Saint Francis' Kawena Kalani and Roosevelt's Micah Visoria put up career-high performances last Saturday. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Female Athlete of the Week: Kawena Kalani, Saint Francis basketball
With her team's season on the line, Saint Francis' Kawena Kalani answered the call.

The Saints' senior guard scored a career-high 25 points with three 3-pointers in a 54-43 win over Le Jardin in the ILH Division II single-elimination tournament final last Saturday.

The win clinched the league's fourth and final state berth into the Snapple D2 Girls Basketball Championships, which begins on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Saint Francis coach Chris Hoe said advancing to the state tournament was "pretty big" for his team because it will be the last year of athletics for the school.

"That was their goal coming into this year. Especially since it's the last year for Saint Francis, they want to make it the best so getting into states was really big for them."

Saint Francis is no stranger to the state tournament, having advanced all the way to the state final last year before suffering its first loss of the season. However, with six seniors gone to graduation and 6-foot-2 junior center Mata Sagapolutele still recovering from a leg injury, the Saints had their work cut out for them.

Enter Kalani.

The 5-foot-5 guard averaged just 4.1 points per game during league play a season ago, but has stepped up her play in her senior season to lead the Saints (9-8 overall, 8-7 league).

"She's been playing with confidence," said Hoe. "Every time she shoots it, we think it's going in. It's been a good experience."

With her best performance of her career last Saturday, Kalani boasts a 12.3 PPG average heading into the state tourney.

Not bad for someone who has a future in softball. Kalani signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of North Dakota last November.

"We're lucky to have her," said Hoe. "This is actually her first full year playing with us. Other years we would let them go to their softball trips, but this year she's more committed, which is really good. Our coaching staff wishes her the best when she goes away for college."

Hoe added that Kalani was selected as the lone captain for the girls basketball team this season.

"Definitely it's a bigger role for her. She actually has a good attitude, always trying to be positive for the girls. Whatever she can do easier for the teammates, very unselfish."

Kalani's shooting numbers have increased this year, but it's her play in other areas that sparks the team.

"Her defense is really good and she's one of our better rebounders," said Hoe.

In a do-or-die game against the Bulldogs last weekend, Saint Francis entered the halftime break down 28-26.

The second half was a much different story. A defensive adjustment at the break saw the Saints outscore Le Jardin by 16 in the third quarter to take a commanding 47-33 lead into the final period of play.

"We pressured their guards more, which created turnovers," Hoe said. "(Kawena) came up big, she had a lot of steals which led to her getting more offensive shots up."

Kalani and the Saints will have another week off before first round play begins next Wednesday.

Male Athlete of the Week: Micah Visoria, Roosevelt basketball
During the Roosevelt boys basketball team's senior night post game festivities last Saturday, coach Steve Hathaway was pleased to announced the return of senior Micah Visoria.

"Let's all welcome back Mr. Visoria," Hathaway recalled. "I even said it to the gym at our senior night, 'this next player we just got back, Micah Visoria.'"

Hathaway said it in jest — as Visoria returned from an ankle injury in the Rough Riders' league opener — but make no mistake about it, Visoria is finally his old self again.

The Roosevelt senior scored a career-high 33 points in a 74-70 won over visiting Farrington, who was the fifth-ranked team in the state at the start of the week.

The Rough Riders led 18-16 after the first quarter, but scored just four points in the second period and trailed 35-22 at the break.

Then something clicked for Visoria.

The 5-foot-10 guard scored 29 of his 33 points in the second half to lead Roosevelt to a comeback win over the Governors.

"He just went unconscious," Hathaway said. "We started running everything through him, running him at the point so that the ball was in his hands. He just went off, great night to do that on senior night."

Visoria also knocked down four 3-pointers and shot 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the win.

"When he came in as a freshman, I told everybody from the get go: 'this kid is going to be the best shooter that's going to come through the program,'" said Hathaway.

