Monday, September 3, 2007

Torres looking for the perfect beat

This is what he's gotta do ...

Star-Bulletin: OIA Red East football preview

Back in the 1980s, Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force had a declaration for the world. Mister mastermind of the funkiest kind said that he was looking for the perfect beat. This is what you gotta do.

This is what every coach, technician, coordinator, supervisor, et al does for a living. He or she looks for the perfect combination of talent, the chemistry that makes the whole thing percolate and succeed over the long haul. Nobody needs a rocket ship that launches brilliantly and goes ker-plunk 10 seconds later.

That's what Reggie Torres and his staff do. They're evaluating 96 players to find their roles. In Utah tonight, they'll study the 56 who made the travel squad. Kahuku will play for the win against Utah state champ Bingham, but not at the sacrifice of evaluation. And certainly not at the sacrifice of academics.

Some fans may feel sour because Torres won't bend academic requirements, because several players stayed home due to poor grades. But after coaching judo, wrestling and football for 20 years, why would anyone in his right mind expect Coach Torres to place winning at the altar ahead of integrity?

Before they play a down against a tough Bingham squad, the Red Raiders have already secured a victory. We won't see the fruits of this action right away, but they can be assured that they have a coaching staff that stands by them as men, not just as coaches. That's why coaching in Hawaii, despite its lousy pay, is a priceless opportunity to truly serve. It is, in many ways, the greatest civilian sacrifice for the youth of our communities.

My hat is off to the Kahuku program. Again.

Kamehameha is the volleyball Goliath

Kamehameha is a marked team and they know it.

Star-Bulletin: ILH and OIA girls volleyball previews

I was behind the 8 ball. Normally, by now I've seen a lot of volleyball matches, from the Ann Kang Invitational to the Longy Okimoto to the Kamehameha-Punahou tourney. This year was different. The focus was on football, football photos and previews, and of course, games. I saw one volleyball match in preseason: Kamehameha's title win in the Ann Kang.

Fortunately, there are very good, very generous coaches in our state who are more than happy to share their thoughts and insights. Volleyball coaches are a special breed in Hawaii. Many of them coach year-round and get to know players from many schools since the players congregate to play for clubs. There's no denigration. There's utmost respect no matter where the players go to school. That's what working together at the club level will do. There's a bond.

It's not unique to volleyball. Softball and soccer are rich with relationships that cover the island, across school boundaries. There's a load of value in competition, sometimes too much, but it also brings cohesion across those lines.

For now, though, Kamehameha is the top team in the state, and the upcoming Star-Bulletin Girls Volleyball Top 10 poll will likely reflect this. I hope fans can get out to Kekuhaupio Gym and enjoy something that comes along only once in a while: a true sports dynasty in Hawaii.

And people wonder why I love girls basketball...

Football was, still is, my first love. But that doesn't mean there aren't some things about it that suck.

Star-Bulletin: Aiea, Campbell to forfeit game

Yes, I mean suck. When you think about it, all the hours and sacrifice (family time, rest, etc.) that coaches give to our football programs statewide is remarkable. In Texas, there are some schools that pay their coaches major salaries — six figures — simply for coaching. That's what weekly crowds in excess of 10,000, even 20,000 can do.

But here, coaches do it for the love. They average a few pennies for each hour of their labor. Labor of love.

And how do they get paid in the currency of football? Their players go off near the end of a game and commit flagrant acts against the other team. They incite a near-riot. They bring shame and ridicule to their schools, their communities. All in a matter of seconds.

The coaches don't teach this. And it's not entire teams that go bonkers. It just takes a few rotten apples.

That's the emotional reaction by a football fan, some who played sports, officiated sports and coached kids. And that's where things get more interesting. These are teenagers, raging with hormones and trying to keep some semblance of balance in their busy lives. I remember those days. Getting up at 7 a.m. wasn't easy. Not having any spending money wasn't fun. Keeping up with schoolwork wasn't simple. But it was a great time because of the coaches and administrators at my school (Kaimuki) who did their best for us whether it was school or fundraising or anything else.

I think back to Pat Foster, who came up with money so those of us who were short on money could travel to the Far East for a basketball trip. He passed away long ago, long before I knew what he had done for someone like me. I never got to thank the man. I wish I could right now. I'd give the big man a big hug and just say, "Thank you, coach."

