Damien boys basketball coach Keith Spencer is unabashed in his admiration of Levi Damo-Agcaoili. 

Damo-Agcaoili, a four-year starter and team captain for the Monarchs, has shown measured growth and maturation both on and off the court in the eyes of Spencer, who has spent the last five years of his veteran coaching career at Damien. 

"He's just a great kid. He started with me since his freshman year and he's come a long way," Spencer said of Damo-Agcaoili, a 5-foot-8 senior guard. 

There has been no shortage of accolades or recognition for Damo-Agcaoili dating back to his freshman year. He averaged a team-best 8.6 points per game that season and was named to the All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II second team. 

As a sophomore the following season, Damo-Agcaoili averaged 15.4 points per game and ranked among the top scorers in the ILH D2 that year. He went on to pick up All-ILH first team honors in 2024. 

Damo-Agcaoili earned repeat first team all-league honors as a junior last year, when he averaged 13.3 points per game and helped the Monarchs reach the D2 state tournament for the first time since they won it all in 2019. 

"I'm proud of Levi's development. In the beginning stages he felt like he had to carry the team, but I sat down with him and explained to him that we've got other players and if we get them involved, it can make his job easier. He's learned to trust his teammates and it shows his maturity. He listens to the coaches and the advice that we've given him and he's taken it to heart, so I'm proud of him for that," Spencer said. 

Damo-Agcaoili is one of three seniors — along with fellow-guard Kainoa Santos and center AJ Tuifua — who have been on the varsity team since their freshman season. The trio endured a difficult year that saw Damien go 5-10 that year. 

"I remember when me and Kainoa and AJ were freshmen and we were thrown into the fire. It was a rough year, but we just stuck it out and listened and trusted our coaches and now things are coming into fruition for us and I'm just really glad to be a part of this program and be a part of history," Damo-Agcaoili said. 

The Monarchs posted a 10-5 record in Damo-Agcaoili's sophomore season, but fell short of qualifying for the state tournament. They followed up that promising year by running the table last season, when they finished 12-0 in league play and placed sixth at states. 

Damien sat at 8-0 atop the ILH D2 standings two weeks ago, but suffered its first league loss in nearly two years when it fell at Le Jardin, 51-47, on Jan. 26. Damo-Agcaoili was held to 11 points in the defeat. 

"After that game we lost to Le Jardin, Levi was devastated, but I told him that sometimes we've got to take a different route," Spencer recalled. 

He added, "I told the team that we needed that loss. We had been beating everybody by twenty-something points and stemming from last year we were 20-0 (in ILH games) in two years going into that game, blowing out everybody in the ILH and just to get punched on the chin was a wake-up call that really, we needed."

Damo-Agcaoili echoed his coach's sentiments about the four-point loss at the hands of the Bulldogs. 

"Definitely. I mean, winning by double digits against every team made us a little complacent and we started to get a little too overconfident, too cocky, but the loss woke us up and showed us that we can be beaten. We really did kind of let loose for a bit, but after that loss we really tightened up again," Damo-Agcaoili said. 

He shared that the captains called a players-only meeting the day after the game. 

"We met, without the coaches, and we shared what we could be doing, what we should have done and that loss showed our mistakes and what we had to improve on. Ultimately, it did help us and showed us that all we had to do was bounce back," Damo-Agcaoili added. 

Two days after the loss, the Monarchs rebounded with a lopsided 71-30 win over Island Pacific to close out the ILH regular season. They then had a week to prepare for the winner-take-all rematch against Le Jardin last Wednesday. The one-game playoff would determine the league's lone representative to states. 

Spencer said that the time off allowed the coaching staff to game plan for what they expected the Bulldogs to do defensively against Damo-Agcaoili. 

"The last few times we played Le Jardin, they face-guarded him so I designed some plays where he would come off some picks and we needed him to go to the basket and he aggressively did that that night and got to the line. We told him that he had to find other ways besides shootings 3s and jumpers to score and he listened and he did that. He created some fouls and that was the difference because the game that we lost to them, he shot a lot of jumpers. This time around he put his head down and he went to the basket. He made some really good decisions that night and gave up the ball when to find open teammates, that's what stood out for me," Spencer said. 

