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Jaron Gilmore

Kalaheo basketball  •   #1  G  Sophomore

Jaron Gilmore fills a number of different roles for the Kalaheo boys basketball team.

Gilmore, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound sophomore, possesses a skillset that allows the rangy second-year starter to play anywhere from the point guard, shooting guard, small forward and even a stretch power forward when the Mustangs go to a smaller lineup. Not to mention his athleticism.

"As a long guard he can help us with certain matchups," Kalaheo coach Rob Pardini said of Gilmore. "Defensively, he's able to play a bigger kid. Obviously as a guard, he can be kind of smothering as a defender for the small guards and we ask him to do a lot."

Pardini said that Gilmore's versatility extends to both ends of the court.

"We like him to get to the glass on both ends to grab offensive and defensive rebounds for us with his size and length. He's great for us on the press side for defense; we put him at the top with his length and that helps us a lot," Pardini added.

Gilmore's offensive prowess extends from the paint all the way beyond the 3-point line.

"He plays fast, he's got good pace to his game and he can score at all three levels. He's got the range for 3s, he's got a good midrange and he finishes well at the rim," Pardini described.

If he's not finishing at the rim, Gilmore has shown the ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line, which has been a point of emphasis for Pardini and his coaching staff this winter.

"He's aggressive and he's aggressive going to the rim. He likes to get out in transition offensively, whether it's with or without the ball, so he's very good in transition, but I think most importantly getting to the free-throw line is something we stress with our players – we want to get to the rim, we want to either get a finish or an and-1 and I think he's probably one of our best at attacking and getting to the rim, getting downhill and ultimately getting to the free-throw line," Pardini said.

Pardini noted that long rebounds to Gilmore can often lead to fast-break opportunities in transition.

"Outside the points, he does a great job of rebounding for us, especially defensively. He's got that great length so when he gets a rebound it's easy for him to push at that point; He doesn't have to outlet, he can take it himself and push the tempo for us," Pardini said.

As a freshman last year, Gilmore averaged 18.3 points per game during the regular season, including five games of 20-or-more points. He scored a career-high 28 points in back-to-back games against Farrington and Kalani.

In the time since, Gilmore has spent more of his time weight training and has added more muscle to his frame.

"He got in the weight room quite a bit in the offseason so he's put on some weight, he's gotten stronger and he's definitely got a little taller and all of that has helped his overall game," Pardini explained.

Given that Gilmore almost never comes off the court, his conditioning is crucial to his availability – so is his ability to play without getting into foul trouble.

"He's in there as long as he can in each quarter," Pardini said. "With his game offensively, the big thing for him is to watch for charge calls and to try to get to the rim under control, so that's something he's working on and then defensively too, with all the hand check rules, that's something that we've stressed – not just with him, but everybody – to try to work with your feet and keep the hands off the body defensively and I think he's done well on both of those."

Although Gilmore was not tabbed as a captain, he is certainly in a position of leadership, Pardini said.

"He wants to be a leader and he's definitely stepped into that role. He's gotta be able to do a lot for us this year, but at the same time, with the additions that we have on the roster, he's not asked to do as much, he's definitely more mature, not just physically, but also mentally," Pardini said.

Collectively, the Mustangs remain a work in progress.

"We're going through some growth things right now where we're trying to figure out kind of who we are identity-wise. Consistency has been a big discussion point for us; can we sustain and consistently do good things on both ends of the floor for four quarters? We've had some great halves, some great quarters, but we've also had some issues in quarters and halves where we weren't consistent, so that's the biggest thing we're stressing is, ‘let's remain focused and consistent for four quarters and continue to figure out our identity, who we are and how we can play together,' " Pardini said.

Kalaheo has put together a 6-7 record this preseason, including a 3-1 mark last week. In wins over Le Jardin and Kaiser last week Monday and Tuesday, Gilmore scored 20 points each night. He was held to six points in a loss to Maryknoll Wednesday, then closed out the week with nine points in a win over Kapaa Friday.

Basketball is in the blood for Gilmore, whose father, George, was a standout for Chaminade University during his collegiate career. His brother, Kaleb, starred at Maryknoll and Kalaheo during his prep days, then went on to play at Chaminade and eventually finished out his career at UH-Hilo.

