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.
Showing posts with label Kamehameha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kamehameha. Show all posts
Monday, September 3, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Pupule's Top 20
Time for some shuffling. Here's how I voted in today's Star-Bulletin Football Top 10.
1. Saint Louis (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kahuku 21-6
This week: at Kailua
Crusaders have some work to do, but what they've already done supercedes all opposition. They had the physical power to contain Kahuku's lethal ground attack. They were superior on special teams, which is never surprising. The offense will come around, and when it does, Saint Louis will be explosive. Mamiya's return is the biggest plus of all, and when he regains his accuracy, this group of receivers will show how good it can be.
2. Punahou (1-0-0)
Last week: def. McKinley 56-18
This week: bye
Buffanblu have a lot of strengths at the skill positions and an experienced defensive unit. Sloppy tackling, however, will be a focal point after the unit gave up two long touchdown passes to McKinley.
3. Kahuku (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Saint Louis 21-6
This week: bye
Red Raiders have great potential, but as Reggie Torres says, they need time. Jray Galeai is getting more comfortable with the offense. Strong arm, great wheels, only a junior. Kahuku defense stood strong despite poor field position for much of the second half against Saint Louis.
4. Baldwin (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Kamehameha-Hawaii, Friday
Bears slide one spot in my ballot only because Punahou executed so well on Saturday against McKinley. Perhaps the most explosive passing attack in the state. The O-line is relatively young and will be tested this weekend.
5. Mililani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Castle 43-6
This week: bye
Trojans are always tough at home and proved it with a rout of Castle. The Darnell Arceneaux era is off to a bullish start.
6. Waianae (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Farrington 21-7
This week: bye
I can hardly wait for the Mililani-Waianae showdown.
7. Kamehameha (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Castle
Almost unfair to gauge a team that hasn't played yet. If the Warriors win, but don't blow out Castle — a proud program that returns home this week — voters will give Mililani more votes. That's not fair since emotion is a huge part of prep football. Castle will likely respond well to last weekend's loss at Mililani, and it usually plays well at home. Castle led Saint Louis before losing last season 17-13.
8. Aiea (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaimuki 21-7
This week: bye
Na Alii beat a solid Kaimuki squad, and yet Iolani zoomed into the Star-Bulletin Top 10 and landed above Aiea. Never underestimate the power of a good returning quarterback (Keenan Naeole).
9. Iolani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaiser 44-0
This week: vs. Kalaheo, Saturday
Raiders rolled big over alumni and Kaiser coach Pat Samsonas at the Father Bray Classic. Big test for the ILH's defending D-II champion this weekend. Kalaheo is coming off a 43-0 win at Nanakuli. Afternoon football at Iolani hasn't been kind to OIA teams recently, though.
10. Lahainaluna (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Waiakea, Saturday
Often underrated, the Lunas are West Maui's favorite sons this time of year. Physical, disciplined and tricky with that Wing T offense.
More?
11. Leilehua (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Kailua 6-3
This week: bye
The Mules' offensive success in recent years may not prepare fans for baseball scores, but this is going to be more of the norm. Leilehua has led the OIA Red West in total defense the past two seasons and the trend continues. Can't fight the trend.
12. Farrington (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Waianae 21-7
This week: vs. Damien, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
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.
13. Kapolei (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Damien 14-0
This week: vs. McKinley, Roosevelt Stadium, Saturday
Hurricanes are on a mission. So much talent has departed in recent years, but they keep reloading. Damien provided basic run-first football. McKinley will be more familiar — a run-and-shoot/flex option offense with big-play potential.
14. Pac-Five (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Radford 21-12
This week: at Moanalua, Saturday
Every year, the Wolf Pack holds its own against OIA teams, then faces a mountain in the ILH. So far, so good.
15. Kealakehe (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Scotts Valley (Calif.) 23-21
This week: bye
Good news: Waveriders won their opener under a new coach. Bad news: Offense scored only one touchdown.
16. Kauai (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Keaau 35-6
This week: at Hilo, Friday
Keaau is D-I in name, but hasn't been a strong program since the school opened nearly 10 years ago. Hilo will provide much better competition for the Red Raiders. Classic matchup of opposites. Kauai's run-and-shoot versus Hilo's rugged defense. Hilo veteran Albert Kawalu against first-year Kauai coach Derek Borrero.
17. Kamehameha-Hawaii (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Baldwin, Friday
This team is 17th when Kolten Wong is on the field. He's been busy with baseball, you may have heard.
18. Kailua (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Leilehua 6-3
This week: vs. Saint Louis, Friday
A lot of raised expectations on the Windward side for the Surfriders and gentleman coach Gary Rosolowich.