Aside from the tactical adjustments, Damo-Agcaoili acknowledged that part of it was also adjusting his mental approach. 

"I had to think that these guys are always gonna be out to get me and I have to adjust to everything. I have to imagine that in every game situation I'm going to be guarded like that and I've gotten used to that, but at the same time I have my teammates and I can't do it without those guys feeding me and just believing in me. Those new plays wouldn't have worked without the guys setting good screens or finding me when I'm open; They always believe in me so I have to give credit to them," Damo-Agcaoili said. 

Damien held a 24-18 lead at halftime and eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter, when it outscored Le Jardin 19 to 8, en route to a 58-39 win. 

The Monarchs shot 24 free throws, Damo-Agcaoili was 5 of 10 from the stripe and made three 3-pointers. He finished with a game-high 26 points, which tied his season-high mark and was one point shy of a career high. 

Damo-Agcaoili and Spencer both pointed to the collective defensive effort as a key factor in the 19-point win over Le Jardin. 

"When we lost ot them we weren't playing our game. Our defense and communication weren't there, but going into this game we buckled down on defense. For a week straight in practice we worked on defense. We were always confident in our offensive ability, but it was mainly about defense. Our coaches always stress that our defense will lead to offense and it was a hard week of practice, our coaches really challenged us. We had to dig deep, especially on defense and communicate more, but it was a good week leading up to the Le Jardin game," Damo-Agcaoili said. 

Spencer admitted that it wasn't always easy to convince his players to play defense, but said that Damo-Agcaoili served as a catalyst in getting the rest of his teammates on board. 

"Levi played really good on-ball defense that game and that's the key to our success this year has been our team defense. They definitely want to go run and get up and down the court offensively and they realized that if we can get some steals and some rebounds then we can run and that's where Levi is at his best," Spencer said. 

Junior guard Wyatt Ho-Williams has also been instrumental in getting the Monarchs to transition quickly from defense to offense. 

"When Wyatt is getting steals and Levi is running to his spot, Wyatt finds him on transition 3s, if not, Levi is the one driving to the basket. So when the team got together and talked about it, they understood, especially Levi, that if we play defense, a lot of opportunities come out from that and they've bought into it and have been getting it done," Spencer added. 

Spencer's squad has been averaging better than 63 points per game, while holding opponents to a shade under 33 points each time out. 

Over the course of his lengthy coaching career, Spencer had successful runs at both Leilehua and Saint Louis before he took over the Damien program in 2020. Spencer calls Damo-Agcaoili the best shooter he's ever coached. 

Damo-Agcaoili, however, has put in work over the years to become more than a shooter. Spencer credits legendary Kalakaua Clinic founder Dennis Agena for working with Damo-Agcaoili on his ball handling. 

"He's really worked hard on that with coach Agena during the offseason the last three years and he's gotten better at that because he understands he can't just be a catch-and-shoot guy. He knows he needs to handle the ball and create his own shot and he's really developed the ability to score on different levels, but through it all this kid has always been humble. With all the success he's had, he's never been the kind of kid that has gotten caught up in his success. He's always working to get better and get his team better. He's such a humble kid and he's been really level headed; for him, it's all about winning," Spencer stated. 

Damo-Agcaoili's leadership has been pivotal to the camaraderie that the Monarchs have built this winter. 

"One of the best qualities about Levi is that his teammates like him. He's a well-liked guy, he cares about everybody — even the guys that don't play much, he's always concerned about them — and just that leadership that he's displayed this year has been a big plus for us," Spencer said. 

While Spencer has relished the last four years he's had Damo-Agcaoili on his team, opposing coaches can't wait to see him leave. 

"Some coaches keep asking me, ‘When is this guy gonna graduate?,' " Spencer laughed. 

