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Noah Scherman

Iolani soccer  •   #8  F  Senior

Front and center, that's where you'll find Noah Scherman on the pitch.

The senior center forward has played a prominent role for the Iolani boys soccer team this season and last week reinforced just that when Scherman, a 5-foot-8, 145-pound first-year starter, scored a goal in both of the Raiders' big late-season wins in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play. 

Scherman netted the go-ahead goal in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over previously-undefeated Punahou and followed that up with another goal in Saturday's 3-0 win over Kamehameha. 

"He's a goal scorer, so he puts himself in good situations to score goals," Iolani interim coach Travis Watanabe said of Scherman, a second-year varsity player for the Raiders (6-1-1). 

The left-footed Scherman has been prolific all season, Watanabe noted. 

"He just has a knack for scoring goals. He's always around the goal, creating opportunities for us in the box and even in training, when we play small side or possession game, he's always finding the net, always trying to score and that's something we haven't had in recent years is a pure goal scorer and he's been scoring quite a few goals for us this year," he said. 

Scherman's pair of goals last week were very typical to the other times he's put away scoring chances in the attacking third, his coach described. 

"He's always at the right spot at the right time and that's hard to coach, hard to teach guys to be in the right place at the right time, but he just finds spots where he needs to be," Watanabe said. 

Against Punahou last Wednesday, Iolani rallied from a one-goal deficit at halftime with two second-half goals. After Keao Kawaakoa drew a foul in the box, Kaleb Abara converted the ensuing penalty kick at around the 50th minute. 

About five minutes after the equalizer, Kawaakoa assisted on Scherman's go-ahead goal. 

"Keao beat two guys then beat a third guy to get into the box and basically found Noah sitting between two defenders — that's what he does — and he was able to finish and put it in the back of the net, but he found a spot that Keao could find him," Watanabe said. 

The Buffanblu (6-1-1) saw their five-game win streak snapped by the Raiders. 

"We knew it was gonna be tough and we knew we needed to get a result because if not, we would be down," Watanabe said. "Kamehameha capitalized on one mistake in the first half on us, but second half I told the boys that we've got nothing to lose, whether it's one-zero, two-zero, three-zero — just go pressure them and make them make mistakes and capitalize and go forward, go to goal and we were able to do that and get two goals in that half."

Scherman's goal against Kamehameha — the second of Iolani's three second-half goals — three days later played out in quite similar fashion. 

"Same thing," Watanabe chuckled. "It was a cross that went a little too far to the back post, Ian Yogi put it back in across the goal and right there was Noah to tap it in for a goal."

Watanabe noted that despite his level of production, Scherman remains humble with a steadfast work ethic. 

"He's just hard working, he's always willing to learn and he's very coachable. He brings a seriousness, but calmness to the group. He has the attitude of wanting to do well, wanting to do well and he always tries to find the positive in things. He's just one of those cool guys: level-headed, off the field he's a very, calm, relaxed typical guy that likes to go to the beach on his free time," Watanabe said. 

Before soccer season each winter, Scherman spends his fall sports season with the Iolani boys water polo team. Watanabe hasn't had the chance to see Scherman in the pool, but he's observed quite a progression on the pitch from Scherman's junior season, when he was a reserve off the bench. 

"We always knew he could score goals, we always knew he had a good left foot, but in one year from last year to this year there's been growth, not just with his scoring, but his understanding the game and what we want from him," Watanabe said. 

The Raiders' win over the Warriors (4-3-1) played out in stark contrast to the 2-0 loss at Kunuiakea Stadium back on Jan. 4. 

"We didn't play well that first time against them," Watanabe recalled. "We just missed a lot of half-chance opportunities that we didn't take care of and at the end of the day, (Kamehameha) dominated. The second time around, we're playing at home and we needed to make sure we took care of business, because if not, we're tied up again (in the ILH standings), so it was a big game and the boys played well."

The result gave Iolani a fourth consecutive win and tied it with Punahou atop the ILH Division I standings with two matches to play; Kamehameha is two games back. The top two teams in the final league standings will move on to the state tournament. 

"We have two big games still left that we're not looking past, just making sure the boys stay focused and hopefully we can continue how we've been playing and it's one game at a time," Watanabe said. "For Noah, he's just plugging along, working every day, trying to get better."

Scherman and the Raiders visit Mid-Pacific (3-3-2) Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. and then will take on Punahou, Saturday at 3 p.m at Alexander Field to close out the ILH season. 

Should the Raiders and Buffanblu remain tied after the 10-game schedule, a playoff would take place on Feb. 1 to determine the league champion and seeded state-tournament berth. 

