The Kamehameha junior and Waimea sophomore lit up the scoreboards last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Christmas Togiai, Kamehameha basketball
One would be hard-pressed to overstate just how valuable Christmas Togiai was for the Kamehameha boys basketball team this season.

The 6-foot-2 guard just completed his junior season on the hardwood, where he averaged a team-high 20.1 points per game for the Warriors, but his worth goes far beyond just his offensive production.

Although the season came to an end for Kamehameha with Thursday's loss at No. 2 Punahou in the semifinals of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I single-elimination tournament, Togiai had a week to remember.

The third-year starter shot an efficient 68 percent from the field and totaled 52 points for the Warriors in a pair of games in which he was on the court for all but three minutes.

"Just the effort he puts forth is amazing," first-year Warriors coach Larry Park said. "I mean, he has to play 32 minutes and he just gives that incredible effort every possession. Sometimes we try to slow the game down a little bit to limit the number of possessions so that he can catch his breath, but he's scoring, he's rebounding, he's handling the ball, he just puts out an incredible amount of effort every day — even in practice. Every day."

Togiai recorded his fourth 25-point game of the season — his third in ILH play — in last Monday's 49-46 win over third-ranked Iolani at Kekuhaupio Gym. He shot 9 of 12 from the field, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, to go along with nine rebounds.

Park pointed out a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Togiai just before the intermission to give the Warriors a 22-18 lead at halftime against the Raiders.

"At the end of the second quarter he hit that step-back 3 off the back board and it was almost like he just wills the ball into the basket in those big moments. In our first-round Maryknoll game he gets the game-winning layup, so he just rises to the occasion time and time again," Park said.

But Togiai saved his best for last against the Buffanblu at Hemmeter Fieldhouse Thursday night. He poured in a season-high 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting with five assists, four rebounds and a steal. Togiai also hot 10 of 15 from the free-throw line in the 76-60 loss.

"He's just such a competitor and he's always competing. He wants to win so badly and so even in those two games he shows up," Park said. "Everything we do is around him — he's our primary ball-handler — so we knew we were gonna build around him."

Togiai scored in double digits in every league game this season and led the Warriors in scoring in all but one of those contests.

"As the season kind of finished, I was kind of thinking back at everything and what is even more amazing about Chris and what he did for us — because Braden De Fries got hurt in the summer and Hoku Arias got hurt two days before our regular season started and those were probably gonna be our second and third scorers around Chris and help with ball-handling and rebounding — so it's just amazing how he stepped up and took on those added responsibilities," Park said. "He put the team on his shoulders in a number of different ways."

Park said Togiai — who played quarterback on the football team last fall and also participates in volleyball during the spring season — possesses both a natural athleticism and a tireless work ethic.

"It's both. He's gifted athletically, but that competitiveness and that drive to be good really stands out," said Park, who draws a comparison of Togiai to Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook.

"He has that same competitive fire and drive to just play and win," Park said. "He sees the game so well. Even when he was a freshman point guard starting, he didn't turn the ball over a lot. He didn't put himself in bad situations even as a freshman. He knew the game, he knew how to space the court, he just knows where to be."

Not to be overlooked is Togiai's toughness — which often comes about in a quiet manner.

"I think he sprained his ankle in that Iolani game on Monday, but he (didn't) say anything," Park said. "He just goes to the trainer, gets treatment and comes back to practice. He played with a little bit of a swollen ankle Thursday (against Punahou) and then he goes out for volleyball tryouts on Friday and the ankle is still swollen."

Park described Togiai as "quiet by nature."

"But I think he's grown as a leader and kind of had to encourage the group a little bit. We're so young, so he brings that confidence for everybody else that we can do it," Park said. "On the court he's really intense. He's just so mentally locked in the entire game — not just the offense or the statistical side of it — but the things that we don't stat: just being sound, being in the right place."

The Warriors put together an 11-4 preseason record, but mustered only a 3-10 league record in ILH play and will miss next week's state tournament. However, most of the squad — most notably Togiai — returns next season.

"We played well in that game against Iolani and I thought we fought really hard against Punahou and fell short, but the entire team was amazing with their attitude and just their willingness to come back and work. That whole group — and partly because of Chris' leadership — they didn't complain," Park said. "They just showed up to work every day."

Female Athlete of the Week: Kaye Serapio, Waimea basketball
Waimea sophomore Kaye Serapio did last week what her coach felt she could be doing all along: dominate.