Once his prep hoops career is complete, Damo-Agcaoili will take his talents to Greenville, Tenn. and Division-II Tusculum University, to whom he has given a verbal commitment. 

"It's gonna be different, East coast, but I'm really excited for the opportunity I have. All thanks to God and the support I've gotten from my family, my friends, my coaches for believing in me and my teammates. They always push me to do my best and always give my best at every practice, so I couldn't do it without them," Damo-Agcaoili said. 

Before he embarks on his collegiate endeavors, Damo-Agcaoili has one final week suit up in the purple and gold. 

Damien is seeded fourth in this week's Hawaii Army National Guard/HHSAA Division II Boys Basketball State Championships. Damo-Agcaoili and the Monarchs (18-9 overall, 10-1 ILH) open against fifth-seeded Kapaa in Wednesday's quarterfinal round. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kaimuki High School gym. 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Kela Briones, Iolani II — Scored 21 points in a win over Marknoll II

Josh Bush, Saint Louis II — Scored 21 points in a win over Punahou II 

Kyran Canete, Pahoa — Scored 40 points in a win over Honokaa and scored 29 points in a loss to Kohala 

Darius Chizer, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points in a loss to Maryknoll 

Chazen Dabalos-Vereze, Moanalua — Scored 21 points in a loss to Leilehua 

Vainuupo Fanuaea, Nanakuli — Scored 26 points in a loss to Mililani 

Trey Guillermo, Konawaena — Scored 23 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Troy Higashi, Mid-Pacific — Scored 18 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points in a win over Keaau and scored 18 points in a loss to Konawaena 

Layden Kauka, Kohala — Scored 27 points with nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block in a win over Hawaii Prep and scored 31 points with six rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a win over Pahoa 

Dylan Kunz, Kailua — Scored 11 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to Kahuku 

Chase LeBaron, Moanalua — Scored 20 points in a win over Kaiser 

Makoa Lindsey, Maui — Scored 22 points in a loss to Baldwin 

Kilinahe Mata-Goldmann, Kekaulike — Scored 23 points in a loss to Lahainaluna 

Kaiana Miller, Keaau — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Maddox Pung, Kailua — Scored 26 points with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a win over Mililani 

Kingdon Simmons, Hawaii Prep — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kohala 

Robert Smith, Leilehua — Scored 30 points in a win over Moanalua 

Hunter Suzuki, Maryknoll II — Scored 29 points in a loss to Iolani II 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 21 points in a loss to Pahoa 

Tui Tukimaka, Mililani — Scored 18 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a loss to Kailua

Amanaki Tuulangavalu, Kapaa — Scored 19 points in a win over Kauai 

Mission Uperesa-Thomas, Maryknoll — Scored 18 points in a loss to Iolani 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Jordin Baker, Kalani — Scored 30 points with four rebounds, seven steals and two assists in a win over Radford 

Naiara Bal, Maui — Scored 16 points with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in a loss to Mililani 

Shailan Benevides, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points with three steals and one assist in a loss to Sacred Hearts and scored 17 points with five steals, two rebounds and one assist in a win over Molokai 

Liliana Brandt, Punahou II — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani II

Harley Cabreros, Waiakea — Scored 12 points with 11 rebounds and one assist in a loss to Mililani 

Tamlyn Celestino, Hanalani — Scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals in a win over Aiea and scored 15 points with 10 rebounds, three steals, one assist and a block in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Melina Cudiamat, Sacred Hearts — Scored 15 points with four rebounds, two steals and one assist in a loss to Mid-Pacific 

Arieana Doran, Waiakea — Scored 19 points with 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in a loss to Mililani 

Coryn Doss, Radford — Scored 11 points with 12 rebounds in a loss to Kalani 

Chawai Dunhour, Kohala — Scored 15 points with 10 rebounds and two steals in a loss to Lanai and scored 21 points with five rebounds and one steal in a win over Kaiser 

Nihoa Dunn, Kamehameha — Scored 22 points with eight rebounds and a block in a win over Kalani, scored 16 points with 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block in a win over Mililani and scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a win over Iolani 

