Top Performers
Lui-Cabinatan, Mangahis clutched up last week




Male Athlete of the Week: Jeffrey Mangahis, Lanakila Baptist basketball
Jeffrey Mangahis was dialed in from long range last week Monday.

The 5-foot-5 senior point guard hit a season-best seven 3-pointers and finished with 25 points to help his Lanakila Baptist boys basketball team to a 35-31 win over Island Pacific on Jan. 7. That performance came two days after he splashed five treys in a 36-34 win over Assets.

"He's been hot and it carried over from that last game," Warriors coach Richard Bautista said of Mangahis, a four-year varsity player and starter since his sophomore season.

Despite scoring all but 10 of his team's 35 points against the Voyagers, Mangahis still managed to collect a few assists in the win.

"I think he was being cerebral, knowing the balance of when to involve your teammates and when to take over the game," Bautista said. "When he's in assist mode, that's awesome to watch, too. He dribbles to penetrate and dishes the ball off to wide-open shots for the centers and forwards."

Bautista, who has been with the program for 10 years, served as an assistant for the past two seasons before taking over as head coach this year. He is appreciative of the resolve that Mangahis, one of five seniors on the team, brings on a daily basis.

"He has a toughness about him and he wants the ball in the moment. He's not a great ball handler, but he's decent and he can get to the basket when he wants to get to the basket," Bautista said. "He's aggressive, he has a good 3-point shot and a good mid-range shot."

Mangahis scored 19 points in last Wednesday's 38-37 win over Christian Academy and tied his season-high with 25 points in Monday's 48-43 loss at Hawaiian Mission. His 17.9-points per game average is tops among Division III players in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

"We expect low-scoring games, so he usually leads the team in scoring,but the focus for everybody is defense — that's what we started our team on," Bautista said. "If we make more stops than scores, we'll win the game."

Bautista said embracing a leadership role didn't necessarily come easy for Mangahis, who earned first team All-ILH D3 honors last year.

"With him being a leader was tough for him because his peers look at him as the best basketball player and a team captain, (but) what he had to learn was how to work with his teammates," Bautista said. "When he first got the position, he said to me, ‘no one's listening to me.' I told him ‘you gotta win them over,' and he learned throughout the process how to involve and trust his teammates. I told him ‘you gotta trust. Defense ain't gonna work with just one person. We're not gonna win the game with just one person; we've gotta make stops to win the game,' and he's learned to understand that."

But for Bautista, what he's trying to impart in his Warriors goes beyond the hardwood.

"We try to link everything back to life lessons," he said. "For the team, the emphasis this year is on culture, so how do we build that? We build through character and I think they've responded well. I think they did well this season."

Mangahis and the Warriors (6-5) wrap up their season against Assets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hanalani.


Female Athlete of the Week: Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan, Waiakea basketball
The Waiakea girls basketball team came up with a monumental victory Thursday night.

The Warriors posted an emphatic 54-25 home win over four-time defending Division I state champion Konawaena, ending the Wildcats' stranglehold on the Big Island Interscholastic Federation hoops.

"Kona is a dynasty and they have a great bunch of young girls," Waiakea coach Brandon Kauhi said. "It was our first time playing them this year and we definitely took advantage and we finally put it together. Usually we make mistakes against the top teams, but for this game we made some outside shots and played really well defensively."

Leading the way for Waiakea was the play of Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan. The 5-foot-4 senior scored a game-high 18 points to help bring Konawaena's 124-game league win streak to screeching halt on the Warriors' senior night.

"I wouldn't say it was a turnaround game for her, but she definitely stepped up," Kauhi said of Lui-Cabinatan, a second-year varsity player. "She's usually one of the quieter ones, so to see her take leadership and lead some of her younger teammates was nice to see."

The win gave the Warriors (8-1) the inside track to earn the top seed in the BIIF tournament, which would give them a semifinal matchup against Keaau (4-4), while avoiding both Hilo (8-1) and Konawaena (8-1) until the title game.

"We knew that for us to get the top seed — because the league uses point differential (in the event of a three-way tie — we had to beat Kona by 11 (points)," Kauhi said. "For us to not only beat them, but by 11 points, we just had to believe in what we were trying to do and execute."