"It's an amazing basketball family of superstars, so I think Jaron is getting everything he needs as far as discussing the game and helping him in situations. I think he's getting so much good information from dad and brother; I think it's amazing for him and they're very supportive and knowledgeable, so it's a great thing," Pardini said.

Jaron Gilmore and the Mustangs will take part in the Tony Sellitto Challenge at Maryknoll's Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium. They will face No. 8 University Lab Tuesday, Damien Wednesday and host Maryknoll Thursday before they open Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division play Saturday at Kalani.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jericho Adolpho, Molokai — Scored 18 points in a win over Maui Prep and scored 15 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Trey Ambrozich, University Lab — Scored 15 points with 13 rebounds, 11 blocks, two steals and two assists in a win over Castle 

Anthony Bautista, Pearl City — Scored 29 points in a win over Roosevelt 

Levi Damo-Agcaoili, Damien — Scored 18 points in a loss to Campbell and scored 22 points in a win over Pearl City 

Jacques Djurberg, Lahainaluna — Scored 21 points in a win over Maui 

Ivan Domingo, Maui — Scored 17 points in a loss to Lahainaluna 

Bromo Dorn, Seabury Hall — Scored 19 points in a win over Le Jardin 

Kobe Garcia, Seabury Hall — Scored 18 points in a win over Le Jardin 

Isaiah Harmon, Radford — Scored 17 points in a win over Roosevelt 

Jayden Hook, Kohala — Scored 24 points in a win over Konawaena 

Miles Hornage, Campbell — Scored 18 points in a win over Damien and scored 16 points in a win over Punahou II 

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 22 points in a win over Honokaa 

Keenan Kahoekapu, Kalaheo — Scored 20 points in a win over Kapaa 

Laakea Kamahele, Le Jardin — Scored 17 points in a win over Maryknoll II 

Layden Kauka, Kohala — Scored 23 points in a win over St. Joseph and scored 21 points in a win over Konawaena 

Tevainui Loft, Lahainaluna — Scored 19 points in a win over Maui 

Heath Lopez, Molokai — Scored 19 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Daysen Lupica, Kaimuki — Scored 18 points in a win over Trinity Grammar

Hunter Marumoto, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points in a win over Nanakuli and scored 16 points in a win over Punahou 

Zion Milare, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points in a win over Nanakuli 

Payton Pana, Hilo — Scored 26 points in a win over Pahoa and scored 17 points in a win over Keaau 

Jensen Pang, Maryknoll II — Scored 21 points in a loss to Le Jardin and scored 21 points in a loss to Nanakuli 

Sebastian Peterson, Seabury Hall — Scored 20 points in a win over Le Jardin 

Matthew Pien, Punahou II — Scored 25 points in a loss to Campbell 

Maddox Pung, Kailua — Scored 16 points in a win over Radford and scored 22 points in a win over Waianae 

Mauloa Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Noah Takahata, Hanalani — Scored 27 points in a win over Aiea and scored 16 points in a win over Kapaa 

James Taras, Punahou — Scored 25 points in a loss to Maryknoll 

Kyler Wade, Kamehameha — Scored 20 points in a win over Aiea 

Jeremiah White, Kaimuki — Scored 18 points in a win over Trinity Grammar

Caden Williams, Radford — Scored 19 points in a loss to Kailua 

Nixis Yamauchi, Maryknoll — Scored 17 points in a win over Nanakuli and scored 17 points in a win over Punahou 

Kiai Yasso, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 17 points in a win over Honokaa 

BOYS SOCCER

Isaac Davies, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo 

Gideon Gonda, Waipahu — Scored two goals in a tie with Nanakuli 

Master Kanatip Somtisunpun, McKinley — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaimuki 

Evan Kaolowi, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Cale MacMillan, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington 

Desmond Maurer, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over McKinley 

Sage Ryden, Seabury Hall — Scored three goals in a win over Kihei Charter 

Keoki Stephens, Aiea — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Julissa Bollinger

Radford basketball  •   #23  G/F  Senior

Charles Chong can recall a vivid memory of Julissa Bollinger from a few years ago.

