Just a few years ago Logan Mason was a relative newcomer to the sport of basketball. Fast forward to present day and the 6-foot-7 senior is one of the key reasons for the air of optimism surrounding the Mid-Pacific boys basketball team this winter. 

Mason, a fourth-year player and third-year starter for the Owls, has grown by leaps and bounds over the course of his time in the program, his coach explained. 

"He really only started focusing on basketball as a freshman," Mid-Pacific coach Robert Muroda-Shklov said. 

Mason was one of just two freshmen for the Owls that season, but among the tallest on the roster. 

"My freshman year was my first year really playing basketball," said Mason, who stood 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds. "I was pretty big and obviously more of a big man down low," he added. 

It was after that freshman season that Mason hit a growth spurt. His game subsequently began to develop from that a true post player to more varied skillset. 

"Sophomore year I lost some weight so I was developing my jumper and some of those skills and junior year I really took a leap, began shooting 3s, driving from the perimeter and senior year I'm putting it together more, handling the ball more, on defense guarding guards and overall just putting it all together," Mason described. 

Muroda-Shklov has seen Mason work diligently to expand his repertoire over the years. 

"It's funny because you can see his instincts as a back-to-the-basket post guy. He still has that up-and-under move, that baby hook, he works to get offensive rebounds. The exciting part is the last two years he's worked hard on his perimeter game: going off the dribble, pulling up for shots, hitting knockdown stepback 3s and he comes down the middle and throws it down. He's had a bunch of big dunks this year, so he's really trying to finish as strong as he can at the basket," Muroda-Shklov said. 

In indication of Mason's versatility is reflected on the Owls' roster, where he is listed as guard/wing/forward. 

"You can see this year how excited he is to show his perimeter skills, plus he's an eighty-plus percent free throw shooter so you can't hack him. He's definitely as good of a three-level scorer as I've had in my coaching tenure here," Muroda-Shklov said. 

Mason went from averaging 5.8 points per game as a sophomore to a team-leading 13.7 average in his junior season, including 12.3 points per game against ILH competition. This preseason Mason is averaging 17.6 points per game and has eclipsed the 20-point mark eight times, including a career-high 31 points in a loss to Vista (Calif.) Friday, one of four games Mid-Pacific played in the San Diego area last week. 

The Owls went 2-2 and finished in sixth place in the Governor's Division of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic. Mason sandwiched a couple of 23-point games around his 31-point effort in wins over Oakwood (Calif.) and Bishop Manogue (Nev.). He averaged 21 points and 8.5 rebounds for the tournament. 

"The thing that stuck out to me was the fact that a bunch of them were assisted baskets. I've been telling Logan he's got to be better off the ball and his teammates, especially the starting group, they've really been locking for Logan so his shooting percentages were unreal — he went nine for 10 (on field goals) and 10 for 11 in back-to-back games and that's because his teammates are doing a great job finding him and he's cutting hard and getting open so our assist numbers are really good," Muroda-Shklov detailed. 

It's not just on the offensive end that Mason has led the way. Muroda-Shklov explained that Mason regularly seeks out the opportunity to defend the opposing team's top offensive threat. 

"In the summer he would pull off whoever was guarding the other team's best player, whether it was a guard, a forward, a slow guy, a quick guy, or a shooter," Muroda-Shklov said. "Whoever he thought was the most important player, he took that to heart and he's continued to do that. In this tournament it's hard to scout teams when we're up here, but he's so good at identifying that ‘this is their guy, leave him for me,' and that's sort of been his mentality on defense and I'm really proud of him for that."

Mason recorded at least one block in all four games and totaled seven blocks, He turned back three shots in Thursday's opening-round win over Oakwood. Mason shared that he takes great pride in serving as the team's shutdown defender. 

"I say that defense translates to offense, so getting stops on defense, blocking shots, making the other team's best player maybe miss a shoot and that just hypes everyone up and can change the momentum of the game and can make everyone play better," said Mason, who, over the course of the tournament, also came up with a pair of steals, dished out five assists, shot 17 of 20 from the free-throw line and hit three 3-pointers.