BOYS SOCCER 

Brennen Corrededore, Kauai — Scored two goals in a win over Waimea 

Caleb Corpuz, PAC-5 — Scored three goals in a win over Saint Louis 

Jon Ellman, Le Jardin — Scored three goals in a win over Damien 

Nate Lawton, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a tie with Kealakehe 

Mikey Melvin, Island School — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kauai 

Aziah Nelson, Waiakea — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa 

Aukele Paikuli-Campbell, Makua Lani — Scored four goals in a win over Christian Liberty and scored two goals in a win over Keaau 

Owen Riecke, Kekaulike — Scored four goals in a win over Maui

Sawyer Rogoff, Island School — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapaa 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jericho Adolpho, Molokai — Scored 19 points in a loss to Lanai 

Leonard Ah You, Kahuku — Scored 21 points in a win over Roosevelt 

Poo Aiu, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kekaulike 

Makaiah Alboro, Lanai — Scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Molokai 

Noah Ambrose, Maryknoll II — Scored 22 points in a win over Hanalani 

Anthony Bautista, Pearl City — Scored 17 points in a win over Waianae 

CJ Bostic, Kalaheo — Scored 18 points with six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a win over Farrington 

Dawson Calhoun, Radford — Scored 17 points in a win over Nanakuli 

Kyle Davies, Kekaulike — Scored 23 points in a win over Baldwin

Jaron Gilmore, Kalaheo — Scored 28 points with six rebounds, seven assists and five steals in a win over Farrington and scored 28 points in a win over Kalani 

Isaiah Harmon, Radford — Scored 17 points in a loss to Mililani 

Seth Harman, Kaiser — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kahuku 

Jaydon Hook, Kohala — Scored 14 points with 12 rebounds in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Akila Indalecio, Iolani — Scored 17 points in an overtime win over Maryknoll 

Keenan Kahoekapu, Castle — Scored 19 points in a loss to Moanalua 

Kache Kaio, Kahuku — Scored 28 points in a win over Kaiser 

Keaka Kauhane, Kapaa — Scored 25 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Waimea 

Layden Kauka, Kohala — Scored 17 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Dragon Kekahuna, Nanakuli — Scored 19 points in a loss to Radford 

Peyton Kuhia-Smith, Waiakea — Scored 17 points in a win over Kau 

Koa Laboy, University Lab — Scored 20 points in a win over Maryknoll II 

Cyris Laury-Schaefer, Haleakala Waldorf — Scored 18 points in a loss to Seabury Hall 

Kayman Lewis, Roosevelt — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kailua 

Daysin Lupica, Kaimuki — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kalani 

Zelston Militante, Leilehua — Scored 20 points in a win over Kapolei

Issac Mirey, Kauai — Scored 17 points in a win over Kapaa 

Avery Pauole, Baldwin — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kekaulike 

Jonny Philbrick, Kailua — Scored 25 points in a win over Roosevelt

Michael Price, Saint Louis II — Scored 20 points in a win over Hanalani 

Mikey Questin, Kapaa — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kauai 

Joshua Rego, Kauai — Scored 24 points in a win over Island School 

Kiandray Rideout, Honokaa — Scored 22 points in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Joshua Schutter, Kalani — Scored 35 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Kaimuki 

Pupualii Sepulona, Saint Louis — Scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha and scored 29 points in a loss to Punahou 

Eli Shibuya, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points in a win over Saint Louis II 

Matthew Shigetani, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha II 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 24 points in a win over St. Joseph

Noah Takahata, Hanalani — Scored 22 points in a loss to Saint Louis II, scored 20 points in a loss to Punahou II and scored 19 points in a win over Le Jardin 

Hayden Taylor, Kaiser — Scored 12 points with 11 rebounds in a win over Kaimuki 

Kaina Watson, Kamehameha — Scored 18 points in a loss to Punahou 

Aidan Wong, Iolani — Scored 20 points in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Christian Yagin, Hanalani — Scored 21 points in a loss to Maryknoll II and scored 19 points in a loss to Punahou II 

Justin Yap, Maryknoll — Scored 22 points in a win over Kamehameha 

Kiai Yasso, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 25 points in a loss to Kohala 

Joey Lin

Hawaii Baptist basketball  •   #32  F  Senior

When it comes to Joey Lin on a basketball court, there is no downshifting. Ever. 

Nobody knows that better than her coach at Hawaii Baptist, Robin Yamaguchi, who says that the 5-foot-9 forward has only displayed one speed in all of her four varsity seasons.

"She hustles and hustles until she runs out of gas and you can see the pain on her face, so I gotta take her out," Yamaguchi said of the senior and second-year starter. 