It was during an impromptu tryout session just before the start of the 2021-2022 girls basketball season, when Bollinger – a then-recent transfer from Texas – sought a spot on the Radford roster.

"She showed up just before the season and she was kind of out of shape, but I remember just going through some simple drills with her and man, she was kegging," recalled Chong, who took over the Rams in 2014.

"The funny thing I remember about her and that tryout was in the middle of it, she said, ‘Hey coach, hold on for a second, OK?' And she went outside and threw up a bunch of blueberry-looking stuff and then she just stood up, said, ‘OK, what's next?," Chong said.

Even though he was caught off guard by the moment, Chong said Bollinger's reaction spoke volumes to him about her mental makeup.

"That said something about her and showed some toughness to her even though she was out of shape. She had some skills and she made the team, but didn't know much as far as defenses and stuff, but she slowly worked her way into the system and my impression of her from the beginning was that she was pretty competitive yet calm on the court, which is good," Chong added.

Chong noted that at Bollinger's previous school, she was forced into a do-it-all role on an inexperienced team.

"She played her freshman year on a team where they weren't very good, so she had to kind of do everything, but she could see the floor pretty well and because the school she was at, people couldn't dribble, she could find people and she's very athletic, strong, aggressive and competitive, so we really felt like she could really contribute," he said.

Bollinger saw limited action as a sophomore on a Radford team that put together an 11-3 league record and qualified for the state tournament. As a junior last year, Bollinger cracked the starting lineup and ended up being the team's fourth-leading scorer at 8.9 points per game. She scored in double digits in four games during Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division play, but put together arguably her best game of the year in the opening round of the state tournament.

In a 48-42 loss to Maui in Kahului, Bollinger shot 9 of 12 from the field and finished with a season-high 18 points. She also grabbed 10 rebounds to record a double-double and added four assists and four steals in 30 minutes played.

"The team didn't have its best game, but she had a really good team and it was almost a breakout game where you felt like she was ready to step into a leadership role next year and so far she's doing a really good job taking a lot on her shoulders for the team. She's not afraid to communicate on the court and it's kind of basically shaping into what I felt she could be by her senior year, so it's a good thing," Chong said.

Bollinger often deferred at times last season to then-senior post Mailana Mattos and then-junior guard Jirah Villanueva, both of whom earned All-OIA West First Team honors. This year, however, with a few added inches of growth, Bollinger has made a smooth transition into more of a primary scoring role at the small and power forward positions.

"She plays a little bit of everything for us, one through five, but with her it's about her competitiveness; She plays ‘no-fear' basketball, which I like about her," Chong described. "She hasn't shot too many 3s this year and she's a decent shooter and has a pretty good stroke, but this year we're encouraging her to be more inside-outside. We emphasize attitude and effort and she's had both of those from the start."

Bollinger's desire to compete has had a residual effect on her teammates, Chong notes.

"She's not afraid to let you know if she thinks you could be doing better. What we say is cheer your teammates on and give energy and she's good at doing both. I hear her encouraging other girls and I also hear her getting on other girls' case, which, like all leaders and captains, you have to learn the balance of when to push and when to pull and I think she's finding her way into fulfilling that leadership role pretty well," Chong said.

The Rams will lean heavily on the trio of Bollinger, Villanueva and fellow returning guard, Olena Umetsu.

"We won our share of games in the preseason, but we're getting some experience. We have basically those three girls who have been around and then the rest of the girls are new and from JV so they're still learning the game, but we've got a lot covered up to this point," Chong said.

Chong made note of a preseason trip to Portland, Oregon that allowed for further team bonding amongst his bunch.

"That was really helpful to them out of their environment, out of their comfort zone and it really helped with the cohesion with the team, so it was a really good trip for us," he expressed.

The Rams opened up the regular season last week with a hard-fought 56-45 win over Mililani Friday night at Jim Alegre Gymnasium. Bollinger netted a game-high 22 points and also grabbed a number of timely rebounds down the stretch.