19. Damien (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Kapolei 14-0
This week: vs. Farrington, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
Monarchs want to make a statement against neighborhood rival Farrington.
20. Kalaheo (1-0-0)
Last week: won at Nanakuli 44-0
This week: at Iolani, Saturday
Biggest game for Kalaheo in recent memory is a few days away. Senior quarterback Cody vonAppen is a key, steadying factor for Coach Mellor's squad.
1. Saint Louis (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kahuku 21-6
This week: at Kailua
Crusaders have some work to do, but what they've already done supercedes all opposition. They had the physical power to contain Kahuku's lethal ground attack. They were superior on special teams, which is never surprising. The offense will come around, and when it does, Saint Louis will be explosive. Mamiya's return is the biggest plus of all, and when he regains his accuracy, this group of receivers will show how good it can be.
2. Punahou (1-0-0)
Last week: def. McKinley 56-18
This week: bye
Buffanblu have a lot of strengths at the skill positions and an experienced defensive unit. Sloppy tackling, however, will be a focal point after the unit gave up two long touchdown passes to McKinley.
3. Kahuku (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Saint Louis 21-6
This week: bye
Red Raiders have great potential, but as Reggie Torres says, they need time. Jray Galeai is getting more comfortable with the offense. Strong arm, great wheels, only a junior. Kahuku defense stood strong despite poor field position for much of the second half against Saint Louis.
4. Baldwin (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Kamehameha-Hawaii, Friday
Bears slide one spot in my ballot only because Punahou executed so well on Saturday against McKinley. Perhaps the most explosive passing attack in the state. The O-line is relatively young and will be tested this weekend.
5. Mililani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Castle 43-6
This week: bye
Trojans are always tough at home and proved it with a rout of Castle. The Darnell Arceneaux era is off to a bullish start.
6. Waianae (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Farrington 21-7
This week: bye
I can hardly wait for the Mililani-Waianae showdown.
7. Kamehameha (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Castle
Almost unfair to gauge a team that hasn't played yet. If the Warriors win, but don't blow out Castle — a proud program that returns home this week — voters will give Mililani more votes. That's not fair since emotion is a huge part of prep football. Castle will likely respond well to last weekend's loss at Mililani, and it usually plays well at home. Castle led Saint Louis before losing last season 17-13.
8. Aiea (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaimuki 21-7
This week: bye
Na Alii beat a solid Kaimuki squad, and yet Iolani zoomed into the Star-Bulletin Top 10 and landed above Aiea. Never underestimate the power of a good returning quarterback (Keenan Naeole).
9. Iolani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaiser 44-0
This week: vs. Kalaheo, Saturday
Raiders rolled big over alumni and Kaiser coach Pat Samsonas at the Father Bray Classic. Big test for the ILH's defending D-II champion this weekend. Kalaheo is coming off a 43-0 win at Nanakuli. Afternoon football at Iolani hasn't been kind to OIA teams recently, though.
10. Lahainaluna (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Waiakea, Saturday
Often underrated, the Lunas are West Maui's favorite sons this time of year. Physical, disciplined and tricky with that Wing T offense.
More?
11. Leilehua (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Kailua 6-3
This week: bye
The Mules' offensive success in recent years may not prepare fans for baseball scores, but this is going to be more of the norm. Leilehua has led the OIA Red West in total defense the past two seasons and the trend continues. Can't fight the trend.
12. Farrington (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Waianae 21-7
This week: vs. Damien, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
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.
13. Kapolei (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Damien 14-0
This week: vs. McKinley, Roosevelt Stadium, Saturday
Hurricanes are on a mission. So much talent has departed in recent years, but they keep reloading. Damien provided basic run-first football. McKinley will be more familiar — a run-and-shoot/flex option offense with big-play potential.
14. Pac-Five (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Radford 21-12
This week: at Moanalua, Saturday
Every year, the Wolf Pack holds its own against OIA teams, then faces a mountain in the ILH. So far, so good.
15. Kealakehe (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Scotts Valley (Calif.) 23-21
This week: bye
Good news: Waveriders won their opener under a new coach. Bad news: Offense scored only one touchdown.
16. Kauai (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Keaau 35-6
This week: at Hilo, Friday
Keaau is D-I in name, but hasn't been a strong program since the school opened nearly 10 years ago. Hilo will provide much better competition for the Red Raiders. Classic matchup of opposites. Kauai's run-and-shoot versus Hilo's rugged defense. Hilo veteran Albert Kawalu against first-year Kauai coach Derek Borrero.
