Kalani senior forward Takahiro Kosins and Leilehua senior post Tywanna Abbott led their respective teams to playoff victories last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Takahiro Kosins, Kalani soccer
Takahiro Kosins would like nothing more than for his senior season to end how his freshman one did.

The forward was a first-year member on the 2013 team that won Kalani's only boys state soccer title in school history. Back then he was a contributing outside halfback.

Fast forward to 2016 and Kosins is the focal point of the Falcons' offense. He has scored a state-best 25 goals this season.

"He scores a lot of goals, but he's just as happy when everybody else gets goals," Kalani coach Michael Ching said. "He's always engaged when he comes off the field, encouraging the defense to not give up goals. He's become a very good leader this year."

Kosins has racked up the goals despite being held a "three-goal limit" by Ching.

"As long as the game is in hand Taka already knows he's coming out," Ching said. "That's just my philosophy that no one needs to score more than three goals in a game. As soon as he scores his three goals he comes to the sideline and he doesn't pout, he stays engaged, he barks out instruction."

Ching said that Kosins' offensive numbers are somewhat deceiving.

"People probably think that we focus on Taka too much because he scored 25 goals and our offense definitely goes through him, but he's such an amazing talent that he scores easily," Ching said. "I don't feel like we feed him; it's not like it's ‘get it to Taka.' It comes naturally and somewhat in the flow of the game."

Kosins, who has scored at least one goal in nine of Kalani's 10 regular-season games this year, has notched eight hat tricks this season, including Saturday's 9-0 win over Kaimuki.

The lone game that Kosins did not find the back of the net was Wednesday's 2-0 win at second-place Kaiser, but Ching said he contributed in other ways.

"Kaiser focused on him and marked him up with two guys on him at all times," Ching said. "We generally like (Kosins) to stay in the middle, but with the way they were playing, he was more than willing to go outside on his runs and his crosses. He was working extremely hard. He got frustrated because he wasn't scoring, but he was very, very happy when we scored the first goal."

Ryan Abe scored the goal in the eighth minute to give Kalani an early lead. In the 30th minute, Toshihiro Kosins — Takahiro's twin brother — scored on a free kick.

"We put Taka in the wall and he made a run, his guy followed him and opened up the hole for us where Toshi's kick went," Ching said.

Kosins, who will sign with Colorado Mesa Wednesday morning, is following in the footsteps of former two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year Leo Harada (formerly Klink), who scored two goals in the 2013 state final before going on play collegiate at UC Irvine.

"Taka and Leo have a good bond," Ching said. "When Leo comes back from time to time, Taka trains with him and picks his brain. He took Leo's number 16 (jersey) his sophomore year, so he's definitely looked up to him as a guy he wanted to be."

Ching said Kosins set a personal goal of breaking Harada's record of 26 goals scored his senior season.

"His other goal was to lead this team to the first ever OIA title because Kalani has never won OIAs," said Ching, whose team lost to Mililani in the Division I state final. "In 2013 we were coming off a loss to Mililani in the state finals and the guys coming back dedicated themselves. We're trying to follow the same kind of routine and hoping that history repeats itself."

Kosins is one of 11 seniors on this year's team. Nine of them are starters.

"Taka and Toshi were playing on the field as freshman (in the 2013 title game), but a lot of the seniors didn't get to play much as freshmen that year, so this would kind of be their own championship," Ching said.

The Falcons are the top seed out of the Eastern Division in next week's Oahu Interscholastic Association Tournament and will play either Campbell or Kalaheo in a quarterfinal match next Tuesday.

Female Athlete of the Week: Tywanna Abbott, Leilehua basketball
It's been a season of change for Tywanna Abbott.

The Leilehua forward/center earned Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Player of the Year honors as a junior last year, while helping the Mules to a consolation title at the Division I state championships.

This season, however, Abbott is the lone returning starter for coach Elroy Dumlao's team.

"It's a whole different kind of game now for Tywanna from when she was getting dimes from Jaz (Lafitaga), Jerri (Maluyo) and Keahi (Iele-Roy)," Dumlao said.

Maluyo, a First Team OIA West selection last season, and Iele-Roy graduated last spring, while Lafitaga transferred to nearby Mililani in the offseason.

"Now she has to manufacture points in different ways and in tougher situations," Dumlao said of the 6-foot Abbott. "It's still something we're working on going into the playoffs because she's been getting double- and triple-teamed all year."