"I mean, she's gonna run through a brick wall, go through anything to get the job done and play her hardest. I never have to say, ‘come on, Joey, let's go.' Her motor keeps on going and going until she runs out of gas because she works super hard all the time," he added. 

Lin's hard work parlayed into a starting spot as a junior last year, when the Eagles captured a Division II state championship, their second in four years and third overall. Lin scored a game-high 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds with two steals and a block in the title game; She was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the state tournament. 

Lin averaged 9.5 points per game and earned both All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu and All-Hawaii first team honors. 

However, HBA graduated four seniors since its coronation last February, including All-Hawaii First Team guard Emi Wada and Second Team forward Hayley Taka; the pair accounted for nearly 20 points per game. 

That's meant more on the shoulders of Lin this season. 

"Before we didn't have to have her score as much, but now we need for her to score as well as rebound and then play the biggest post that the opponent has; She's always assigned to them," Yamaguchi said. 

Lin is the tallest player on the roster and one of only two listed above 5 feet, 6 inches tall. 

"Before we had a little bigger, or same-size girls that took care of the bigs, but now she's it because of our little tiny size," Yamaguchi said. 

Subsequently, the demands have taken a physical toll on Lin, who is also on the HBA track team in the spring. 

"She works so hard and she gets beat up and she keeps on coming out; She perseveres," Yamaguchi said. "She keeps on coming out and she doesn't back down until I take her out."

Yamaguchi said that much of Lin's value isn't reflected in the scorebook or statistics. 

"I think playing defense. She doesn't look like she can because of her frame, She doesn't look like she can handle the bigger opponents, but against the (Division I teams), she's able to handle against them. I mean, she gets beaten up, but she handles and once again, she'll just play until I take her out," he said. 

On the other end of the floor, Lin has proven to be a mismatch for opponents. She scored a season-high 13 points against Iolani II on the opening night of the ILH season and is averaging 8.4 points per game in league play — just behind fellow-senior Trislyn Maeda (8.6 ppg). 

"Because of the fact that she just loves to slash, it's hard for other teams to matchup with her. Sometimes they have to put a smaller person her just to match her speed and height-wise she's able to take advantage of that, because she can jump higher and she always grabs more rebounds than anybody, so that's good for us," Yamaguchi said. 

Lin and the Eagles (10-2) put together a trio of wins last week to propel themselves atop the ILH Division II standings. 

The week started with a 46-21 win over Punahou II last Monday; Lin led the way with a game-high 11 points. She registered a double-double a night later with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 48-43 win over Sacred Hearts. Lin also tallied three blocks, three steals and a couple of assists in the victory. Lin finished off the week with a team-high 12-point effort in Thursday night's 40-35 road win over Hanalani. 

The Eagles avenged losses to both the Lancers and Royals two weeks prior. 

"I think this time we played better defense and I don't think we gave them as many second shots, like the first time and then the amount of turnovers. We practice trying to break the press, break the half-court press a little more instead of trying to dribble through it and we tried to put Joey in the middle so we had a bigger outlet, versus getting covered up by the different defenders," Yamaguchi explained. 

He pointed out Lin's work on the glass as key elements to all three games. 

"I think the rebounding was key. I think she averaged eight or nine rebounds a game those three games and against Hanalani and Sacred Hearts she really rebounded well and played good defense," said Yamaguchi, who expressed that Lin's work ethic has permeated the rest of the team. 

"I think so. I think the underclassmen have seen how hard she works during the game and they work even harder, so they don't let her carry the whole weight, they don't just stand around and watch her, they've been rebound as well and trying to get play good defense like her," he said. 

Yamaguchi can speak at length about Lin's game, but she isn't one to draw much attention to herself. 

"She's a ‘I'll-show-you' kind of leader, no talking. She talks a little, but most of the time she just shows it on the court and shows it in the drills because her only speed is fast and people try to keep up with her and they cannot," he said. "The vocal part, she'll always defer to the other seniors and let them do their thing, but come game time the switch turns on and she says, ‘OK, let's go.' "

HBA finished in a tie for first place with Hanalani after the 11-game ILH season, which led to a playoff for the first-round title between the teams Monday night. The Eagles won, 36-28, to earn a seeded berth and first-round bye at next week's Heide & Cook/HHSAA D2 State Championships. 