17. Kamehameha-Hawaii (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Baldwin, Friday
This team is 17th when Kolten Wong is on the field. He's been busy with baseball, you may have heard.
18. Kailua (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Leilehua 6-3
This week: vs. Saint Louis, Friday
A lot of raised expectations on the Windward side for the Surfriders and gentleman coach Gary Rosolowich.
19. Damien (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Kapolei 14-0
This week: vs. Farrington, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
Monarchs want to make a statement against neighborhood rival Farrington.
20. Kalaheo (1-0-0)
Last week: won at Nanakuli 44-0
This week: at Iolani, Saturday
Biggest game for Kalaheo in recent memory is a few days away. Senior quarterback Cody vonAppen is a key, steadying factor for Coach Mellor's squad.
Saints march to No. 1
No surprise here.
Star-Bulletin: Top 10 poll
If you were at Aloha Stadium on Friday night (or read my story in the Star-Bulletin), you know that the Saint Louis-Kahuku game was a close one until the final quarter. Saint Louis, a bit rusty on offense, was up to the task on defense. The Crusaders limited Kahuku to 120 rushing yards en route to a 21-6 win.
Kahuku will work on its mistakes for the next 10 days before flying out to Utah to play Bingham. Saint Louis is back on the gridiron this weekend at Kailua. Get there early. Parking can and will fill up easily and quickly, leaving latecomers with street parking. If you don't mind the walk, you'll be fine.
Not surprsingly, Saint Louis ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10. While Kahuku received some votes as low as No. 5, the Red Raiders tallied enough support to fall only one spot to No. 2.
Kamehameha will finally make its debut under new coach David Stant this weekend. The Warriors go to Castle, a team that is smarting after a one-sided loss at Mililani. It's early and there are a ton of questions about teams up and down the Top 10, but for now, Saint Louis is a clearly, unanimously, the best in the state.
Star-Bulletin: Top 10 poll
If you were at Aloha Stadium on Friday night (or read my story in the Star-Bulletin), you know that the Saint Louis-Kahuku game was a close one until the final quarter. Saint Louis, a bit rusty on offense, was up to the task on defense. The Crusaders limited Kahuku to 120 rushing yards en route to a 21-6 win.
Kahuku will work on its mistakes for the next 10 days before flying out to Utah to play Bingham. Saint Louis is back on the gridiron this weekend at Kailua. Get there early. Parking can and will fill up easily and quickly, leaving latecomers with street parking. If you don't mind the walk, you'll be fine.
Not surprsingly, Saint Louis ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10. While Kahuku received some votes as low as No. 5, the Red Raiders tallied enough support to fall only one spot to No. 2.
Kamehameha will finally make its debut under new coach David Stant this weekend. The Warriors go to Castle, a team that is smarting after a one-sided loss at Mililani. It's early and there are a ton of questions about teams up and down the Top 10, but for now, Saint Louis is a clearly, unanimously, the best in the state.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Voters peg Kamehameha No. 3
There will be plenty of air time for the Kamehameha Warriors this season under new coach David Stant.
Star-Bulletin: Kamehameha off and running under new coach Stant
David Stant arrived at Kapalama Heights with some very clear ideas about what Kamehameha football will look like this fall.
One idea is in full motion: the Warriors will throw the ball. Then they'll throw it again. And again. Though Stant was a defensive lineman during his career at the University of Hawaii, he is truly a student of the game. His commitment to an airborne attack will be a change in philosophy on the hill, where Kanani Souza relied on a power ground game to keep the Warriors among the ILH's elite.
Souza brought in new formations after returning from a brief sabbatical to Oregon State, but the run-first approach didn't change. Stant is committed to balance, and that could translate to more pass attempts than rushes for the Warriors.
Time will tell if returning starter Michael Hoke is able to execute as well as Stant hopes.
Star-Bulletin: Kamehameha off and running under new coach Stant
David Stant arrived at Kapalama Heights with some very clear ideas about what Kamehameha football will look like this fall.
One idea is in full motion: the Warriors will throw the ball. Then they'll throw it again. And again. Though Stant was a defensive lineman during his career at the University of Hawaii, he is truly a student of the game. His commitment to an airborne attack will be a change in philosophy on the hill, where Kanani Souza relied on a power ground game to keep the Warriors among the ILH's elite.
Souza brought in new formations after returning from a brief sabbatical to Oregon State, but the run-first approach didn't change. Stant is committed to balance, and that could translate to more pass attempts than rushes for the Warriors.
Time will tell if returning starter Michael Hoke is able to execute as well as Stant hopes.
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