Hands of victory

No one would blame Kanawai Noa for taking a break.

A serious hand injury sidelined the All-State wide receiver just briefly.

"I tore the ligaments between my thumb and my (index) finger," he said of the injury that happened against Saint Louis nearly three weeks ago.

Surgery repaired the damage and he has worn an air cast since. Even with the impediment — and pain — he hauled in 11 passes for 147 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown, in Punahou’s 38-12 win over Kamehameha on Friday.

The soreness and fatigue eventually proved Noa to be human. He dropped two passes late in the game, but those first 11 grabs against, arguably, the state’s top defense won’t be forgotten.

Hurricane watch

Kapolei lineman Kalani Vakameilalo is the apple of many eyes in the world of college football.

The senior will visit the campus of Oregon State along with Lahainaluna defensive standout Hercules Mata‘afa this weekend. The Beavers play USC.

"He’s a good kid," Hurricanes coach Darren Hernandez said, noting that Vakameilalo is close to becoming an NCAA qualifier.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle has at least 10 other offers, including a nearly full menu of Mountain West teams. His performance at mainland summer camps, including the All-Poly Camp, won over a number of recruiters.

Radford toughs it out

Radford’s road to its first OIA White volleyball title since 2005 got tiring toward the end.

But the Rams dug deep and prevailed after nine tough sets against Kalaheo in a four-day span, culminating in a four-set win — 25-23, 22-25, 33-31, 25-22 — on Saturday that earned them the No. 4 seed in the Division II state tournament.

That win followed a thrilling five-set loss to the Mustangs on Wednesday that forced Saturday’s winner-take-all match.

Radford gets a bit of rest now, having earned a first-round bye at states, and faces the winner of today’s match between Waimea and Pahoa on Wednesday at McKinley.

The Division I tournament also begins today, with four matches on the Big Island. See today’s schedule for both tournaments on Scoreboard, C6.

WEEKLY HONORS

Honor Roll

FOOTBALL

» Larry Tuileta, Punahou: Threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Buffanblu past Kamehameha for the ILH title.

» Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou: Scored three touchdowns — one rushing, two receiving — in the ILH title game.

» Rodney Lakalaka, Punahou: Three sacks in the win over Kamehameha.

» Kanawai Noa, Punahou: Caught 11 passes for 147 yards and a TD against Kamehameha.

» Makoa Filikitonga, Lahainaluna: Scored on a 51-yard interception return and 78-yard run the first two times he touched the ball in a win over Maui. He finished with 131 yards rushing.

» Jared Rocha-Islas, Lahainaluna: 140 rushing yards and six PATs against Maui.

» Tyler Teruya, ‘Iolani: Caught 12 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders’ 28-7 ILH championship-game victory over Damien.

» Sanele Lavatai, Farrington: Scored the lone touchdown, on a 3-yard run in the third quarter, and finished with 79 rushing yards in the OIA semifinals against Campbell.

» Vavae Malepeai, Mililani: Rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries to lead the Trojans past Kahuku in the OIA semifinals.

» Jacob Afele, Mililani: 12 tackles, four for loss, and a sack against Kahuku.

» Kelii Padello, Mililani: Seven tackles, four for loss, three sacks against Kahuku.

» Kainoa Wilson, Mililani: Caught five passes for 90 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown in the first quarter against Kahuku.

» Polikapo Liua Jr., Kahuku: Rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown against Mililani.

» Dusty Flores, Baldwin: Rushed for 152 yards in a win over King Kekaulike.

» Micah Pagaduan, Baldwin: Rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown against King Kekaulike.

CROSS COUNTRY

» Davis Kaahanui, Kamehameha: Repeated as boys state champion and led the Warriors to their second straight team championship.

» Teri Brady, Punahou: Finished fifth in the girls state championship on Kauai, leading the Buffanblu to their eighth team title in nine years.

BOWLING

» Candace Minami, Hawaii Baptist: Rolled a 571 series with a 214 game to lead the Eagles to the ILH title in a rolloff against Sacred Hearts.

» Caitlin Cunningham, Sacred Hearts: Won the ILH singles title with a 703 series and shared the doubles title with Hailey Ganiron.

» Owen Saito, Hawaii Baptist: Won the ILH boys singles title with a 657 series, including games of 247 and 236.

VOLLEYBALL

» Silerolia Gaogao, Moanalua: Blitzed Kahuku for 17 kills in an upset of the Red Raiders and added five more in a loss to Mililani.

» Sarah Liva, Mililani: Led the Trojans with 14 kills in an OIA championship match win over Moanalua.

» Ashlee Vaoifi, Mililani: Notched 13 kills in the win over Moanalua.

» Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo: Destroyed Radford for 19 kills in a five-set win.

» Faith Ma’afala, Kamehameha: Returned from injury to register 10 kills and help run the show as a setter in a win over Punahou for the ILH championship.

» McKenna Rose Granato, Punahou: Put down 19 kills in the loss to Kamehameha.

» Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha: The setter shared the team high in kills against Punahou with Tiyana Hallums with 17.

» Arianna Feleti, Radford: Led the Rams with 18 kills in an OIA championship victory over Kalaheo.

Athlete of the Week

Dakota Grossman
Seabury Hall runner

The senior sealed the deal on her fourth straight state championship in cross country, giving her eight gold medals in her career, with spring track and field season yet to come.