The play of Serapio, a 5-foot-2 sophomore guard, was a key reason the Menehunes reached the semifinals of last week's Snapple Division II Girls Basketball State Championships and posted a solid third-place finish. Respectable, to say the least, for a team that had just two bench players available for four games in as many days.

"We're super proud," said third-year coach Natalie Mata, whose team notched wins over Waipahu (59-48, first round), Hawaii Prep (53-14, quarterfinal) and Hanalani (72-60, third-place final).

Waimea's only loss came in Friday's semifinal round to eventual-champion Hawaii Baptist, by a score of 56-47.

"Because we're competitive we were kind of upset when we lost that game against HBA, but now thinking back at it, Waimea High School hasn't gone to the state tournament in over 12 years — 2007 was the last time — and I believe this is the highest (finish) for a KIF team since 2012," Mata said. "Going down there with only eight girls — seven suited up to play — it's an honor. I don't even have the words to tell you how proud I am of these girls."

Serapio, a second-year starter, filled up the stat sheet in several categories last week. She averaged a double-double (21.7 ppg, 13.2 rpg) and racked up 25 steals as well as 12 assists.

"She played freely. She wasn't hesitant, she wasn't thinking, she just played freely, and that's what I've been trying to get her to do the whole season — especially offensively — (because) sometimes she thinks too much, but during the state tournament she was just herself and she played freely," Mata said.

In the tourney opener against the Marauders Wednesday, Serapio scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, registered seven steals, two assists and a block. The next day she went for 21 points and 16 boards, eight steals and four assists against Ka Makani. Despite the loss Friday against the Eagles, Serapio recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and three assists before closing out the week with a 28-point, 13-rebound performance, along with five steals and three assists, against the Royals Saturday.

"Here on (Kauai) she's had her games where she's had her troubles trying to score, but at the state tournament I think she kind of found her rhythm and her groove. She's had her up-and-down games (earlier in the season), but she's our playmaker; she's a creator," Mata said. "She makes things happen and I thought as far as the state tournament, she was consistent all-around."

Mata likened Serapio's game to that of Boston Celtics' all-star Kyrie Irving.

"She's someone who can dribble, who can handle the pressure, but at the same time she can score when she needs to," Mata said.

She added that Serapio has both athletic ability and a high basketball IQ.

"This girl is talented. This is somebody that you can go to practice and instead of teaching fundamentals, you can go a little more above and beyond and teach them a little more complicated stuff — and she still makes it look easy — so she's just a natural," Mata said.

Off the court, Serapio can be unassuming and likely overtly friendly. On the court, however, is just the opposite.

"She's a goof ball. Literally always smiling. You wouldn't even think that this kid plays sports off the courts, but when she's on the court it's totally different. I mean, you hardly see her smile because she's dialed in and in her mind it's just work time when she's on the court," Mata said.

Serapio, who carries a 4.0 GPA and also participates in volleyball for the Menehunes, is the middle of three sisters on the team (Dawn, senior; Hazel, freshman).

"I think it's good that we have them on the team because they get after each other; the older ones scold the little one, so they're always pushing each other and when they slack off they aren't afraid to tell each other," Mata said.

The season had its ups and down for Waimea. It started with a 20-point loss to Kauai before running off six straight victories. However, the Menehunes dropped two of their next three contests — both of them to Kapaa — before winning their final three games to capture the Kauai Interscholastic Federation championship and punching their ticket to states.

Mata said the tumultuous regular season fed an underdog mentality that her squad carried over into the state tournament.

"The odds were all against us going into the KIF championship game. They were saying that Kapaa had the momentum, so we're underdogs here on our island as well, so we just use that as motivation," Mata said.

Serapio, along with fellow sophomore guard Kierstin "Kiki" Gummerus (23.5 ppg in state tourney games), were selected by media and the HHSAA to the all-tournament team.

"They complement each other very well," Mata said of the duo, who have been teammates since they were eight years old.

"Kiki is our shooter, but she also picks up the slack for Kaye defensively at times. They always are a spark for each other. When one isn't doing so well, the other one picks up the slack. They know how each other plays, so they work off of each other very well," Mata said.

Mata saw seven seniors graduate after the 2017-'18 season, but this year will only lose two players who completed their eligibility last week.

"This bunch set the bar, but we gotta continue to work," Mata said. "The training starts from now, in the offseason. We can rest a little bit, but get back in there. I know these girls got a taste of it, so they'll be hungry. They told me that their goal— and this is my goal as well — is that by the time they graduate, they would like to have at last one state championship and I think if they work, it might be a dream come true."