Muroda-Shklov said that not only has the game experience against quality competition served his team well, but the camaraderie built off the court has been just as important. 

"The team has been starting to come together and they're very unselfish and they play super hard. Even though we do have Logan, we're a little bit undersized, so I think they've come together a lot more on this trip and they're trying really hard to give each other the credit when someone does something well. Good things have happened when they've worked together," Muroda-Shklov said. 

The fifth-year coach put his team through the wringer in the preseason. The Owls took part in five tournaments and compiled a 13-7 record in the process, including a string of eight straight wins. All of it has been in preparation for what is expected to be another ultra-competitive season in the ILH Division I race. 

"Guys have gotten better this preseason and we're super excited leading up to the ILH because I definitely feel like we can do something; We're extremely hungry," said Mason, a team captain and one of eight seniors.

Mid-Pacific is one of six ILH teams in the statewide ScoringLive Power Rankings. The Owls are ranked eighth, behind No. 1 Saint Louis, No. 2 Maryknoll, No. 3 Punahou and No. 7 University Lab. They sit one spot ahead of No. 9 Iolani with the ILH scheduled to open up league play this weekend. 

The top three teams from the private school league will quality for the Heide & Cook/HHSAA Division I State Championships. Mid-Pacific has made four state tournament appearances all-time, the last coming in 1982. 

"The ILH, as everyone knows, is just an unreal gauntlet. It's a challenge and I told these guys to embrace and love and feel that competition. We're not a traditional power, we're not a blue blood school and with all due respect to the other ILH teams, we have to work a little bit harder. We don't have that history behind us, we have to create it, but I know this group can compete with anybody and I'm positive of that," Muroda-Shklov said. 

Mason and the Owls begin their ILH slate against Punahou Saturday. Tipoff at Mills Gymnasium is scheduled for 4 p.m. 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mystique Akina-Watson, Kahuku — Scored 24 points in a loss to Kailua 

Daeten Castillo, Kau — Scored 31 points in a loss to Honokaa 

Darius Chizer, Mid-Pacific — Scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, with six assists and three rebounds in a win over Bishop Manogue 

Kobe Compoc-Bruhn, Castle — Scored 10 points with 15 rebounds, one steal and a block in a win over Farrington 

Bromo Dorn, Seabury Hall — Scored 35 points with four rebounds, four steals, three blocks and an assist in a win over Hilo and scored 22 points with seven rebounds and two blocks in a loss to Iolani 

Vander Eberhard, Hawaii Prep — Scored 22 points in a win over Damien and scored 19 points in a loss to Gig Harbor and scored 26 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Cody Gardanier, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored 29 points in a loss to Ayala 

Kawohi Huihui, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 38 points in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Noah Park, Aiea — Scored 27 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win over Waianae 

Everest Rodriguez, Farrington — Scored 28 points, including eight 3-pointers, in a loss to Castle 

Tanoa Scanlan, Punahou — Scored 22 points in a win over Molokai and scored 23 points in a win over Gonzaga Prep 

Kukia Tagabi, Honokaa — Scored 21 points in a win over Kau 

Nehemiah Thompson, Nanakuli — Scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Waialua 

Tui Tukimaka, Mililani — Scored 21 points in a win over Radford 

Tyree Wilson, Leilehua — Scored 10 points with 10 rebounds, two steals and one assist in a win over Mililani 

Richard Windsor, Campbell — Scored 23 points in a win over Waipahu 

BOYS SOCCER

Brent Bersabal, Farrington — Scored three goals in a win over Kaimuki 

Connor Costa, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a loss to Aiea 

Isaac Davies, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington 

Justin Katayama, Castle — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kaiser 

Toranosuke Kikuchi, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Moanalua 

Matthew Lamborn, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Larry McCarley, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae and scored three goals in a win over Leilehua 

Tyson Nakashima, Mililani — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Brody Person, Kailua — Scored four goals and assisted on two others in a win over McKinley and scored three goals in a win over Kalaheo 

Caleb Pollard, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua and scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Benjamin Richard, Radford — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua 

Sye Sandobal, Aiea — Scored five goals in a win over Waipahu 

Tayte Sato, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Farrington 

Tyler Tamashiro, Mililani — Scored a goal and assisted on three others in a win over Waialua and scored the lone goal in a win over Campbell 

Joaquin Tavares, Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Lahainaluna 

Brennyn Yoshida, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae and scored four goals in a win over Leilehua 

Uilani Shimabukuro is doing her best to compensate for lost time. 

