spencer, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 56 set assists, five digs, four kills and one block assist in a five-set win over Baldwin and had 46 set assists, 14 digs, two kills and a block assist in a five-set win over Kekaulike 

Josiah Talamoa, Pearl City — Had 20 kills, five aces and two block assists in a five-set loss to Waipahu and had 31 kills in a four-set loss to Aiea 

Kitiona Uli, Campbell — Had 29 set assists, four digs, three aces, two kills and one block assist in a three-set win over Nanakuli 

GIRLS WATER POLO

Jade Brown, Baldwin — Scored six goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Silas Buryak, Moanalua — Scored seven goals in a loss to Mililani 

Ava Carlson, Kamehameha — Scored five goals in a win over Le Jardin

Olivia Cluney, Punahou II — Scored five goals in a win over Iolani II 

Ellie Dallas, Moanalua — Scored six goals in a loss to Kaiser 

Kiana Feeney, Kalaheo — Scored five goals in a win over Kalani 

Olivia Henderson, Kalaheo — Scored five goals in a win over Kalani 

Koali Ito, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored five goals in a win over Keaau 

Kailoa Kerber, Punahou — Scored four goals in a win over Iolani 

Sola Laliberte, Kealakehe — Scored four goals in a win over Keaau 

Alyxia Lyons, Kekaulike — Scored seven goals in a loss to Seabury Hall 

Gabby Madariaga, Baldwin — Scored four goals in a win over Seabury Hall 

Hope McCarren, Punahou — Scored four goals in a win over Iolani

Lehiwa McElheny, Mid-Pacific — Scored four goals in a win over Le Jardin 

Noelani Moline, Hilo — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Christina Naish, Seabury Hall — Scored six goals in a win over Kekaulike 

Elliana Schiffner, Kaiser — Scored five goals in a win over Moanalua 

Sienna Settle, Le Jardin — Scored four goals in a loss to Mid-Pacific 

Hannah White, Kealakehe — Scored four goals in a win over Keaau 

Kanoe Wong, Roosevelt — Scored five goals in a win over Mililani 

SOFTBALL

Keira Agdeppa, Honokaa — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, three walks, four RBI, three stolen bases and five runs scored in a win over Pahoa 

Kahiau Aina, Mililani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, one walk, four RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kapolei 

Sophie Alo, Campbell — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, triple, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua 

Taileen Asoau, Campbell — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Nanakuli 

J. Barrozo, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 3 with two home runs and six RBI in a win over Campbell 

Hope Batulayan-Cadorna, Baldwin — Allowed two earned runs on seven hit with two strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game win over Maui

Siitia Baughn, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, one walk, three RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Waipahu 

Katelyn Bello, Lanai — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hana 

Faatamalii Brown, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBI in a win over Iolani 

Paige Brunn, Punahou — Allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Maryknoll 

G. Bulusan, Maui — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, one walk and two RBI in a loss to Baldwin 

Ciara Fortuno, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a run scored and allowed one run on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks in six innings pitched in a win over Waianae 

Kaienna Fuentes-Arellano, Campbell — Allowed three earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game win over Leilehua 

Kalei Guila, Castle — Batted 2 for 2 with three walks, four RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Kaimuki 

Sheyzhelle Iokia, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBI in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Hunter Jackson, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double, one RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaiser 

J. Kaawa-Kawai, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, double, three RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Campbell 

T. Kahsen, Pahoa — Struck out 13 batters, walked three and allowed two hits in a complete-game shutout of Honokaa 

Karlee Rose Keale, Kapaa — Allowed one run on six hits with one strikeout and one walk in a complete-game win over Waimea 

Austen Kinney, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Maryknoll 

Jaycia Silva, Honokaa — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles, one walk and two runs scored in a win over Pahoa 

Phoenix Sky Lumabao, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, one RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Kailua 

Paige Maeda, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in a loss to Maryknoll 

Briana Maio-Silva, Baldwin — Batted 2 for 2 with two home runs, one walk, four RBI and four runs scored in a win over Maui 

Jaicie Martinez, Kapaa — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI in a win over Waimea 

Jadyn Miller, Waialua — Batted 4 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a win over Farrington 

Maile Oda, Pearl City — Batted 4 for 4 with three RBI, one stolen base and a run scored in a win over Aiea 

Saunette Oshiro, Pearl City — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored in a win over Kailua 

T. Otani, Kekaulike — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles, one RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Brandi Pahia-Obra, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI and allowed two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk in a four-inning win over Waipahu 

Kylie Paris, Castle — Homered, drove in two runs, stole two bases and scored three times and allowed one earned run on eight hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Kaimuki

Emma Parker, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, double, one walk, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kapolei 

Nylon Peneueta, Aiea — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Pearl City 

Skyla Saito, Kapolei — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, double, one walk, four RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Nanakuli 

Koltyn Sergent, Baldwin — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over Kekaulike 

Haley Shinjo, Pearl City — Allowed one unearned run on one hit with six strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Kailua 

Palehua Silva, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, double, two walks and three RBI in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Taja Souza, Aiea — Allowed one unearned run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk in a five-inning win over Kalaheo 

A. Tamayose, Kekaulike — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Ducky Vea, Waimea — Homered, drove in three runs and scored three times in a win over Kauai

H. Williams, Kekaulike — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and allowed one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in a six-inning win over Lahainaluna 

Rylee Yamasaki, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in a loss to Moanalua and batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double, one walk, six RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaimuki 

Brynn Yamashita, Kapaa — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, double, one walk, two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Waimea 

Sienna Yamashita, Kapaa — Batted 5 for 5 with two doubles, one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Waimea