Visoria started his senior season on a tear, averaging 20.2 points per game with nine treys through the Rough Riders' first five contests of the preseason. But things took a turn when he injured his ankle against Iolani on the last day of November.

The Roosevelt senior did not play another game until the Iolani Classic, but missed most of the tournament after getting hurt again.

When league play started, Visoria wasn't the same when he took the court. Instead of looking to score, he started to pass up opportunities.

"A lot of it was mental," said Hathaway. "The kid has one of the best pull-up jumpers I've seen, especially from the free throw line, and he wasn't shooting that so I could see that he was afraid."

During halftime against the Governors, Hathaway told Visoria something most coaches rarely say.

"I told him you have to be selfish this second half," said Hathaway. "I told him you're not on this team to pass, you're here to score."

The result speaks for itself. Visoria scored 29 points after the break to help Roosevelt outscore Farrington, 52 to 35, to turn back the Governors.

"Without him we don't win the game," said Hathaway. "I would say that second half against Farrington was the first time where he was 100 percent. I hope he just takes off the rest of the year."

Visoria and the Rough Riders (6-4 OIA East) defeated Kaiser Tuesday night, 54-49 and currently is tied with Kahuku for third place in the standings.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Kaukahi Alameda, Hilo — Scored 18 points in a win over Kau

Luke Bowers, Punahou II — Scored 19 points in a win over University Lab

Jayden Broad-Melander, Pahoa — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Frank Camacho, McKinley — Scored 18 points in a win over Kalani and scored 18 points in a loss to Kahuku

Ja'Shon Carter, Kapolei — Scored 21 points in a win over Radford

Anthony Caswell, Kalaheo — Scored 14 points with 11 rebounds in a win over Anuenue

Izayah Chartrand-Penera, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 24 points in a win over Pahoa

Marcus Damuni, Kahuku — Scored 19 points in a win over McKinley

Mario Drummer, Kaiser — Scored 25 points in a win over Farrington

Leif Fautanu, University Lab — Scored 21 points in a loss to Punahou II and scored 23 points in a win over Le Jardin

Frank Felix, Iolani — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Saint Francis

Bryce Forbes, Damien — Scored 25 points in a win over Punahou II

Elvis Garramone, Aiea — Scored 18 points in a win over Waipahu

Jake Holtz, Damien — Scored 21 points in a win over Punahou II

Isaiah Hopson, Kailua — Scored 18 points in a win over Kaimuki

Kukilakila Kahalekai, Nanakuli — Scored 61 points in a win over Waialua

Nalu Kanalulu, Saint Francis — Scored 22 points in a win over Punahou

Jakob Kimura, Punahou — Scored 24 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Logan Lasell, Leilehua — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Mililani

Kawika Lee, Iolani — Scored 22 points in a win over Saint Louis and scored 22 points in a win over Saint Francis

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 29 points in a loss to Maryknoll, scored 27 points in a win over Punahou and scored 28 points in a loss to Iolani

Kordel Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points in a loss to Iolani

Nathaniel Okamoto, Aiea — Scored 19 points in a win over Waipahu and scored 25 points in a win over Pearl City

Jojo Pacubas, Maui — Scored 20 points in a win over Baldwin

Reese Pascua, Lahainaluna — Scored 19 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Jalin Rachlin, Iolani II — Scored 28 points in a win over Kamehameha II

Geremy Robinson, Moanalua — Scored 22 points in a win over Kailua

Kui Ross, Baldwin — Scored 23 points in a loss to Maui

Kamalu Segundo, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 24 points in a loss to Baldwin

Ty Shishido, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points in a win over Farrington

Tanner Siu, Kamehameha II — Scored 18 points in a loss to Iolani II

Luke Stevens, Kaiser — Scored 19 points in a win over Kalani

Isaiah Sugiura, Moanalua — Scored 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Kailua

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Kaimuki

Max Wiemken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 24 points in a loss to Damien

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ashley Akamine, Lahainaluna — Scored 19 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Madison Ayers, Mililani — Scored 14 points in a win over Kaiser