When Charlie Miyashiro passed away last year, I was stunned. I had seen him a few months before he passed. He was at a flag football game, watching his grandson play. I thanked him, and he smiled. He was one of the most joyful coaches and athletic directors I've ever met. The guy loved coaching so much, he used to coach at Kaimuki and Pac-Five at one time.

But when I see players get out of line and carry on, it almost breaks my heart. I know they'll regret it later. I know they'll recognize that one foolish moment of reaction wasn't worth the price. As Coach Wendell Say told me, it's a lesson worth learning in the long run. Kids have to find out at some point that an extreme emotional reaction is NOT what is best, regardless of the situation and cause.

That's the only silver lining out of this situation. It's a painful lesson, a public lesson, but one that can be heartfelt and never forgotten for every player at Aiea, Campbell, the OIA, and the rest of the state. And as Coach Say said, better that this happened early in the season than late.

I love football, but trust me, sportsmanship prevails best in girls athletics. It's not perfect there, either, but the players have a lot more maturity and self-control on the whole. I can live without another testosterone-laden incident as long as I live.

The best way to say "thank you" to your coaches is to play the way they taught you. They put their heart and soul into teaching you about the game, about life. So thank them now, while you still can, and thank them in every way on and off the field.

Star-Bulletin Top 10, Aug. 27

Kapolei arrives in the poll for the first time this season.

Star-Bulletin Football Top 10

No surprises in the poll. Just a bit of juggling around. Kapolei's entrance into the Top 10 is notable, though. The Hurricanes have their best defensive unit in history if they continue to play this well. Kapolei has allowed just three points in two games, and Coach Darren Hernandez isn't surprised. Before the season, he touted so many defensive players that I was stunned.

He's not going to overpromise, never did. But as he rolled off the names and numbers for his defensive studs, I was amazed. I told him he has the kind of size and speed out there that fits a JC unit, not a high school.

He's right so far. We'll see how if Kapolei's 'D' will be good ... or great.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Humility for life

Football is temporary in an athlete's life. Humility is forever.

In a sports culture that spends more time, money and attention on awards and rewards rather than the basic fundamentals - academics and sportsmanship - I give kudos to Reggie Torres.

Kahuku's football and wrestling coach asks a little more of his student-athletes because he thinks ahead. He knows that current standards don't promote preparation for college. He's a teacher first, and he wants his student-athletes to be prepared for higher expectations. College. He works with the kids and their parents, and no matter what, it's still on the student-athletes to stand up for themselves and study hard. Making a 2.0 GPA without an F ... that's a reasonable, fair expectation.

Most of us know that Coach Torres has a strong background in wrestling and judo. He is big on humility and sportsmanship, which is why he once told me he prefers the basic Kahuku slogans with the T-shirt designs rather than the ones that put weight on a territorial, us-against-the-world mentality. The latter is good marketing. The former is down to earth.

During Coach Siuaki Livai's time, a lot of slogans rose up to make money on T-shirts. But I can see Coach Torres' points and why he likes to keep things simple and grounded. There's room for both mentalities. I prefer Coach Torres' approach, of course. Humility is timeless.

Regardless of school and community, humility doesn't cheer when an opposing player is cleaned out before catching a punt. Humility doesn't laugh when an opposing player gets hurt. Humility brushes off negativity and taunting. Humility ignores that stuff and hustles back to the huddle.

Problems will happen. Fortunately, we have a lot of excellent coaches in the OIA and ILH who correct them when they arise.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Pupule's Top 20 (Aug 26)

Here's how I plan to vote today. Subject to change by the 3 p.m. deadline.

1. Saint Louis 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Kailua 48-7
This week: at Aiea, Friday
Room for improvement? Of course. That would be scary, indeed.

2. Punahou 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Leilehua, Saturday
A bye week works in Punahou's favor, with so much competition for playing time. Intriguing matchup between Punahou's offense and Leilehua's defense.

3. Kahuku 0-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Bingham (Utah), Friday
Huge week for the Red Raiders. Bingham is a defending state champion. Kahuku is a defending state champion. Winning in Utah isn't easy. Ever.

4. Baldwin 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Kamehameha-Hawaii 29-0
This week: vs. San Clemente (Calif.), Thursday
Key starters sat out the KS-Hawaii game and the Bears still won handily.