"She was really a warrior in the key, getting rebounds, playing defense and people look at her points that she got in that last game, but they don't see that she got a lot of key rebounds on both ends of the court; She's just an all-around player and it's great to have her in the program," Chong said.

The victory was a coveted one in the eyes of Chong and it came against a quality opponent.

"I thought it was huge for us because we're still kind of a team finding out who we are. Mililani was hitting everything in the beginning and the girls had to respond well. We didn't know how they would respond with it being a regular season atmosphere versus the preseason, so I was really proud to see how the team just kind of hung in there and kept playing and we made some adjustments along the way and it worked out for us," Chong said.

Bollinger and the Rams (1-0) will play their next three games on the road, beginning with a matchup against two-time defending OIA champion Campbell (1-0) Wednesday night.  

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Shynastee Ahina, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 23 points in a win over St. Andrew's and scored 21 points in a win over La Pietra 

Ceanne Baliaris, Kamehameha — Scored 15 points in a win over Damien 

Khloe Bicoy, Molokai — Scored 20 points in a win over Hana 

Kaila Chun, Castle — Scored 17 points in a win over Anuenue 

Kiana Cueto, Damien — Scored 15 points in a loss to Kamehameha II 

Lola Donez, Lahainaluna — Scored 30 points in a win over Maui 

Kaitea Galletes, Konawaena — Scored 15 points in a win over Waiakea 

Puaena Harrington, Waiakea — Scored 25 points in a loss to Konawaena 

Tavina Harris, Konawaena — Scored 18 points in a win over Waiakea 

Kiani Hoolulu, Kailua — Scored 19 points in a win over Kalani 

Haley Hosino, McKinley — Scored 15 points in a win over Kalaheo 

Keanu Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 33 points in a win over Hilo 

Ruby Kofron, Seabury Hall — Scored 15 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Marley Kokubun, Seabury Hall — Scored 23 points in a win over Maui Prep 

Baeleigh Lukzen, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 15 points in a win over Hilo 

Alexus Maae, Kaiser — Scored 18 points in a win over Kaimuki 

Olivia Malafu, Kapaa — Scored 32 points in a win over Waimea and scored 21 points in a win over Kauai 

Hailey Mata, Waimea — Scored 21 points in a win over Kauai 

Dynasty Maunakea, Leilehua — Scored 16 points in a loss to Mililani 

Brielle Nueku, Damien — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha II 

Leila Paraoan, Kapolei — Scored 16 points in a win over Waipahu 

Taira Samiano, Kapaa — Scored 25 points in a win over Kauai 

Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell — Scored 16 points in a loss to Southridge 

Jirah Villanueva, Radford — Scored 17 points in a win over Mililani 

Shania Wilson, Mililani — Scored 15 points in a win over Leilehua and scored 20 points in a loss to Radford 

GIRLS SOCCER

Kaia Borje-Peeples, Aiea — Scored three goals in a win over Radford 

Jaslene Cayetano, Mililani — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Waipahu 

Carly Cormack, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

Chiara Doyle, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley 

Ryah Echavaria, Moanalua — Scored three goals in a win over Kailua 

Atianna Tauiai Fuamatu-Maafala, Mililani — Scored four goals in a win over Waianae 

Aliana Ganigan Hale, Campbell — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kapolei 

Deizha Lyn Jacinto, Waipahu — Scored four goals in a win over Nanakuli 

Anela Leslie, Aiea — Scored three goals in a win over Waialua 

Alexyz Nakamoto, Leilehua — Scored three goals in a win over Waianae 

Kaiulani Nishigaya, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington and scored three goals in a win over McKinley 

Kerys Palmer, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Emma-Rose Parker, Kaiser — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kahuku 

Mya Pasion, Kamehameha — Scored two goals in a win over Punahou II 

Rhacelyn Respicio, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored three goals in a win over Honokaa

Miyah Sister, Campbell — Scored three goals in a win over Radford 

Aubrey Sutherland, Roosevelt — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kailua 

Danna Valderrama Lozano, Kaimuki — Scored three goals in a win over McKinley 

Ionare Vee, Kamehameha — Scored three goals in a win over PAC-5