After an injury-riddled junior season that largely limited her playing time a year ago, Shimabukuro is making the most of her senior campaign for the Castle girls' soccer team. 

The 5-foot-7 Shimabukuro, a four-year starter for the Knights, ranks among the statewide leaders in scoring with 12 goals on the year. The forward has scored in six of her team's seven games in OIA East play, including a trio of hat tricks. 

"She actually can play wherever we need her," Castle coach Travis MacDonald said of Shimabukuro, who also has a pair of assists to her name this winter. 

MacDonald describes Shimabukuro, one of three senior captains for the Knights, as the total package and made note of her nurturing nature despite her position of leadership. 

"She's a team player and she helps everyone else around her be better and her being on the field, she's able to communicate that and lead by example. If we need her to play defense, she will play defense. She's the first one to step up and she tries to put the team first and create opportunities for her teammates to shine also," MacDonald said. 

While Shimabukuro's technical skills have always been stellar, MacDonald reiterated that her true value to the squad goes far beyond her work on the pitch. 

"She goes out of her way to help mentor the younger players. She's approachable, supportive and she's always willing to help them grow and I think her dedication to the team is the driving force for our success and she just has that natural instinct for the game and to find the back of the net," MacDonald said. 

Shimabukuro's instincts have served her and the Knights well. She has helped them outscore their opponents by a 24-to-4 margin, including five shutout victories. With a little more than a week left in the regular season, Castle (5-1-1) is tied for second place in the OIA East standings. 

"Yeah, she's been getting the goals this year, but she's very versatile and well-rounded and she contributes in every aspect of the game. She's one of our hardest workers so that makes her teammates push themselves to get better and work harder and I think that just elevated the whole team from that aspect; She sets the tone," MacDonald said. 

Shimabukuro has scored more than once in four games this season. After she opened league play with an assist in a win over Kahuku, Shimabukuro followed that up with a two-goal effort in a victory over Kailua. The next week she tallied back-to-back three-goal games in wins over Farrington and Kalani. 

"Her technical skills are top notch, she plays with high energy, has a great, hard-working attitude and again, she leads by example. Not only does she tell her teammates what needs to be done, she goes out and she does it and that's in practice, games — whatever is needed of her, whatever the team needs, she's the one that we trust and can lean on when we need that," MacDonald said. 

It was more of the same from Shimabukuro last Thursday in a one-sided win over Roosevelt. She netted three of her team's seven goals in the shutout of the Rough Riders at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium. 

Shimabukuro's first goal was set up by a Brianne Kumashiro corner kick. 

"She finished it with a nice left-footed volley," MacDonald recalled. "Her second goal was a long-range shot from distance, 35 yards or so."

Taja Kaaihue-Tollefson assisted on Shimabukuro's third goal with a well-placed through-ball that led to a breakaway score. 

Just about 48 hours later, Castle took to the road again for a high-stakes matchup against unbeaten Kaiser, the No. 5 team in the ScoringLive Power Rankings at the time. 

Shimabukuro broke the ice early against the Cougars with a second-minute goal for the Knights, who were playing the first half with a steady 25-mile per hour wind at their backs. 

"She actually shot the kickoff (on goal) to start the game and with that wind it one-bounced right at the ‘keeper," MacDonald described. "Her second touch of the game was the free kick from 40 yards out that she put away in the second minute. She's one of the few players that I've seen that can hit it from the 50."

It was Kaaihue-Tollefson who drew the Kaiser foul that led to the restart. 

"Taja made a run, got fouled and Ui was able to step up and bury that free kick," MacDonald added. 

When Shimabukuro was sidelined for much of last season, it was Kaaihue-Tollefson who did much of the scoring. She recorded a team-high 10 goals on the year and picked up All-OIA East First Team honors. With Shimabukuro fully recovered from her ailments, she and Kaaihue-Tollefson make up quite the formidable duo up top for the Knights. 

"When both of them are clicking and playing off each other, we have a very potent attack. They both kind of feed off each other's energy and lead that front line for us and they just know how to react to what each other's thinking. Taja has been busted up and injured this year, but she's getting back into it and she's been setting up Ui for a lot of Ui's goals; She's been the one making the right pass, the right play so for both of them, if it's not their night, they try to set up the other or the other players," MacDonald said. 

Shimabukuro has accounted for 25 goals in her varsity career. She ranked third on the team as a freshman and received All-OIA East Honorable Mention that season. As a sophomore she was an all-league second team selection. Shimabukuro ranked second on the team with eight goals scored. 

As a junior Shimabukuro dealt with a lower leg injury and another to her back. 

"And then she got sick," MacDonald noted, "so I believe she only played like two preseason games and two regular season games. It was just super unlucky."

MacDonald said that Shimabukuro was able to gain a different perspective from the sideline while healing up a year ago. Ultimately, it motivated her to work her way back to the pitch. 

"I think that played a part, for sure. She definitely wanted to score and help out a lot more than last year, so maybe she came in this season — especially with it being her senior year — a lot more hungry to make her last season the best. It wasn't her fault, of course, but having to watch last year just made her want to be out there playing with her teammates," MacDonald expressed. 

One thing the Knights have not done in Shimabukuro's time on the team is win an OIA tournament game. Castle saw its 2022 season end with a loss in the opening round of the 12-team bracket. The next two years it did well enough to finish second in the final OIA East standings and received a first-round bye both times. 

However, the Knights went two-and-out on both occasions. MacDonald's squad is looking to change the narrative this winter with a healthy Shimabukuro leading the way. 

"The biggest difference has been that last year she was hurt, so I tell the girls that the best ability is availability and this year she's been able to stay on the field and with her technical ability, her soccer IQ and her tactical knowledge of the game, everything is slowing down and that comes with being a senior. She's taking on more responsibility as far as getting the team going and just step-in up all around to be a leader and help our team," MacDonald said. 

Shimabukuro and the Knights next play Saturday night, when they host McKinley (0-6)at 7 o'clock. They close out the regular season next Wednesday at home against Kalaheo (5-2). 

GIRLS SOCCER 

Janeane Fonoimoana, Kahuku — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo 

Lexie Gomes, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Kaihilei Hoke, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua 

Tata Kaaihue-Tollefson, Castle — Scored two goals and assisted on another in a win over Roosevelt 

Kamalei Leong, Kailua — Scored four goals in a win over McKinley 

Kyla Lum, Mililani — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua 

Haylee Manoa, Kalaheo — Scored two goals in a win over Kailua 

Kulia Montgomery, Kamehameha — Scored the lone goal in a win over Punahou 

Kyla Okamoto, Mililani — Scored a goal and assisted on another in a win over Campbell 

Harley Ota, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Aiea 

Zoey Pantorilla, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waianae 

Emma-Rose Parker, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington 

Alexis Roukema, Kaiser — Scored two goals in a win over Farrington 

Ceydie Whitfield, Waipahu — Scored three goals in a win over Aiea 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Katelyn Constantino, Waimea — Scored 24 points in a win over Island School 

Kacie Febo-Santiago, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 28 points, including seven 3-pointers, in a win over Hilo 

Hiialo Kala-Reantaso, Kapolei — Scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win over Aiea 

Makana Kamakeeaina, Kahuku — Scored 18 points in a win over McKinley 

Brooke Kurasaki, Mililani — Scored 18 points in a win over Leilehua 

Kiilei Leleiwi, Konawaena — Scored 17 points in a win over Honokaa 

Zennalenn Nelson, Mililani — Scored 19 points in a win over Leilehua 

Makelah Richardson, Roosevelt — Scored 37 points in a win over Kaimuki 

Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell — Scored 22 points in a win over Waianae 

Tuisila Wily-Ava, Kahuku — Scored 19 points in a win over McKinley 

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