Destinee Dupree, Lanai — Scored 17 points with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block in a win over Kohala 

Charlotte Galloway, Iolani — Scored 17 points with eight rebounds and one assist in a loss to Kamehameha 

Alyssa Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 19 points with four steals, two rebounds and two assists in a win over Lanai 

Cristina Harrison, Hanalani — Scored 22 points with 16 rebounds, four blocks, one assist and a steal in a loss to Kaiser 

Lauae Kamakana, Kaiser — Scored 15 points with five rebounds, one assist and a block in a loss to Kohala 

Honor Kaniho, Lahainaluna — Scored 15 points with six rebounds, four steals and two assists in a loss to Moanalua 

Laakea Kaupe, Waimea — Scored 19 points with five steals, two rebounds and one assist in a win over Lanai 

Justice Kekauoha, Iolani — Scored 18 points with three rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Leilehua, scored 18 points with eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Campbell and scored 23 points with seven rebounds, four steals, one assist and a block in a win over Konawaena 

Sienna Lamblack, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 14 points with nine rebounds, five steals and three assists in a win over Pearl City 

Zaysah Liilii-Utu, Aiea — Scored 14 points with 11 rebounds, two steals, one assist and a block in a loss to Hanalani 

Kourtney Marcos, Mid-Pacific — Scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, two steals and an assist in a loss to Kohala 

Sevi McCoy, Mid-Pacific — Scored 14 points with six rebounds and two steals in a win over Sacred Hearts 

Amelia McDaniel, Mililani — Scored 24 points with four rebounds, three steals and one assist in a win over Maui 

Halia Perez-Bobek, Kohala — Scored 12 points with 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Andrea Porreca, Kamehameha — Scored 16 points with five rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a win over Iolani 

Graziella Reese, Lanai — Scored 12 points with 11 rebounds, two steals and an assist in a win over Kohala 

Mikela Salazar Harrell, Konawaena — Scored 17 points with four steals and two rebounds in a win over Moanalua 

Adriana Soriano, Kohala — Scored 17 points with nine rebounds, six steals and three assists in a win over Aiea and scored 15 points with 11 rebounds, one assist and a steal in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell — Scored 16 points in a win over Moanalua 

Serenity Tacgere, Moanalua — Scored 28 points with nine rebounds, three assists and three steals in a win over Lahainauna 

Destiny Tautofi, Sacred Hearts — Scored 21 points with 11 rebounds and three steals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii and scored 14 points with nine rebounds and two steals in a loss to Mid-Pacific 

Riya Tobosa, Pearl City — Scored 25 points with 11 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and an assist in a win over Sacred Hearts and scored 26 points with 12 rebounds, four steals and one assist in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Kamaile Valido-Mershon, Leilehua — Scored 24 points with one assist in a loss to Iolani 

BOYS SOCCER

Austin Ancheta, Iolani — Assisted on two goals in a win over Campbell 

Keano Beale, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapolei 

Thompson Cheever, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Kekaulike 

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

Ethan Eagle, Punahou — Made seven saves in a win over Mililani 

John-Kacey Ferreira-Sala, Saint Louis — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kahuku 

Cody Fuse, Kalani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Hilo 

Noah Gayagas, Punahou — Assisted on two goals in a win over Mililani 

Lorenzo Gonzalez, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Castle 

Kimat Holcomb, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Kekaulike and scored the game-winning goal in a win over Mililani 

Hunter Kerry, Kapaa — Scored three goals in a win over Waipahu 

Wills Levy, Seabury Hall — Scored three goals in a win over Waipahu 

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

Tanoa Muskat, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Louis 

Omar Perez, Kapaa — Scored two goals in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Aiden Pine, Waipahu — Scored two goals in a loss to Seabury Hall 

Rylan Sergent, Mililani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Castle and scored two goals in a loss to Punahou 

Matias Valentin, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Kekaulike 

Tyler Welsch, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Hilo