McKinley's Huthifah Abdel-Jawad and Punahou's Tyra Moe each helped their respective teams go 3-0 last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Huthifah Abdel-Jawad, McKinley basketball
Huthifah Abdel-Jawad's trust in his teammates and coaches has been instrumental in McKinley's recent win streak.

The 6-foot senior guard led the Tigers in scoring in Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division wins over Kailua, Moanalua and Kahuku the previous week. As a result, McKinley made its first appearance in the latest ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Boys Basketball Power Rankings that was released on Monday.

"He's a very passionate player," McKinley coach Duane Omori said on Abdel-Jawed. "Basketball is like he's daily vitamins, he needs it everyday. That part I never question. "It was more understanding the system that we're trying to use. He's buying into it and its helped us become more successful."

Abdel-Jawad grew into a leader in the preseason with many returners from last year unavailable. Senior guard Dan Villejo was recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and Jonah Howard and Keanu Pratt transferred to Kalaheo and Kaimuki respectively.

McKinley (3-1 league, 8-7 overall) dropped six of its first eight non-league games, but has won six of its last seven contests.

"Huthifah has been doing an really good job managing the team in Dan's absence," said Omori. "He's taking the role of handling the ball — and more importantly he's been trusting in his players. He's creating for others, making other players better and taking pressure off of our younger kids that came up from the junior varsity team." 

As the primary ball-handler, Abdel-Jawad has been able to control the tempo of the game in the Tigers' favor.

"He's really making good decisions on when to execute," said Omori. "We're trying to control the pace of the game and he does a good job with that. It's one of his biggest improvements and I think it's helped him keep his emotions in check."

He had his biggest game of the year when he scored a season-high 20 points against Na Menehune in a 55-45 victory. 

"When he plays in control, he makes better decisions and he takes better shots," said Omori. "Moanalua they're well coached, athletic and they put a lot of ball pressure. Huthifah did a good job of penetrating the gaps against that and was able to make short jumpers of kick it out to a teammate when he gets to his spots."

The senior guard's ability to distribute the ball was best exemplified in a 53-39 win over the Red Raiders when the Tigers saw four players finish in double figures.

 "He's making other players better," said Omori. "He's setting up other people for their shot and he's trusting his teammates that they're going to execute so that he doesn't always have to be the person to make the tough shots."

In addition to bringing the ball up court, Abdel-Jawed has also spent time in the front court on defense.

"At times we're not as big as a team so we have to ask him to guard against post players like he did against Kailua," said Omori. "For a guard, he rebounds real well. Overall it's good because when he gets the rebound we can start our break a lot quicker instead." 

The Tigers will play another set of three games in the coming week with meetings against Kalani, Castle and Roosevelt. 

NOTE: This article was published after the Tigers defeated Kalani, 32-27 Tuesday night.

Female Athlete of the Week: Tyra Moe, Punahou basketball
Punahou has come along nicely with Tyra Moe taking up the leadership role.

The 6-foot-1 senior post has been a big reason why the Buffanblu are 6-0 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I play and are ranked third in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Girls Basketball Power Rankings.

Punahou coach Liz Kam, the team's third coach in four years, says having Moe on the squad has been a big help in her first year at the helm.

"She's been coming along as a really good leader," Kam said on Moe. "This year we're asking her to be more vocal. She's taking it on well. She gives a lot of support and feedback to help her teammates on the court, being a leader and getting everyone on the same page.

"The thing about Tyra is when she talks to her teammates, it's encouraging. It's not like she's talking down to them with her tone and the words she's saying. It's more encouraging so the kids are willing to listen to her and play for her."

Although the Buffanblu do not have a noteworthy overall record (10-6), they gained an invaluable experience playing in non-league tournaments like the Iolani Classic and the Nike Tournament of Champions that took place in Arizona.

Playing against bigger and lengthier teams from the mainland has helped Moe become stronger, something that was evident when ILH play resumed in the new year.

"Their size is bigger, they bring constant pressure, running at you and aggressive in your face," Kam said on their non-league competition. "They were relentless so it helped Tyra with her conditioning and to just physically push through no matter how tired she is. Those teams bring a whole different style of play and it has helped prepare us both mentally and physically."