BOYS BASKETBALL
Stephen Agcaoili, Molokai — Scored 24 points in a win over St. Anthony

Jonathan Akaka, Hanalani — Scored 32 points in a win over Le Jardin

Kaimana Baker, St. Anthony — Scored 24 points in a loss to Molokai

Kai Carbajal, Kekaulike — Scored 23 points in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Brandon Chung, Kalani — Scored 12 points with 13 rebounds, two steals and an assist in a win over Campbell

CJ Cromartie, Kauai — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kapaa

Patrick Doster, Haleakala Waldorf — Scored 22 points in a win over St. Anthony and scored 22 points in a loss to Lanai

Ethan Erickson, Kahuku — Scored 10 points with 12 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and an assist in a win over Mililani

Alakai Gonsalves, Kapaa — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kauai

Jakob Kimura, Punahou — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha

Kama Konohia, Seabury Hall — Scored 17 points in a win over Hana

Darius Lauture, Kekaulike — Scored 20 points in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Isaiah Lee, Kalani — Scored 33 points with seven rebounds, five steals, two assists and one block in a win over Campbell

Kawika Lee, Iolani — Scored 18 points in a win over Saint Louis

Kaulana Makaula, Punahou — Scored 19 points in a win over Saint Louis and scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha

DiAeris McRaven, Moanalua — Scored 18 points in a win over Roosevelt

Ethan Neru, Konawaena — Scored 17 points in a win over Kealakehe

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 22 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Kordel Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 18 points in a win over Mid-Pacific and scored 22 points in a loss to Maryknoll

Ryan Pardini, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points in a win over Leilehua and scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to Kailua

Reece Pascua, Lahainaluna — Scored 21 points in a win over Maui

Noah Payne, Seabury Hall — Scored 21 points in a win over Hana

Tyder Rebibis, University Lab — Scored 19 points in a win over Saint Louis II

Tre Rickard, Lahainaluna — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui

Howard Robert, Kealakehe — Scored 29 points in a loss to Konawaena

Geremy Robinson, Moanalua — Scored 19 points in a win over Roosevelt

Kamalu Segundo, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kekaulike and scored 19 points in a loss to Kekaulike

Kanoa Smith, Kalaheo — Scored 17 points in a win over Leilehua

Trey Taba, Saint Louis — Scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani

Everett Torres-Kahapea, Kailua — Scored 25 points in a win over Kalaheo

Kenji Toyama, Kaiser — Scored 21 points, including six 3-pointers and 11-of-12 shooting on free throws, in a win over Nanakuli

Micah Visoria, Roosevelt — Scored 23 points in a win over Aiea and scored 19 points in a loss to Moanalua

Max Wiemken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 27 points, including 10-of-11 shooting on free throws, in a win over Iolani II

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ashley Akamine, Lahainaluna — Scored 20 points with two rebounds, four steals and an assist in a loss to Waiakea

Alayna Akiona, Kalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Radford

Tanya Blakeney, Kaiser — Scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, one assist and a steal in a loss to Maui

Maya Claytor, Kahuku — Scored 15 points, including five 3-pointers, with two rebounds and two assists in a win over Maui

Mia DePonte, Waipahu — Scored 14 points with nine rebounds and one assist in a loss to Waimea

Jazelle Dorser, Waiakea — Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a win over Kahuku

Tyra Goo Sun, University Lab — Scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block in a win over Kau and scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, with six rebounds, two steals and an assist in a loss to Seabury Hall

Kierstin Gummerus, Waimea — Scored 22 points with four steals and two rebounds in a win over Waipahu, scored 20 points with four rebounds, four steals and an assist in a win over Hawaii Prep, scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, with four steals and two rebounds in a loss to Hawaii Baptist and scored 30 points with six rebounds and four steals in a win over Hanalani

Kalena Halunajan, Kalani — Scored 21 points with six rebounds and two steals in a win over Waiakea, scored 14 points with three rebounds, three assists and three steals in a loss to Kamehameha

Grace Lyn Hing, Konawaena — Scored 20 points with six 3-pointers, five rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a win over Leilehua

Kelsie Imai, Waiakea — Scored 12 points with 13 rebounds, two assists and four steals in a win over Lahainaluna and scored 15 points with 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks in a win over Kahuku