Waiakea jumped out to a 17-0 lead on the Wildcats and never looked back.

"After that they could see that if could just finish what we're doing we could get that top seed, which was our goal, just to get a little easier route to get to the BIIF championship," Kauhi said.

Lui-Cabinatan's role has grown from that of defensive stopper last year to more of an all-around one this season.

"This year we have a few more girls that can help her out on the defensive side, but early on she kind of took control of it and she put it back on her. Since then she rose her level of play and she's taken advantage of the opportunities when she's had the chance. She's probably been our most consistent player all year," Kauhi said.

Kauhi noted that Lui-Cabinatan, who can play the shooting guard or small forward positions, is a key cog in the Warriors defense.

"She's the front of our trap and she usually guards one of the other team's top scorers," he said. "She's great at getting deflections. With her defense she creates offense and she finishes around the basket. She's very coachable and she understands what we're trying to do every game we're going in to."

To be sure, Lui-Cabinatan has made her biggest impact on the defensive end of the floor.

"She has an uncanny ability to react. She's always getting her hand on the ball and for us that's huge for our defense because it creates turnovers and starts our transition," Kauhi said. "A strength for us is where we can attack the basket, so definitely her defense goes unnoticed."

Lui-Cabinatan, who is averaging 10 points per game this season, and the Warriors, who moved up to the No. 8 spot in this week's ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings, wrap up the regular season at Keaau next Tuesday.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Ace Bernel, Keaau — Scored 19 points in a win over Honokaa

Noah Bryant, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 23 points in a win over Assets

Aeman Kurt Castro, Farrington — Scored 19 points in a win over Kahuku

Ethan Erickson, Kahuku — Scored 19 points in a loss to Farrington

Nathan Faletoi, St. Joseph — Scored 19 points in a loss to Hawaii Prep

Leif Fautanu, University Lab — Scored 22 points in a win over Iolani II

Bryce Forbes, Damien — Scored 21 points in a win over Iolani II

Adrian Gadot, Konawaena — Scored 22 points in a win over St. Joseph

Zachary Gagnon, Leilehua — Scored 21 points in a win over Waialua and scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu

Aaron Hirahara, Punahou II — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kamehameha

Jake Holtz, Damien — Scored 29 points in a win over Hawaii Baptist and scored 19 points in a win over Iolani II

Justin Ishida, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 29 points, including nine 3-pointers, in a loss to Damien

Eilen Jamerabon, Waimea — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kauai

Isaac Jardine, Honokaa — Scored 21 points in a loss to Keaau

Kukilakila Kahalekai, Nanakuli — Scored 27 points, including 11-of-11 shooting on free throws, in a loss to Campbell

Darius Lauture, King Kekaulike — Scored 26 points in a loss to Maui

Kawika Lee, Iolani — Scored 21 points in a win over Saint Louis

Raefe McEnroe, Farrington — Scored 21 points in a win over Kailua

Koby Moananu, Kaimuki — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kalaheo

Ethan Neru, Konawaena — Scored 27 points in a loss to Kau

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 24 points in a loss to Punahou

Kordel Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 19 points in a loss to Punahou and scored 21 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Noah Omori, McKinley — Scored 20 points, including six 3-pointers, in a loss to Roosevelt

Jojo Pacubas, Maui — Scored 22 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Reece Pascua, Lahainaluna — Scored 24 points in a win over King Kekaulike and scored 18 points in a win over Baldwin

Ryan Pardini, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kailua and scored 24 points in a win over Kaimuki

Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley, Kau — Scored 31 points in a win over Konawaena

Colin Ramos, Mid-Pacific — Scored 19 points in a loss to Iolani and scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Saint Francis

Geremy Robinson, Moanalua — Scored 30 points in a win over Roosevelt

Isaac Silva, Saint Louis — Scored 19 points in a loss to Iolani

Tanner Siu, Kamehameha II — Scored 19 points in a win over Punahou II

Emmanual Stevenson, Radford — Scored 19 points in a win over Waianae

Taylor Takata, Assets — Scored 19 points in a win over Island Pacific

Christmas Togiai, Kamehameha — Scored 20 points in a loss to Punahou and scored 25 points in a loss to Iolani