In the Buffanblu's first league win of the year, they dominated the paint and rolled up to a 54-42 win over Kamehameha. Moe had 10 points along with seven rebounds and two blocks.

The following game the senior post had her best game of the year when she scored 23 points in a 63-49 victory over Iolani. 

"It was very nice to see her have a big game like that," said Kam. "She looked like she was comfortable and she had the right read as far as posting up and taking the outside jumper."

Moe is also a willing passer and does not try to force her shots when she's doesn't have a good look.

"She's a very selfless player," said Kam. "She's getting her points because she's in the right position, not because she wants to score. When the double comes she's willing to kick it out."

One of the most underrated aspects of Moe's overall game has been her defense. Although Moe is interchangeable at the "4" and "5" spot with fellow senior Vae Malufau on offense, Moe is more of a center on the defensive end.

"She's a very cerebral player and she's not going to do anything that's going to get her into foul trouble," said Kam. "She's savvy enough to know when to jab and drop and she's good with tipping balls and capping people from behind. She's real coachable so it's nice to work with her."

The Buffanblu will enjoy a whole week off before traveling to take on fourth-ranked Maryknoll Saturday afternoon.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Keinan Agonias, Pahoa — Scored 18 points and was 10-for-11 at the free throw line in a loss to KS-Hawaii

Keanu Akina, Kahuku — Scored 16 points with four made 3-pointers in a win over Roosevelt

Kahinu Alapai, Waiakea — Scored 21 points in a win over KS-Hawaii

Caleb Casinas, Moanalua — Scored a season-high 18 points with three made triples in a win over Kalani

Justin Daise, Mid-Pacific — Scored a season-high 26 points in a win over Punahou

Brandon Galang, Damien — Scored a season-high 20 points in a win over Damien

Kolin Galdiano, Damien — Scored 20 points and went 10-for-10 at the free throw line in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Keyson Goins, Punahou — Scored a season-high 22 points and made three treys in a win over Radford

Joseph Gouty, Leilehua — Scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu and 19 points in a win over Nanakuli

Christian Graham, Kalaheo — Scored a season-high 16 points with eight assists in a win over Anuenue

Hugh Hogland, Iolani — Scored 12 points with eight rebounds and five blocked shots in a win over Kamehameha

Darius Irvin, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points in a loss to Leilehua

Kobe Ikari, Kalani — Scored 20 points in a loss to Moanalua

Chance Kalauer, Kaiser — Scored 25 points in a win over Farrington

Mana Kaululaau, Island Pacific — Scored 21 points in an overtime loss to Assets

Jerry Lawson, Le Jardin — Scored a season-high 21 points in a win over Damien and scored 17 points in a win over Christian Academy

Alex Layi, Kalaheo — Scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds in a win over Farrington

Jesse Leaman, Hanalani — Scored a season-high 20 points in a loss to Hanalani

Aaron Leong, Hanalani — Scored a season-high 26 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Keola Mahiko, Kaiser — Combined for 59 points in wins over Castle, Kailua and Farrington

Supilani Mailei, Saint Francis — Scored 16 points in a win over Christian Academy

Robby Mann, Iolani — Had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Kamehameha and scored a season-high 19 points in a loss to Saint Louis

Jerrold Mariano — Scored a season-high 19 points in a win over Hawaii Mission

Ty Minatoya — Scored a season-high 33 points in a loss to Damien

Micah Mitchell, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 20 points in a win over Hanalani and a loss to Damien

Natano Namulauti, Waianae — Scored 18 points in a loss to Waialua

Tristan Nichols, Saint Louis — Scored 22 points in a win over Iolani

Kapaa Nishimura, Kalani — Scored a season-high 18 points in a loss to Kaimuki

Christian Ono, Kaimuki — Scored 17 points in a win over Kahuku

Kaipo Padwell, Castle — Scored a season-high 18 points in a win over Anuenue

Iverson Sione, Nanakuli — Scored 19 points in a win over Pearl City

Kellen Takatsuka, Hawaii Baptist — Scored a season-high 19 points with five made 3-pointers in a win over Hanalani

Gilbert Tapat, Pearl City — Scored 18 points in a loss to Nanakuli and a win over Waialua

Fred Taulung, Kaimuki — Scored a season-high 21 points with three triples in a win over Kalani