"We always had injuries or were bringing people up from the JV, so we finally were able to get a group together, finally got a solid eight-(deep rotation) going into states and they've been playing together pretty well, so I think we're kind of jelling at the right time, we hope," Yamaguchi said. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Shynastee Ahina, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 18 points in a win over St. Andrew's 

Kalena Akinaka, Kealakehe — Scored 26 points in a loss to Baldwin and scored 23 points in a loss to Baldwin 

Nahenahe Alo, Sacred Hearts — Scored 14 points with 10 rebounds, eight steals and four assists in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Theresa Anakalea, Damien — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kamehameha and scored 26 points in a loss to Punahou 

Maile Bellevue, Mid-Pacific — Scored 16 points in an overtime loss to Kamehameha II 

Joseana Rae Delatori, Lahainaluna — Scored 22 points in a win over Baldwin 

Destiny Delos Santos, Pahoa — Scored 16 points in a win over Kealakehe 

Lauryn DuBach, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 15 points in a win over Kekaulike 

Jordan Edens, Kealakehe — Scored 18 points in a loss to Pahoa 

Kamille Febo-Santiago, Christian Liberty — Scored 21 points in a loss to Waiakea 

Miyah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 20 points in an overtime win over Waipahu 

Myah Galdeira, Kailua — Scored 20 points in an overtime win over Waipahu 

Aubree Gonzalez, Baldwin — Scored 15 points in a win over Kekaulike 

Darcie Gonzalez, Kamehameha II — Scored 18 points in an overtime loss to Mid-Pacific 

Puaena Herrington, Waiakea — Scored 17 points in a win over Christian Liberty 

Maela Honma, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 24 points in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Leila Hooper-Phifer, Molokai — Scored 19 points in a loss to Lanai 

Haley Hosino, McKinley — Scored 15 points in an overtime win over Waianae 

Keanu Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 28 points in a win over Hawaii Prep and scored 17 points in a loss to Konawaena 

Veniza Jackson, Lanai — Scored 22 points in a win over Molokai 

Jaylynn Kaawaloa-Alidon, Pahoa — Scored 15 points in a win over Kealakehe 

Makana Kamakeeaina, Damien — Scored 11 points with 11 rebounds in a loss to Punahou 

Braelyn Kauhi, Konawaena — Scored 22 points in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Ellana Klemp, Hanalani — Scored 18 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Brooke Kurasaki, Mililani — Scored 15 points in a win over Roosevelt 

Kylie La Fountain, Waipahu — Scored 22 points in an overtime loss to Kailua 

Mikylah Lebanon, Kamehameha — Scored 17 points in a win over Damien 

Alexus Maae, Kaiser — Scored 22 points in a win over Mililani 

Talo Mafatini, Baldwin — Scored 19 points in a win over Kekaulike and scored 26 points in a win over Kekaulike 

Olivia Malafu, Kapaa — Scored 19 points in a win over Waimea 

Jolie Mantz, Waiakea — Scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Christian 

Hailey Mata, Waimea — Scored 15 points in a win over Kauai 

Maesha Muaau, Nanakuli — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kahuku 

Hema Nakaahiki-Young, Kauai — Scored 15 points on five 3-pointers in a loss to Waimea 

Paige Oh, Iolani — Scored 21 points in an overtime win over Maryknoll 

Haley Ostrander, Lanai — Scored 16 points in a win over Haleakala Waldorf

Kristen Ragasa, Honokaa — Scored 15 points in a win over Keaau and scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaii Prep 

Makelah Richardson, Roosevelt — Scored 19 points in a loss to Mililani 

Schlyan Safotu, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 16 points in a win over St. Andrew's 

Mele Sake, Iolani — Scored 17 points in a win over Punahou 

Taira Samiano, Kapaa — Scored 15 points in a win over Kauai 

Brooke Samura, Hawaii Prep — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii and scored 32 points in a win over Honokaa 

Keilani Stewart, Punahou — Scored 15 points in a loss to Maryknoll 

Laynee Torres-Kahapea, Punahou — Scored 21 points in a win over Damien 

Ciera Tugade-Agasiva, Maryknoll — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou 

Jirah Villanueva, Radford — Scored 19 points in a win over Kahuku 

Tuisila Wily-Ava, Kahuku — Scored 22 points in a win over Nanakuli 

GIRLS SOCCER

Bella Ayau, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored three goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Riley Bockrath, Waiakea — Scored two goals in a win over Honokaa 

Rylie Echavaria, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Pearl City 

Jamali-Jean Faitau-Pagaduan, Aiea — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaiser 

Hiilei Hamberg, Kapaa — Scored two goals in a win over Waimea 

Solala Nasu, PAC-5 — Scored three goals in a win over Damien 

Maddison Shearer, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Iolani 

Jezarae Teixeira, Campbell — Scored two goals in a loss to Mililani 

Taylor Thomas, Moanalua — Scored the lone goal in a win over Waipahu 

Aileah Villatora, Kauai — Scored three goals in a win over Waimea