Reishalyn NK Jara, Kau — Scored 17 points with six rebounds and three steals in a loss to University Lab and scored 19 points with eight rebounds, two steals an assist in a loss to Waipahu

Kaitlyn Kalani, Saint Francis — Scored 12 points with 11 rebounds, three steals, one assist and a block in a loss to Farrington

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Kalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Radford, scored 17 points with 18 rebounds, four blocks, one assist and a steal in a win over Waiakea, scored 13 points with 11 rebounds, two steals and a block in a loss to Kamehameha

Tati Kamae, Kahuku — Scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and an assist in a loss to Waiakea

Caiyle Kaupu, Konawaena — Scored 17 points with 14 rebounds and an assist in a win over Kahuku and scored 26 points with 11 rebounds two assists in a win over Kalani

Lily Lefotu Wahinekapu, Iolani — Scored 14 points with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in a win over Maui, scored 14 points with three rebounds and two steals in a win over Konawaena and scored 17 points with four rebounds and a steal in a win over Kamehameha

Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan, Waiakea — Scored 16 points with three rebounds, three steals and an assist in a win over Lahainaluna

Leiah Naeata, Kahuku — Scored 16 points with 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals in a loss to Konawaena, scored 16 points with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in a win over Maui and scored 16 points with 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a loss to Waiakea

Briarra Nakihei, Castle — Scored 17 points with 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in a loss to Hanalani

Susitina Namoa, Lahainaluna — Scored 15 points with eight rebounds, five steals and one block in a loss to Kamehameha and scored 24 points with 10 rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block in a loss to Waiakea

Kyley Nakagawa, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 17 points with four rebounds, five steals and an assist in a win over Farrington and scored 15 points with four rebounds and an assist in a win over Waimea

Kalina Obrey, Kamehameha — Scored 16 points with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over Mililani, scored 38 points with 17 rebounds, three assists and a steal in a win over Kalani and scored 24 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block in a loss to Iolani

Honey Let Padasdao, Maui — Scored 20 points with four rebounds, three steals and an assist in a win over Kaiser

Anna Penitusi, Waipahu — Scored 14 points with 12 rebounds and a steal in a loss to Waimea, scored 19 points with 14 rebounds and an assist in a win over Saint Francis and scored 12 points with 14 rebounds and two steals in a win over Kau

Sasha Phillip, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 14 points with seven rebounds and a steal in a win over Farrington

Kaliana Salazar Harrell, Konawaena — Scored 15 points with seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a win over Leilehua, scored 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and an assist in a win over Kahuku

Lishae Scanlan, Hanalani — Scored 17 points with three rebounds, three steals and three blocks in a win over Castle and scored 26 points with 15 rebounds, three steals and three blocks in a loss Seabury Hall

Manutagi Seei, Radford — Scored 16 points in a loss to Kalani

Keeli-Jade Smith, Waiakea — Scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block in a win over Kahuku

Keila Tsutsui, Hanalani — Scored 14 points with six rebounds and five steals in a win over Kamehamhea-Hawaii, scored 18 points with six rebounds, two assist and a steal in a win over Castle and scored 25 points with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in a loss to Waimea

Anau Tuivai, Seabury Hall — Scored 26 points with 11 rebounds and two assists in a win over University Lab and scored 12 points with 12 rebounds, four blocks and a steal in a win over Hanalani

Ameera Waterford, Seabury Hall — Scored 19 points with eight rebounds, eight steals, four assists and a block in a win over University Lab and scored 19 points with four rebounds, five steals and three assists in a win over Hanalani

Taylor Wu, Iolani — Scored 15 points with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in a win over Konawaena and scored 19 points with three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in a win over Kamehameha

BOYS SOCCER
Braden Bantolina, Kapolei — Scored the lone goal in a win over Pearl City

Isaiah Easley, Makua Lani — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Laa Gonsalves, Kapaa — Scored the lone goal in a win over Saint Louis

Skyler Goo, Saint Louis — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kalaheo

Minjae Kim, Kalani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Hilo

Ayden Lawes, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Campbell

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

Max Moonier, Punahou — Scored the lone goal in a win over Iolani

Johnny Movaghar, Kapaa — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Lincoln Oishi, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Kaiser and scored two goals in a win over Kapolei

Connor Prados, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani

Jhoel Sarraude, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Hawaii Prep

Louie Smith, Seabury Hall — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua

Cole Uyehara, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Kalani