Pukana Vincent, KS-Hawaii — Scored a season-high 22 points and drilled four triples in a win loss to Waiakea

Micah Visoria, Roosevelt — Scored a season-high 16 points with four made 3-pointers in a loss to Kahuku

Moustapha Wagne, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points apiece in losses to Leilehua and Radford

Captain Whitlock, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points in a win over Farrington and 24 points in a win over Kalani

James Wilkins, Moanalua — Scored 22 points in a win over Kalani

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Camy Aguinaldo, Iolani — Scored a season-high 23 points in a win over Sacred Hearts and 14 points in a loss to Punahou

Tezrah Antonio, Kohala — Scored 14 points in a win over KS-Hawaii

Brittini Blake, Kahuku — Scored 14 points in a win over Kalaheo and had a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards in a win over McKinley

Erica Brenner, Island Pacific — Scored a season-high 20 points in a win over Christian Academy

Ike Cabatbat, Kealakehe — Scored 27 points in a win over Keeau

Taysia Canon, Mililani — Scored a season-high 15 points in a win over Campbell

Cydney Curran, Campbell — Scored a season-high 16 points in a win over Waipahu

Joselle Ferrer, McKinley — Scored 17 points and went 6-for-6 at the free throw line in a win over Kalani

Cameron Fernandez, Lahainaluna — Scored 15 points in a win over Baldwin

Alliya Gabriel, Roosevelt — Scored 14 points in a win over Kaimuki

Nia Galvez, Kealakehe — Scored 17 points in a win over Keeau

Sharlei Graham-Bernisto — Scored 19 points in a win over Hawaii Prep

Jessica Hanashiro, Sacred Hearts — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani

Kaedy Hatchett, Waialua — Scored a season-high 17 points and made three 3-pointers in a loss to Waianae

Molimau Heimuli, Farrington — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kaiser

Sienna Ho, Moanalua — Scored 14 points in a win over Kalaheo

Pakalana Kam, Sacred Hearts — Scored a season-high 18 points in a loss to Iolani

Ciara Kameehonua, Mid-Pacific — Scored 16 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou — Scored 14 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Jessica Kaupiko, Castle — Scored a season-high 17 points in a loss to Kalani

Ashley Kiko, Roosevelt — Scored 18 points in a win over Farrington

Victoria Kintz, Kaimuki — Scored 15 points in a win over Castle

Sierra Koki, Castle — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kalani

Brilie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific — Scored 14 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Jazmina Lafitaga, Mililani — Scored a season-high 20 points in a win over Campbell

Kelcie Leong, Moanalua — Scored a season-high 19 points in a win over Kalaheo

Brooke Maeda, Iolani — Scored a season-high 14 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Shannon Mailos, Waipahu — Scored a season-high 16 points in a loss to Campbell

Chantal Mailou, Farrington — Scored a season-high 16 points in a loss to Roosevelt

Vae Malufau, Punahou — Scored a combined 46 points in wins over Kamehameha, Iolani and Sacred Hearts

Chayse Milne, Maryknoll — Scored a season-high 16 points in a win over Kamehameha

Celena Molina, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Keeau and 15 points in a win over Waiakea

Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Keeau and 21 points in a win over Waiakea

Carliee Naki, Keeau — Scored 15 points in a win over Pahoa

Doris Naulu, Lutheran — Scored 16 points in a loss to Island Pacific

Alana Nuuanu, Nanakuli — Scored 14 points in a loss to Leilehua

Peyton Pedrozo, Island Pacific — Scored 17 points in a win over Lutheran and scored 14 points in a win over Christian Academy

Morgan Pelkey, Le Jardin — Scored a season-high 18 points in a win over La Pietra

CC Pollard, Kalaheo — Scored a season-high 19 points in a loss to Kahuku and scored 17 points in a loss to Moanalua

Keala Quinlan, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points in a win over Kaimuki

Dannica Roberts, Hawaiian Mission — Scored a season-high 15 points in a win over Saint Andrews 

Neai Soloman-Lewis, Kohala — Scored 17 points in a win over KS-Hawaii

Olivia Sou, Saint Andrews — Scored 16 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Melina Souza, Damien — Scored a season-high 22 points in a loss to Hanalani and 15 points in a win over University Lab

