Farrington's Penina Faumui puts up a shot over Moanalua's Lachae McColor. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kailua's Naia Graham gets airborne against Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Naia Graham, Kailua soccer
Naia Graham's value to his team can be measured by the numbers.

The junior forward/midfielder has scored eight of Kailua's 10 goals through its first seven games this season and in the two games that Graham missed, the Surfriders were shutout both times.

Graham proved his worth once again Saturday when he scored the only Kailua goal in regulation and helped his team beat Kaiser in penalty kicks, 2-1.

"He is, by far, the most skilled player on our team," Surfriders' coach Steve Dignam said. "He's a team captain and a leader and he's huge for us offensively."

Kailua entered the game with just one win and on a three-game losing streak, while Kaiser had a three-game win streak and 5-1 record on the line.

"That Kaiser team we played is probably the biggest we've seen in East this year and after I saw that team play (in previous games), I thought there was no way we would win this game," Dignam said. "It was a huge confidence-builder for us. Our M.O. normally has been to get behind and try to come back, but we were able to get ahead in that game."

Graham put the Surfriders ahead in the first half off a set piece.

"Naia scored on a free kick from about 30 yards out," Dignam said. "He hit it perfectly into the right upper corner."

Kaiser came back with a goal to knot it at 1 at halftime.

After a scoreless second half, the teams went to penalty kicks, where Dignam took a chance and made a change.

"Against Kahuku I put Naia last (fifth) in the PK lineup, but he never got a chance to shoot, so my thinking this time was to put my best first," Dignam said. "Naia got to shoot and he scored and we were hoping it put pressure on the Kaiser kids after that."

Kailua won in penalty kicks, 4-3, thanks in part to goalie Colin Kubota, who made one save in the process.

Graham, who tied a state record by kicking a 57-yard field goal for the Kailua football team during the Fall season, missed the first two games of the soccer season while attending an Olympic Development Camp in Florida. Dignam said he sees a future for Graham in either sport.

"He's going to go on and play at the Division-I level," Dignam said. "I would imagine schools will come after him as a placekicker or for his soccer talent and I would not be surprised if a team allowed him to play both sports."

Graham and the Surfriders return to the field Wednesday when they visit Roosevelt at 7 p.m.

Female Athlete of the Week: Penina Faumui, Farrington basketball
In her last two games, Penina Faumui has imposed her will on opponents.

The Farrington senior post has scored a combined 81 points in games against Kalani and Kalaheo — both resulting in wins for her team.

"She's just been dominant inside," Governors' coach Steven Leopoldo said. "She does everything for us and being that this is her third year on the team, she finally understands that when she take over games, that's what the outcome can be."

Faumui, who wears number 34 and stands 5-feet, 11-inches, scored 35 points in a two-point win over the Falcons Thursday to help Farrington rebound from a three-point loss to Kaiser six days prior.

"She stepped up big in that game," Leopoldo said. "We were down, Penina made a steal, made the last two baskets, otherwise we would have went into overtime. It was an exciting game."

Four days later, Faumui set a new season-high in scoring with 46 points in a 19-point win over the Mustangs.

"She scored on a lot of post moves, but the guards weren't helping much so she just brought up the ball and went straight to the basket a couple of times," Leopoldo said. "She's just a beast inside, it's hard to stop her."

Faumui leads the OIA and all of Division II in scoring with a 23.3 points per game average. She has benefitted from playing alongside fellow post Jeneva Toilolo, who ranks third in D2 at 17.4 points per game.

"I told the two of them that if they can work the high post and the low post, I don't think anybody can guard you guys," Leopoldo said. "I give them credit for hanging there — they play about 80 to 90 percent of the time and they get double- and triple-teamed a lot — but they just keep playing."

Off the court, Leopoldo describes Faumui as "happy-go-lucky."

"She likes to joke around," Leopoldo said. "At the same time, she's a leader on our team and one of the captains. She knows her role and understands what I ask of them and she gets it done."

The Govs have won four of their last five games and six of their last eight heading into the OIA White (Division II) tournament.

"In the preseason we played all the top teams in the state: Lahainaluna, Konawaena, Kamehameha, Punahou, Maryknoll — and I think it's really helped us to play the Red (Division I) teams in the East and those preseason games," Leopoldo said.

Farrington claimed the White East's top seed in the six-team tournament, which gets underway next week. The Govs earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of Pearl City-Castle. The top three teams from the OIA qualify for the state tournament.  

"I know Penina scores a lot, but it's always a team game and if it wasn't for all the other girls that put the hard work in, our team wouldn't be where we are today," Leopoldo said. "I'm proud of the other girls that contribute to her success."

