Human dig machine

The diving, the sliding and the tumbling on hardwood is something Kamehamehas Mia Heirakuji has become accustomed to.

On a team of outstanding back-row defenders, the 5-foot-3 junior is simply the best. She came up with 23 digs in last weeks four-set win over No. 4 Iolani.

We have a pretty scrappy defense and I think thats what paid off and got us the win, she said. I think we can be more aggressive on defense. (Iolanis)Hoakalei (Dawson) ripped all night, but we made an adjustment.

Kamehamehas other top-shelf diggers Reyn Tita Akiu, Tiyana Hallums and Kayla Afoa make it extremely difficult for foes to outlast the states most balanced volleyball team. The Warriors, now 12-0 in ILH play, were ranked No. 5 nationally by studentsports.com last week. They have already clinched a state-tourney berth.

We definitely play with more confidence now from the Durango tournament (in Las Vegas). We know what level we can play at, Heirakuji said.

Waianae offense gets over Castles wall

The final score, a 37-7 win for Waianae, didnt show it.

For some time in the first half, however, the Seariders had issues against a stubborn Castle defense.

Our defense held it up the whole game. We had mistakes early in the game that kind of held us back, quarterback Kekoa Kaluhiokalani said. Once we executed and plays started to run smoothly, it was good.

Waianae had not faced a defense with nine in the box until Saturday.

I give credit to their team. All the other teams we played, (our option) is a hard thing to stop. The give read or pitch or keep, Kaluhiokalani added. Castle did really good.

Waianae kept at it, pounding a defense that had heart but not much depth. The Seariders rushed for 256 yards and ran the ball on 52 of 61 plays. Waianae (7-2) advanced to the OIARed quarterfinals.

WEEKLY HONORS

Honor Roll

Football

Makoa Filikitonga, Lahainaluna: 116 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown on the ground and 89 yards and a touchdown through the air in a win over Kamehameha-Maui.

Elijah Tasini, Maui: 242 yards rushing on 17 carries with two touchdowns in a win over King Kekaulike.

Kingston Fernandez, Kapolei: Three sacks and three tackles for loss (16 sacks on the season) for the defensive end.

Sione Holika, Hilo: Two defensive scores on a 25-yard fumble recovery in the first quarter and a 57-yard interception return near the end of the first half for the linebacker against Waiakea.

Randy Neverson, Leilehua: Rushed for a career-high 175 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 carries in a 54-17 win over Moanalua on Friday.

Heisman Hosoda, Punahou: Ran for a career-high 117 yards and was one of three Buffanblu players apiece to rush for two touchdowns in a 59-7 win over Pac-Five on Friday.

Jacob Anae, Waipahu: Rushed for a career-high 116 yards and a touchdown in the loss to McKinley.

Triston Pebria, Kapolei: Rushed for 111 yards and three first-half touchdowns in a 42-27 win over Kailua on Friday.

Tristin Kamaka, Leilehua: Returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown and caught two passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against Na Menehune.

Chad Aragon, Moanalua: Caught nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Leilehua.

BOWLING

Thomas Berger, Aiea: Rolled a perfect 300 game in the final OIA West competition at Schofield Bowling Center.

Danielle August, Mililani: Rolled a 627 series to help the Trojans knock down 2,627 pins on Thursday, 500 more than the next-closest team.

Tyra Sanchez, Moanalua: Had a 564 series at K-Bay Lanes on Thursday.

Ikaika Soderberg, Castle: Put together a 621 series at K-Bay Lanes on Thursday.

Justin Ushio, Maryknoll: Put down a 256 game and 600 series in the Spartans’ sweep of Lanakila Baptist at Hickam Bowling Center.

Kasandra Kitagawa, Sacred Hearts: Had a 574 series with a 236 game in a win over Mid-Pacific.

Cross Country

Amanda Beaman, ‘Iolani: Won the ILH race at Punahou in 19 minutes, 14.62 seconds.

Davis Kaahanui, Kamehameha: Won his fourth straight race with a 16:06.78 at Punahou.

Ian McQuate, Waiakea: Won the BIIF meet at Keeau with a time of 16:56.34.

Carmen Garson-Shumway, Hilo: Covered 3 miles in 19:17.29 to win the BIIF meet at Hilo.

Vanessa Roybal, Mililani: Won the OIA JV championship with a time of 19:31.97 at Central Oahu Regional Park.

Air Riflery

Susan Shiroma, Punahou: Shot a 272 to help the Buffanblu beat La Pietra.

Zachary Chang, Mid-Pacific: Shot a 259 to lead all scorers in a win over Saint Louis.

Zane Grzeskczak, Pearl City: Won the OIA championship with a 513 at Pearl City High School.

Kristi Takaki, Pearl City: Scored 533 points to win the OIA girls championship and help the Chargers repeat as team champions.

Volleyball

Hoakalei Dawson, ‘Iolani: 15 kills in a loss to Kamehameha.

Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha: 12 kills in a win over ‘Iolani.

Ashley Vaoifi, Mililani: 14 kills in a playoff win over Castle.

Jordyn Keamo, Mililani: 37 assists in a win over Castle.

TOP 10 POLLS

Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.