Abbott helped the Mules, who are the West's third seed in the 12-team tournament, to a pair of playoff victories last week. She had 11 points, six rebounds and a steal in a 57-30 opening-round win over Kalani Friday and followed that up with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 37-35 overtime win at East second seed Kaiser in a quarterfinal Saturday.

"She stepped it up when she needed to," Dumlao said. "She had some bad games in the earlier part of the season and has had a big target on her back as Player of the Year last year. Teams have been gearing up for her and she's gone through a lot of frustration, so to come out in playoff time and have a game like that was great for her."

Dumlao said part of the transformation of Abbott's game this season has been about improving her passing out of double teams.

"She was forcing a lot of shots early in the year," Dumlao said. "We'd go back on the tape and see that the guards were wide open, but they weren't in the passing lanes where she could identify them. You cannot really emulate the double-team and the pressure you get during a game in practice, but I think it was more mental. We had to get into her head to start kicking it out sooner."

Abbott and Dumlao have developed a special bond through countless hours together on and off the court.

"She came and played with my club team before she was even in high school," Dumlao said. "She came with us to Vegas on a team that had (former standouts) Pati Anae (Kahuku) and Carissa McBride (Leilehua). She was an eighth grader then and she hardly played, but it was more about seeing what the level of high school basketball was about and she's continued to grow in the program."

Dumlao said Abbott even calls his wife, "mom."

"They're that close already," Dumlao said. "At first she had to learn to take criticism. She used to crawl in her shell when I would get on her. Eventually she understood that it was all about trying to get the best out of the kids and teaching them sportsmanship and trying to build character and become a better person. She understood then that it's not all about winning."

Abbott has drawn much from those early years watching Anae and McBride, Dumlao said.

"She learned about toughness from them," Dumlao said. "She found out that you can be skilled, but if you're not tough in the paint you will not survive. Carissa and Pati didn't back down and definitely taught Tywanna that."

The Mules (10-2) have already punched their ticket to the state tournament. They will play at West top seed Radford at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Keinan Agonias, Pahoa — Scored 18 points in a loss to Konawaena

Shaun Apiki, Damien — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Mohan Brand, King Kekaulike — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui

Anson Canencia, University Lab — Scored 18 points in a win over Damien

Keanu Ciskowsky, Lanakila Baptist — Scored 21 points in a loss to Damien II

Justin Daise, Mid-Pacific — Scored 22 points in a loss to Saint Louis

Brenner DeMello, Iolani II — Scored 18 points in a win over Maryknoll II

Austin Ewing, Konawaena — Scored 21 points in a win over Pahoa

Kolin Galdiano, Damien — Scored 33 points in a win over Le Jardin and scored 26 points in a loss to University Lab

LJ Gonzales, Farrington — Scored 27 points in a win over Kahuku

Jaromir Guzman, Maui — Scored 18 points in a loss to King Kekaulike

Rico Handy, Keaau — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaii Prep

Ryan Hobus, University Lab — Scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Chance Kalaugher, Kaiser — Scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a win over Kalaheo

Micah Kalei, Saint Francis — Scored 19 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Radyn Kaleikini, University Lab — Scored 22 points in a win over Damien

Mana Kaululaau, Island Pacific — Scored 22 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Nayton Koki, Roosevelt — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kalani

Hirkley Latu, Kahuku — Scored 35 points in a loss to Farrington

Jerry Lawson, Le Jardin — Scored 22 points in a loss to Damien and scored 26 points in a win over Hanalani

Jesse Leaman, Hanalani — Scored 21 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Aaron Leong, Hanalani — Scored 19 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist

Keoua Mahiko, Kaiser — Scored 20 points in a win over Moanalua

Jared Miller, Damien II — Scored 28 points in a win over Lanakila Baptist

Ty Minatoya, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 18 points in a loss to University Lab

Micah Mitchell, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 23 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Jaymason Nunuha, Saint Louis — Scored 19 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Christian Ono, Kaimuki — Scored 19 points in a win over McKinley

Steven Park, Aiea — Scored 19 points in a win over Waipahu

Noa Purcell, Saint Louis — Scored 19 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Faaolataga Sailele, Waialua — Scored 18 points in a loss to Waipahu

Iverson Sione, Nanakuli — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kapolei

Jonas Skupieka, Hawaii Prep — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kohala

Jeminae Solomua, Waipahu — Scored 18 points in a win over Waialua

Kellen Takatsuka, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points in a loss to Hanalani and scored 22 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Don Thompson, King Kekaulike — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui

Brian Washington, Maryknoll — Scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a win over Kamehameha