BOYS BASKETBALL
Samuta Avea, Kahuku — Scored 26 points against McKinley and 13 points against Kaimuki

Shyrome Batin, Honokaa — Scored 24 points against KS-Hawaii

Jerry Betiru, Kaimuki — Scored 23 points against Kahuku and 15 points against Anuenue

Matthew Bishop, Kailua — Scored 21 points against Kalani

Josh Burnett, Maryknoll — Scored 32 points against Saint Louis and 21 points against Iolani

C Jay Carvalho, Honokaa — Scored 22 points against KS-Hawaii

Kaleb Gilmore, Maryknoll — Scored 30 points against Iolani and 21 points against Saint Louis

BJ Hosaka, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 24 points against Damien and 15 points against St. Francis

Valen Inaura, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points against McKinley

Chance Kalaugher, Kaiser — Scored 22 points against Farrington and 13 points against Castle

Ryan Kaleikini, University — Scored 22 points against Hanalani

Kapi'ina King, Damien — Scored 21 points against University High and 17 points against Hawaii Baptist

Hirkley Latu, Kahuku — Scored 24 points against McKinley and 13 points against Kaimuki

Bayley Manliguis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 20 points against Honokaa

La'a Manliguis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 27 points against Waiakea

Brendan Mendoza-Bulong, Waipahu — Scored 24 points against Kapolei and 15 points against Pearl City

Bryson Naito, Aiea — Scored 19 points against Waianae and 14 points against Campbell

Jimmy Nunuha III, Saint Louis — Scored 27 points against Maryknoll and 18 points against Kamehameha

Matthew Nuumanaia, Saint Francis — Scored 30 points against Le Jardin and 13 points against Hawaii Baptist

Macjun Otarra, McKinley — Scored 21 points against Kahuku

Ikaika Phillip, Iolani — Scored 21 points against Maryknoll and 11 points against Mid-Pacific

Kekai Smith, Kalaheo — Scored 22 points against Anuenue and 15 points against Kailua

Lucas St. George, Waiakea — Scored 28 points against KS-Hawaii and 25 points against Hawaii Prep

Pukana Vincent, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points against Honokaa and 12 points against Waiakea

Jamaal Willis, Moanalua — Scored 23 points against Kalani and 20 points against Castle

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Adora Anae, Kahuku — Scored 18 points against McKinley and 14 points against Kalaheo

Shaila Apele, Waiakea — Scored 19 points against Keaau

Mich'lae Higa, Aiea — Scored 24 points against Waipahu and 9 points against Kapolei

Brooke Ho, Kaiser — Scored 20 points against Kaimuki and 14 points against Kalani

Carly Kakuda, Kalani — Scored 27 points against Farrington and 16 points against Kaiser

Sarah Kanekoa, Mid-Pacific — Scored 24 points against Sacred Hearts

Sierra Koki, Castle — Scored 21 points against Kalaheo and 16 points against Roosevelt

Mikaela Limper, Mililani — Scored 20 points against Pearl City

LaChae McColor, Moanalua — Scored 21 points against Roosevelt and 16 points against Kailua

Jasmine Moody, Radford — Scored 23 points against Kapolei and 21 points against Mililani

Taylor Pocock, Kealakehe — Scored 22 points against Waiakea

Roselyn Shimaoka, Kaiser — Scored 22 points against Kalani and 15 points against Kaimuki

Taufau Williams, Kailua — Scored 19 points against Moanalua

BOYS SOCCER
KJ Ahlo, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Damien Saturday

Shay Akau, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu Friday

Kristian Alejo, Waipahu — Scored two goals in a loss to Kapolei Friday

Stirling Aponte, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Louis Wednesday

Rusty Crowder, Pac-Five — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

Marcelo Dadino, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae Tuesday

Paul Enriquez, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu Tuesday

Shandon Hopeau, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae Tuesday and three goals in a win over Waipahu Friday

Lane Hosaka, Pac-Five — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

Jae Won Huh, Aiea — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli Friday

Moritz Keoppenkastrop-Lueker, Pac-Five — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

Richard Okimoto, Pac-Five — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Wednesday

Keo Ponce, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae Tuesday

Aaron Russ, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua Friday

Darin Shichida, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Marc Teshima, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo Tuesday

Zachary Trevorrow, Pac-Five — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Louis Saturday

Ikaika Urasaki, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Dillon Waidyatilleka, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Damien Saturday

Jacob Wagner, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Damien Saturday

GIRLS SOCCER
Ka'maile Aluli, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt Wednesday

Randi Fontes, Pearl City — Scored five goals in a win over Waipahu Tuesday

Sonest Furtado, Waianae — Scored two goals in a loss to Mililani Friday

Kapuamakamae Gomera-Stevens, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Kiani Halushka, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Pikake Kaneshiro, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Sacred Hearts Tuesday

Allyson Matsuoka, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kailua Saturday

Shay Nakahira, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific Tuesday

Kayla Silva-Gage, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Alyssa Tanigawa, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Shantel Torres-Benito, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Sacred Hearts Tuesday