5. Waianae 2-0-0 (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Mililani 13-9
This week: vs. Iolani, Friday
Game with Mililani was terrific. Waianae's offense still working out the kinks, as expected, but the defense was spectacular in the second half.

6. Kamehameha 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Castle 21-12
This week: vs. Campbell, Saturday
Big road win in Coach David Stant's debut. Remember, Castle led Saint Louis before losing 17-13 last year.

7. Mililani 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost at Waianae 13-9
This week: vs. Pac-Five, Saturday
Offense moved the chains well in the first half, but didn't overcome Waianae's tactical moves. Next step in Trojan evolution: either insert a punishing big back (when defenses go small as Waianae did) or move Dalaunte "Taz" Stevenson back to RB.

8. Kapolei 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. McKinley 42-27
This week: bye
Hurricanes have a lot of balance, size and speed on defense. Big question marks at RB and WR.

9. Kalaheo 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Iolani 28-25
This week: vs. Moanalua, Saturday
The Mustangs confirmed their status with a big win at Iolani. For me, the Iolani matchup was a clear turning point for the program under Coach Chris Mellor. Winning at Nanakuli the week before was good, but now the Mustangs know they belong with ranked teams.

10. Lahainaluna 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Waiakea 48-0
This week: vs. Bonita Vista (Calif.), Friday
Lunas move on to this week's big tussle — the only home game for the team left this season.

More?

11. Leilehua 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Radford 41-0
This week: vs. Punahou, Friday
Mule defense has allowed just three points in two games. Major test coming soon.

12. Aiea 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: vs. Campbell, suspension pending
This week: vs. Saint Louis, Friday
Na Alii won the game with Campbell 33-26, but a post-game fracas has the result in limbo.

13. Farrington 0-1-1 (0-1-0)
Last week: tied Damien 14-all, Kunuiakea Stadium
This week: at Kailua, Friday
Very little time for the Governors to rest after a loss on the road at Waianae. These are excellent testing grounds for a team that has potential. Damien will be just as ornery after a road loss to Kapolei.

14. Damien 0-1-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: tied Farrington 14-all, Kunuiakea Stadium
Monarchs haven't won yet, but have competed well with higher-ranked teams (Kapolei and Farrington).

15. Iolani 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost to Kalaheo 28-25
This week: at Waianae, Friday
Raiders have some work to do, and though veteran coach Wendell Look won't use youth as an excuse, the team looked young in the loss to Kalaheo. The good news is that they'll learn quickly if program history is any indication.

16. Kauai 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Hilo 40-0
Red Raiders have outscored opponents 75-6.

17. Kealakehe 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Honokaa, Saturday
Only one nonconference game for the Waveriders, and now the BIIF season starts. Frankly, Kealakehe could have a great team and never be tested until states. BIIF is a solid D-II league in reality.

18. Castle 0-2-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost to Kamehameha 21-12
This week: vs. McKinley, Roosevelt Stadium, Saturday
Knights bounce back with a proud effort at home. No surprise there.

19. Moanalua 1-0-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Pac-Five 28-7
This week: vs. Kalaheo, Kailua Stadium, Saturday
Na Menehune are rising to the challenge even without Jordan Monico.

20. Pearl City 1-0-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Nanakuli 35-14
This week: vs. Kaimuki, Friday
Chargers rely on Antoin DeWalt. Heavily.

21. Waimea 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Konawaena 13-0
This week: vs. Ft. McMurray (Canada), Saturday
Another game at the old Hanapepe Ballpark.

Polls: The equivalent of whipped cream. Enjoy, but don't substitute for real food.

Football: OIA White preview

There's a whole lot to talk about in the White Conference, and the return of Darren Johnson is a good place to start.

Star-Bulletin: Johnson resurfaces at Kaimuki, has shot in wide-open race

The preview is long, which is my way of saying that my bosses were kind enough to run all of my nearly endless writing.

One of the reasons why I feel an affinity for D-II football is that I spent eight years covering sports on the Big Island, where most schools are smaller and community spirit is stronger. I never tire of D-II sports because the competition is usually great. New schools like Anuenue can compete with old schools like Kaimuki, pitting teams from Palolo and Kapahulu in sport.

Check out the preview, then let me know who I missed. There's a lot of raw talent in the White Conference, and even with the length my bosses accorded me for the preview, I can't mention every standout player out there. I try, but it's nice to get your input when I miss.