Robert Thompson, Kalaheo — Scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a loss to Kailua

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 32 points in a win over Kalaheo, scored 33 points, including six 3-pointers and 9-of-9 shooting on free throws, in a win over Kaiser and scored 19 points, including 11-of-12 shooting on free throws, in a loss to Farrington

Sam Wheeler, Iolani — Scored 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Saint Louis

Max Wiemken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 24 points in a win over Le Jardin

Mitchell Williams, Campbell — Scored 21 points in a loss to Aiea and scored 26 points in a win over Nanakuli


GIRLS BASKETBALL
Caysee Aki, Island Pacific — Scored 20 points in a win over La Pietra

Kyana Brucelas, Hawaii Prep — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Alexis Huntimer, Iolani — Scored 16 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Namahana Kaeo-Young, King Kekaulike — Scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Maui

Trisadee Kahunahana, Saint Francis — Scored 15 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Kalani — Scored 16 points with 11 rebounds in a win over McKinley

Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Mililani

Brilie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific — Scored 15 points in a loss to Sacred Hearts and scored 20 points in a loss to Punahou

Colby Lane, McKinley — Scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Kalani

Melody Lum, Punahou — Scored 15 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts — Scored 21 points in a loss to Iolani

Te'Hiwa Medeiros, Sacred Hearts — Scored 17 points in a win over Mid-Pacific

Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna — Scored 23 points in a win over King Kekaulike and scored 21 points in a win over Baldwin

Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha — Scored 29 points in a win over Sacred Hearts and scored 24 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to Maryknoll

Hunter Quemado, Waipahu — Scored 21 points in a loss to Waianae

Paige Ralph, Waianae — Scored 31 points in a win over Waipahu

Dannica Roberts, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 18 points in a win over Island Pacific

Dahlis Sablay, Mililani — Scored 16 points in a win over Leilehua

Lishae Scanlan, Hanalani — Scored 21 points in a win over University Lab

Kaena Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kealakehe

Jalen Tanuvasa, Maryknoll — Scored 21 points in a loss to Iolani

Taylor Tateyama, Roosevelt — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kaiser

Keila Tsutsui, Hanalani — Scored 16 points in a win over Damien and scored 17 points in a win over University Lab

Madeleine Venezia, Le Jardin — Scored 16 points in a loss to Hanalani

Lily Wahinekapu, Iolani — Scored 15 points in a win over Maryknoll and scored 17 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Taylor Wu, Iolani — Scored 22 points in a win over Sacred Hearts

Cydni Yoshida, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Saint Francis


BOYS SOCCER
Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored two goals in a tie against PAC-5

Dominic Gusman, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Saint Louis

Kyler Halvorsen, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Ryugen Kobayashi, Mid-Pacific — Scored three goals in a win over Le Jardin

Michael Lagario, Keaau — Scored three goals in a win over Kau

Noah Larson, Kailua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaiser and scored two goals in a win over Moanalua

Mason Morishige, Roosevelt — Scored the lone goal in a win over Castle

Jonathan Marlow, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Liam McGehee, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua

Dylan Nakagawa, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Reece Okada, Leilehua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Pearl City

Jhoel Sarraude, King Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Christopher TenBroeke, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae

Skye Ventura-Kahookele, Aiea — Scored three goals in a win over Waipahu


GIRLS SOCCER
Kaila Ambrosio, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Kealakehe

Teani Arakawa, King Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall and scored two goals in a win over Baldwin

Sasha Asselbaye, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Kalista Brigante, Kapaa — Scored two goals in a win over Island School

Sunshine Fontes, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae

Tia Fulks, Kauai — Scored two goals in a win over Waimea

Emi Higgins, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

D'awncey Jones, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Shaelyn Kam, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington

Mia Kawamura, Iolani — Scored three goals in a win over Damien

Kira Nishiki, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua

Jordan Okuhara, Kalani — Scored two goals in a tie against Castle

Mia Takekuma, Kauai — Scored three goals in a win over Island School

Mya Tolentino, Waipahu — Scored the lone goal in a win over Aiea

Emily Turmelle, Keaau — Scored two goals in a win over Kau

Kehela Ventura, Kauai — Scored three goals in a win over Island School



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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