Kylie Bagay, Mililani — Scored 14 points in a win over Kaiser

Kyana Brucelas, Hawaii Prep — Scored 12 points with 12 rebounds in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Maja Burdova, Hawaii Prep — Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Kau

Tayvia Cabatbat, Waiakea — Scored 17 points in a win over Konawaena

Asia Castillo, Leilehua — Scored 14 points in a win over Moanalua

Maya Claytor, Kahuku — Scored 14 points in a win over Kalani

Kaitlin De Rouin, Molokai — Scored 15 points, including four 3-pointers, in a loss to Lanai

Kierstin Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 18 points in a win over Kauai

Kalena Halunajan, Kalani — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kahuku

Grace Lyn Hing, Konawaena — Scored 16 points in a win over Hilo

Kelsie Imai, Waiakea — Scored 18 points in a win over Kealakehe

Reishalyn Jara, Kau — Scored 11 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to Hawaii Prep

Kawai Kahalehoe, Iolani — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou

Trisadee Kahunahana, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points in a win over Le Jardin

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Kalani — Scored 21 points in a loss to Kahuku

Kaylen Kamelamela, Leilehua — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Moanalua

Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena — Scored 11 points with 12 rebounds in a win over Hilo

Brilie Kovaloff, Mid-Pacific — Scored 22 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Melody Lum, Punahou — Scored 14 points in a loss to Iolani

Joy Luna, Christian Academy — Scored 17 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Dallas Martinez, Sacred Hearts — Scored 14 points in a loss to Punahou

Jasmine Murao, Pearl City — Scored 15 points in a loss to Waipahu

Leiah Naeata, Kahuku — Scored 17 points in a win over Kaiser and scored 33 points in a win over Kalani

Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna — Scored 18 points in a win over King Kekaulike

Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a win over Maryknoll and scored 16 points in a loss to Iolani

Setita Prescott, Farrington — Scored 16 points with 13 rebounds in a loss to Castle

Reilani Roller, Castle — Scored 14 points in a win over Farrington

Kaliana Salazar Harrell, Konawaena — Scored 14 points in a loss to Honokaa

Amanda Sales, Kauai — Scored 15 points in a loss to Waimea

Mikiala Sniffen, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 19 points in a win over Baldwin

Melia Swirsky, Le Jardin — Scored 17 points in a win over Damien

Kaena Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kau

Jalen Tanuvasa, Maryknoll — Scored 19 points in a win over Mid-Pacific and scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha

Anau Tuivai, Seabury Hall — Scored 19 points in a win over Hana

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

Lily Wahinekapu, Iolani — Scored 19 points in a win over Punahou and scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha

BOYS SOCCER
Reicin Crisostomo, Aiea — Scored the lone goal in a win over Farrington

Ethan Ferry, PAC-5 — Scored two goals in a loss to Saint Louis

Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored four goals in a win over PAC-5

John Grover, Waiakea — Scored four goals in a win over Keaau

Jonah Kawamura, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha

Kawika Kelii, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Brison Kim, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Campbell

Thomas King, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt and scored two goals in a win over Campbell

Noah Larson, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Radford

Tommy Mascaro-Keahi, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Mason Morishige, Roosevelt — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae

Johnny Movaghar, Kapaa — Scored the lone goal in a win over Island School

Brendan Moynahan, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Waiakea

Shane Nakakura, Waipahu — Scored the lone goal in a win over McKinley

Brendan Parke, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha

Riley Patterson, Hilo — Scored four goals in a win over Keaau

Jake Schneider, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Waiakea

Alika Viernes, Kohala — Scored three goals in a win over Kau

Micah Williams, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Mid-Pacific

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

Malia Brost, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa

Jadyn Hanks, Konawaena — Scored the lone goal in a win over Hilo

Tia Lurbiecki, Makua Lani — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa

Chaylea Tome, Kamehameha — Made two saves in penalty kick shootout in win over Iolani