Max Weimken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points in a loss to University Lab and scored 22 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Captain Whitlock, Kalaheo — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kaiser

James Wilkins, Moanalua — Scored 23 points in a win over Farrington

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Brittini Blake, Kahuku — Scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a win over Campbell

Erica Brenner, Island Pacific — Scored 15 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

Kyra Cambra, Seabury Hall — Scored 18 points in a win over Hana and scored 32 points in a win over Hana

Alexis Delovio, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Punahou

Lydia Earles, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 15 points in a loss to Island Pacific

Cameron Fernandez, Lahainaluna — Scored 20 points in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Sharlei Graham-Bernisto, Hilo — Scored 16 points in a win over Honokaa

Brianna Guzman-Kee Chong, Maui — Scored 15 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Fiamea Hafoka, Lahainaluna — Scored 15 points in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Jessica Hanashiro, Sacred Hearts — Scored 20 points in a loss to Iolani

Moli Heimuli, Farrington — Scored 24 points with 11 rebounds in a win over Mililani

Wainani Kalalau, Kamehameha II — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou II

Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou — Scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha and scored 16 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Mikiala Maio, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points in loss to Punahou

Velisa Meleisea, Mililani — Scored 18 points in a loss to Farrington

Chayse Milne, Maryknoll — Scored 16 points in a win over Punahou

Selene Mizusawa, Iolani II — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha II

Tyra Moe, Punahou — Scored 15 points in a win over Kamehameha and scored 24 points with 17 rebounds in a loss to Maryknoll

Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena — Scored 20 points in a win over Hilo

Jonnisty Monalim, Hanalani — Scored 15 points in a win over La Pietra

Hunter Muranaka, Keaau — Scored 15 points in a loss to Waiakea

Alana Nuuanu, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kailua

Kelli Okubo, Saint Francis — Scored 16 points in a win over Hanalani

Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a loss to Punahou

Alyssa Padilla, Pahoa — Scored 19 points in a win over Hawaii Prep

Kailly Paulo, Aiea — Scored 15 points in a loss to McKinley

Peyton Pedrozo, Island Pacific — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission

CC Pollard, Kalaheo — Scored 16 points in a win over Pearl City

Keala Quinlan, Roosevelt — Scored 32 points in a win over Kailua

Rose Shimaoka, Kaiser — Scored 16 points in a loss to Leilehua

Harley Simon, Mid-Pacific — Scored 15 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Teane Sofa, McKinley — Scored 16 points in a win over Aiea

Melina Souza, Damien — Scored 21 points in a win over University Lab

Kiana Stewart, Punahou II — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kamehameha II

Ciera Sylva, Pearl City — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kalaheo

Tara Takata, Kailua — Scored 22 points in a win over Nanakuli

Tia Thompson, La Pietra — Scored 20 points in a loss to Hanalani

Kiana Vierra, Kamehameha — Scored 16 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Delcie Williams, Kailua — Scored 19 points in a win over Nanakuli and scored 16 points in a loss to Roosevelt

Karley Ann Yoshioka, University Lab — Scored 21 points in a win over Hanalani

Rayn Young, Kamehameha II — Scored 19 points in a win over Punahou II

BOYS SOCCER
Ju Chen Lee, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae

Tyler Ebisuya, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Pac-Five

Thomas Foct, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a win over Kaiser

Keanu Hirota, Leilehua — Scored three goals in a win over Pearl City

Shandon Hopeau, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu and scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli

Chad Morishige, Roosevelt — Scored the lone goal in a win over Moanalua

Davin Nakagawa, Aiea — Scored two goals in a loss to Nanakuli

Ezra Williams, Farrington — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley

Kawika Zarko, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua

GIRLS SOCCER
Michele Bonifacio, Kapolei — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waipahu

Piper Collado, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua

Kylee Enos, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Francis

Tia Furuta, Mililani — Scored four goals in a win over Radford

Camryn Hagihara, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Francis

Kailana Kaeo, Mililani — Scored four goals in a win over Radford

Kylee Kim-Bustillos, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Sacred Hearts

Tia Matsumura, Mid-Pacific — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Francis

Kylie Minamishin, Kamehameha — Scored the lone goal in a win over Pac-Five

Maya Murray, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani

Sara Olanda, Aiea — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Kristine Portigo, McKinley — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaimuki

Daysha-Ann Solidum, Kalani — Scored two goals in a loss to Kaiser

Kaylee Sumida, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Daelenn Tokunaga, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua

Kailey Totherow, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Saint Francis

Alex Yawata, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani