Kaimuki linebacker is Wyoming bound
On the Wyoming plains, there are few outsiders to be seen.
The Wyoming Cowboys can now claim a player from the Hawaiian Islands. Kaimuki linebacker/fullback Siaosi Hala‘api‘api has given the school an oral commitment to play football.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior was a standout for the Division II Bulldogs despite a midseason injury. He was voted to the all-state honorable-mention list.
Coach Clint Onigama noted that other schools — Weber State, Colorado, Oregon State, San Diego State, Montana and Hawaii — were also interested. Weber State offered a scholarship.
Hala‘api‘api scored five touchdowns on the ground and caught seven passes for Kaimuki, which reached the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference playoffs.
Chargers coach off into the sunset
Longtime Pearl City girls basketball coach Mike Morton is busy preparing his team for tonight’s playoff game at Kaimuki, but when the season’s over, he will be done coaching.
The Chargers (15-4 overall) are No. 10 in the Star-Advertiser Girls Basketball Top 10. They qualified for states Friday with a 50-45 win over Kahuku in the OIA playoffs.
"It’s just time. I want the time to spend with my kids," said Morton, who has been head coach for 11 years. "It’s a mixed bag, a lot of mixed emotions. I told my AD (Reid Shigemasa) and he said, ‘You say that every year.’ But it’s time."
Konawaena deals with mismatches
Top-ranked Konawaena’s back-to-back 100-point girls basketball wins earlier this month drew some criticism, but former Punahou coach Mike Taylor empathized with the Wildcats.
"It’s tough to play those type of games, but I still think you can keep it under 100 points to save even more embarrassment for your opponents," said Taylor, who led the Buffanblu to four state titles in the past eight years. "Chris McLachlin really helped me on ways to keep scores down when we played weaker teams. You can get your starters to play roles they’re not used to playing."
The mismatches happen because Konawaena is required to play D-II programs in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s revised format.