Noelle Suzuki, Kalani — Scored a season-high 21 points and drained four triples in a loss to McKinley and scored 17 points in a win over Castle

Mikayla Tablit, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Keeau and 22 points in a win over Waiakea

Kelia Tsutsui, Hanalani — Scored a season-high 16 points in a win over Damien

Ihi Victor, Konawaena — Scored 17 points in a win over Keeau and 14 points in a win over Waiakea

Daesha Viela, Kalani — scored a season-high 18 points in a win over Castle

Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Scored a season-high 15 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

BOYS SOCCER

DJ Aquino, Kailua — Scored one goal each in wins over Farrington and McKinley

Alberto Ariaz, Waialua — Scored three goals in a win over Aiea

Avery Curet, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Damien

Keenan Dung, Punahou — Scored three goals in a win over Saint Louis

Tyler Ebisuya, Iolani — Scored one goal each in wins over Saint Louis and Damien

Diana Fujiki, Kalani — Scored one goal each in wins over Roosevelt and Kalaheo

Jamin Fonseca, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Shandon Hopeau — Scored nine goals in a win over Campbell

Nick Ishikawa, Moanalua — Scored one goal each in a win over Kaimuki and in a draw with Kaiser

Payad Jadsopha, McKinley — Scored one goal each in losses to Roosevelt and Kailua

Jurell Kai, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Amadou Kone, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli and one goal in a win over Waianae

Takahiro Kosins, Kalani — Scored three goals each in wins over Kalaheo and Roosevelt

Ju Chen Lee, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli

Dane Little, Waialua — Scored two goals in a win over Aiea and one goal in a draw with Waianae

Chase Manatad, Kailua — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington and one goal in a win over McKinley

Noah Mokulehua, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Castle and one goal in a draw with Moanalua

Joseph-Tiueni Purcell, Kahuku — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki

Brierton Sharp, Kahuku — Scored two goals each in wins over Kaimuki and Farrington

Keanu Srivongsana, Iolani — Scored one goal each in wins over Saint Louis and Damien

Makana Srivonsana, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Castle

Eric Tabiolo, Moanalua — Scored two goals each in a win over Kaimuki and in a draw with Kaiser

Bane Vanburger, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli and one goal in a win over Waianae

Noah Vega, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Michael Watson, Radford — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Luke Wyman, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

GIRLS SOCCER

Hannah Cabral, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a draw with Kalani

Piper Collado, Pearl City — Scored one goal each in wins over Campbell and Nanakuli

Aisina Farley, Kahuku — Scored two goals each in wins over Kaimuki and Farrington

Randi Fontes, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Nanakuli

Sunshine Fontes, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli and one goal in a win over Campbell

Tia Furuta, Mililani — Scored two goals each in wins over Kapolei and Waipahu

Kapuamakamae Gomera-Stevens, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over Saint Francis

Tommi Hintnaus, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Moanalua

Jacey Iwane, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki and one goal in a loss to Kaiser

Dawncey Jones-Black, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Francis

Kailana Kaeo, Mililani — Scored one goal each in wins over Kapolei and Waipahu

Kiersten Lau, Kailua — Scored one goal each in wins over Farrington and McKinley

Taylee Miyamura, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Chevyn-Rae Morgan, Nanakuli — Scored three goals in a win over Radford and one goal in a loss to Pearl City

Sara Olanda, Aiea — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua

Mahina Ornellas, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Jasmin Piena, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki and one goal in a win over Farrington

Ciana Rivera, Castle — Scored three goals in a win over Kaiser

Tarynn Sales, Moanalua — Scored one goal each in a win over Kaimuki and in a loss to Kaiser

Rayna Santiago, Nanakuli — Scored two goals in a win over Radford

Kiana Schatz, Kahuku — Scored one goal each in wins over Kaimuki and Farrington

Daysha-Ann Solidum, Kalani — Scored one goal each in a win over Roosevelt and a draw with Kalaheo

Taylor Strong, Kailua — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington and scored on goal in a win over McKinley

Kelci Sumida, Moanalua — Scored one goal each in a win over Kaimuki and a loss to Kaiser

Janette Taufa, Kahuku — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington and two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Daelenn Tokunaga, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli and two goals in a win over Campbell

Kanani Uluave, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Dalles Young-Toledo, Waialua — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae