Long before Riya Tobosa arrived on the campus of Pearl City High School, girls basketball coach Kyle Martin had heard rumblings about her pending transfer. 

Martin, a classroom teacher at the school and a member of the Chargers' class of 2003, shares a number of friends in common with Tobosa's father, Josh, a 2001 Pearl City alum. 

"I had heard from some of my friends that Josh has a daughter that might play," Martin recalled. 

Riya (pronounced Rah-yah) Tobosa attended Palisades Elementary School before her family moved to Washington State, where she had resided until the end of her junior year of high school. 

"Her dad was in the Coast Guard and so they moved away — I think they were in the Seattle area — but the dad got out and decided to bring her home for her senior year … so we got kind of lucky," Martin said. 

To say that it has been a happy homecoming for Tobosa would be an understatement. 

Tobosa is the state's leading scorer with an average of 28.7 points per game in league play. Including the preseason, she is averaging 20.7 points per game. The 5-foot-10 Tobosa has displayed the versatility to play small forward, power forward or center for Martin's squad. 

"When we heard she was supposedly moving back, we were like, ‘that's cool, we'll take what we can get,' " Martin said, "but when she walked into the gym, it was like, ‘wow, that's a post! It's a tall girl!' "

It was actually during the fall sports season, when Tobosa was playing volleyball, that she took the initiative to introduce herself to Martin. 

"A couple of our girls are also on the volleyball team and I'm always telling them that we need girls and they mentioned ‘this new girl, Riya, we think she plays.' One day, during conditioning, she came over and introduced herself — super professional, very pleasant — and said, ‘Hi, my name is Riya and I play basketball. I look forward to seeing you after volleyball,' " Martin said. 

Once Tobosa joined the basketball squad, it did not take Martin and his coaching staff long to realize they had acquired a special talent. 

"Because she played stateside all these guys, she just brings instant energy, competitiveness and athleticism — she's super athletic," Martin said. 

"Both offensively and defensively she's active on the glass with rebounds, she can post up if we want to feed the post, at the same time she can shoot the 3 and she can handle the ball a little bit," he added. 

Martin pointed out that during the non-league portion of the schedule, Tobosa spent more time outside of the paint, but given the distinct size advantage she gives the Chargers against Division-II competition, she has been a stalwart in the post during the regular season. 

"We've been able to dump the ball into her a little bit more because of her size advantage, but in the preseason when we played some ILH and D1 teams, we were using her inside and outside, so truthfully for us she could play guard or forward," Martin said. 

Tobosa put up five games of 20-or-more points during the preseason, including 27 in a win over Damien on Dec. 29. In Pearl City's six games against OIA D2 competition, however, Tobosa has scored no fewer than 24 points each time out. She notched 32, 33 and 32 points in a three-game stretch against Kalaheo, Aiea and Waianae, respectively. 

"The thing about her is she's super efficient with her shooting. She's able to score a lot and she doesn't need a ton of shots, which is always good. Defensively, because of her size, she's our anchor and she can help with (stopping) dribble penetration and help with rebounds. She runs track so she can sprint all game without getting tired — she's just active all over the place," Martin said. 

With Tobosa leading the way, the Chargers are averaging nearly 54 points per game, while holding opponents to an average of 33 points a game. 

"We're just so blessed to have her because she just helped the process jump a hundred steps forward. She's the type of player where we can run stuff for her and she'll finish, or she can clean up the boards and kind of get her own, too. She gives us flexibility to do so many different things that we wouldn't have been able to, so we're just so blessed and grateful to have her," Martin expressed. 

Pearl City saw mixed results during the preseason with a 7-6 record, but has gotten off to a 6-0 start in division to sit in a tie for first place atop the OIA D2 standings. Its closest result was a 17-point win over Waipahu back in mid-December. 

"It's just been an amazing season. We were in D1 last year and the reality was that we'd be moving down to D2. We expected to be competitive and a factor in the D2 race, but with Riya, I told the girls that we might even be a favorite now. We can contend, for sure, and we might even be able to look at the state level because we have a little size now to compete on the state level," Martin said. 

Tobosa struggled at times with converting at the free-throw line earlier in the year, but has knocked down 73.7 percent of her free throws during league play. She made eight of 10 against Kalaheo and followed that up with a 7-of-8 effort against Aiea. Martin noted the significance of Tobosa's efficiency at the charity stripe. 

"It just gives you that comfort — almost like that security blanket —that confidence if they start fouling her, because especially in the post you're always getting hacked, so knowing she can knock ‘em down helps. She takes free throws very seriously and it can be deflating if they're fouling you and you're not making free throws because that's free points, so her improvement in that area just helped with confidence and it rubbed off to the guards so they're taking it serious and everybody's getting better at free throws as the year goes on," Martin said. 

Tobosa's acclimation to her new school and teammates was on an accelerated path, Martin explained. 

"I think it helped that one of my girls kind of remembered Riya from elementary at Palisades, but the team embraced her right away. We did spring league and summer league and we were getting better, but I think everybody understood that we are undersized, so they embraced that we have a post and they all get along — no dramas — they're all good kids and it's a really tight bunch," Martin said. 

While Tobosa's production has been off the charts, Martin noted that what isn't necessarily reflected by the numbers is Tobosa's character. 

"Something that's been so great about her is her leadership. From day one she's been vocal but not abrasive. Some people are just barking and it rubs people the wrong way. She's been encouraging and always supportive," Martin said. 

"Even with our 10th, 11th or 12th girl on the roster that's not so skilled perhaps, she's always been humble and patient and she'll help them in drills. Late in the game when we put our second and third string in, she's still on the bench cheering for them. She's still engaged and so the rest of the team is engaged. Her attitude, her personality won't show in the states; she's so humble and has such a positive attitude so it's been very easy to coach her," Martin said. 

In a 51-28 road win over Castle last week, Tobosa poured in a game-high 25 points, including nine in the first quarter. She tallied 10 points in the third quarter, when the Chargers outscored the Knights 18-1 to find some separation. 

"The 3 ball started to fall a little bit for us in that third quarter. We were struggling with turnovers in the first half, but I think part of that is we've been trying to get ready for the playoffs so we've been working on our transition. I told the girls that I liked our decisions and what we were trying to do, but the execution wasn't there. In the third quarter we went to the perimeter a little bit because the 3 ball was hot and we switched over to man defense to lock them down and it just opened up that way in that game," Martin said. 

Not only does Tobosa excel on the hardwood, she is also quite the diligent student. Martin said Tobosa's grade point average sits around "3.7 or 3.8."

"She really wants to play basketball in college and she's been in touch with some (junior colleges), some NAIA schools — she's very much committed to her athletics, whatever sport is in season," Martin described. 

Tobosa and the Chargers (13-6 overall, 6-0 OIA D2) have already secured a spot in the upcoming OIA tournament. They close out the regular season Wednesday night against fellow-unbeaten Kaiser. Tipoff in Hawaii Kai is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Breyanna Alfonso, Island School — Scored 19 points in a loss to Waimea 

Brooklyn Barrett, Le Jardin — Scored 24 points in a win over St. Andrews

Mikaili Barrett-Payomo, Christian Liberty — Scored 19 points in a loss to Keaau 

Liliana Brandt, Punahou II — Scored 18 points in a loss to Iolani II 

Bryia Carenio, Waiakea — Scored 21 points in a win over Keaau 

Hallie Chock, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 22 points in a win over University Lab and scored 18 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha — Scored 19 points in a win over Maryknoll 

Courtney Escobar, Molokai — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Alyssa Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 23 points in a win over Kauai 

Cristina Harrison, Hanalani — Scored 21 points in a win over University Lab 

Haikela Hiraishi, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha 

Lauae Kamakana, Kaiser — Scored 18 points in a win over McKinley

Justice Kekauoha, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou 

Sienna Lamblack, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 17 points in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Kourtney Marcos, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points in a win over Damien 

Amelia McDaniel, Mililani — Scored 17 points in a loss to Radford 

Amelia Meadows, Sacred Hearts — Scored 17 points with four blocks and three steals in a win over Hawaiian Mission 

Rylee Paranada, Kamehameha — Scored 23 points in a win over Maryknoll 

Aliyah Spencer, Maui — Scored 20 points in a win over Baldwin 

Shantay Stroman, Radford — Scored 22 points in a win over Mililani 

Leann Mae Tolentino, Lahainaluna — Scored 17 points in a win over Kekaulike 

Kamaile Valido-Mershon, Leilehua — Scored 18 points in a win over Nanakuli 

Halia Vicoy-Fuimano, Island School — Scored 26 points in a win over Kapaa 

Ava Yoshimura, Iolani II — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou II 

Audrey Zwicker, Le Jardin — Scored 18 points in a win over St. Andrews

BOYS BASKETBALL

Excel Bonoan, Kau — Scored 30 points in a loss to Honokaa 

Naau Alii Brown-Santiago, Castle — Scored 20 points in a win over Waialua 

Daelen Castillo, Kau — Scored 23 points in a loss to Honokaa 

Darius Chizer, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Kamehameha 

Levi Damo-Agcaoili, Damien — Scored 23 points in a win over Hanalani 

Noah Galletes, Konawaena — Scored 21 points in a win over Waiakea 

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points in a win over Hilo 

Garrick Imamura, Kalani — Scored 22 points in a win over Pearl City 

Nai Kalauokaaea, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points in a win over Kaiser 

KJ Kanno, Lanai — Scored 25 points in a win over Kulanihakoi

Layden Kauka, Kohala — Scored 22 points with 13 rebounds, four steals and three assists in a win over Kealakehe and scored 20 points with eight assists, three rebounds and three steals in a win over Parker 

Russell Kinere, Kaimuki — Scored 25 points in a win over Kalani 

Dylan Kunz, Kailua — Scored 12 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to Kahuku 

Evan Manarpaac, Baldwin — Scored 24 points in a win over Maui 

Keanu Meacham, Saint Louis — Scored 22 points in a win over Punahou 

Beckon Pierce, Le Jardin — Scored 11 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Hawaii Baptist 

Maddox Pung, Kailua — Scored 21 points in a win over Kaiser 

Hunter Sarsuelo, Punahou II — Scored 21 points in a win over Maryknoll II 

AJ Stephenson, Kalani — Scored 23 points in a loss to Kaimuki 

Hunter Suzuki, Maryknoll II — Scored 26 points in a loss to Punahou II 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 33 points in a win over Kau 

Yoshua Vernes, Hanalani — Scored 26 points in a win over Island Pacific 

Lawaia Walsh, Kulanihakoi — Scored 25 points in a loss to Lanai 

Kingston Wingert, Kaiser — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kalaheo 

BOYS SOCCER

Micah Chung, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Makua Lani 

Luke Emhof, Molokai — Scored two goals in a win over Kulanihakoi

Armando Gamez, Kalaheo — Scored four goals in a win over Waialua 

Hayden Glenn, Kalaheo — Scored three goals and assisted on two others in a win over Waialua and scored three goals in a win over Farrington 

Lorenzo Gonzalez, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Rayden Handy, Keaau — Scored three goals in a win over Konawaena 

Asa Hironaka, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Le Jardin 

Paul Horcajo, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki 

Toranosuke Kikuchi, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt 

Brady Lau, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha 

Makakoa Leapaga, Waianae — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua and scored three goals in a win over Waialua 

Hunter McClain, Kulanihakoi — Scored two goals in a loss to Molokai 

Dane Nakagawa, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a loss to Kekaulike 

Kalo Nakayama, Molokai — Scored four goals in a win over Kulanihakoi

Yutaro Otsuka, Kailua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaiser

Samuel Ponce, Moanalua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kailua 

Aito Sameshima, Kalani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaiser 

Mikah Sampaga, Mililani — Scored three goals in a win over Kapolei 

Daniel Valderama-Rojas, Kaimuki — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua 

GIRLS SOCCER

Tatelyn Ah Mow-Wauke, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalaheo 

Kalei Blas, Konawaena — Scored two goals in a win over Keaau 

Madie Buczyna, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Hilo 

Tae Detwiler, Hawaii Prep — Scored the lone goal in a win over Konawaena 

Natalyn Fujikane, Mililani — Scored two goals in a tie with Campbell 

Juliah Hayes, Roosevelt — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley 

Maryleimomilani Kohagura, Leilehua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapolei 

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

Sydney Manibog, Island School — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kauai 

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

Kaahupahau Montgomery, Kamehameha — Scored the lone goal in a win over Iolani 

Aina Nakamura, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha 

Navaeh Ranis, Baldwin — Scored two goals in a win over Maui 

Sabre Telles-Kuwahara, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli