Talent takes you only so far, and Mililani senior Tia Furuta has plenty of that. It’s the “je ne sais quoi,” as the French say, that separates Furuta from the ordinary.

With an exceptional knack for finishing off plays in clutch situations, Furuta gets an A+ as a soccer striker. But there is something much more to her overall level of play. Drive or tenacity, perhaps, but that French idiom, “an indefinable, elusive quality,” may sum it up best.

When asked what he’ll remember about Furuta, Trojans coach Ray Akiona — with an admiring smile — said, “She is so totally focused and committed to the game. She is so physically intimidating on the field, but off the field she is the quietest, nicest person you will ever meet. She is so respectful and always says, ‘Hi, Coach’ or ‘Thank you.’ On the field, it’s ‘Stay out of my way.’ She is one of the most physically strong and determined players I’ve seen in a long time.”

Off to an early start

Furuta is off to a fast, 10-goal start in the Oahu Interscholastic Association season after a junior campaign in which she scored 26 goals, led Mililani to a Division I state championship, and was named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Player of the Year.

When the ball is at midfield, Furuta is like a hunter, and opponents better move the ball efficiently, because if they don’t, she pounces, often starting pass plays into the attacking zone.

To understand Furuta’s devotion to the game, you need look no further than her sisters, Tayzha and Tehani. The twins are sophomore center midfielders for the Trojans. Tia says that on their only off-day, Sunday, she takes them to the Mililani High field, where they climb the fence to put in more practice.

“And sometimes, we’ll go to a park after practice, too, to work on things,” Tayzha said. “She helps me with my shooting and motivates me to play harder.”

Added Tehani: “Tia teaches me the importance of extra practice. That’s how she got into the position she’s in now.”

Asked if that position meant “player of the year,” Tehani answered with a prideful demeanor, “Yes.”

Tehani knows firsthand the admiration that can come with that tag. At a school carnival, someone gave Tehani a free lemonade, thinking it was Tia. The two have similar facial characteristics.

Sports in the genes

The Furutas are an athletic family. The mom and dad are huge Mililani athletic boosters, older sister Talia played soccer, and older brother Dayton was a Mililani football standout and now plays for Hawaii.

“My dad and brother are super hard on me and my sisters, especially my sisters,” Tia said. “They let us know when they think we can do better. We have group texts before games. We’re super close.”

As a sophomore, Tia committed to play for coach Michele Nagamine at UH, and she eagerly awaits that.

“I’m excited to play again with my club teammate (midfielder Raisa Strom-Okimoto),” she said.

As for the Trojans (5-1 Oahu Interscholastic Association West) this year? Both Akiona and Furuta think it’s been a slow start.

“I really like this team,” Furuta said. “Everybody has a lot of individual talent. We all have one goal — to succeed. It’s a matter of chemistry and communication now. Sometimes, I feel (my teammates) are too nice.”

Not everyone can have Furuta’s doggedness, but they can try. The state title is on the line.

The High School Top 10

Voted on by coaches and media statewide. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.

Boys Basketball

Also receiving votes: Lahinaluna 7, Baldwin 6, University 1, Kapolei 1.

Girls Basketball

Also receiving votes: Leilehua 10, Hawaii Baptist 6, Honokaa 2, Campbell 1.

Top Performers

BOYS

Shandon Hopeau, Kapolei

Soccer

The Hurricanes captain scored nine goals against Campbell.

GIRLS

Tyra Moe, Punahou

Basketball

The senior scored 23 points against ‘Iolani, and had 10 points and eight rebounds against Kamehameha as the Buffanblu remained unbeaten in the ILH.

Girls Basketball

ILH DIVISION-I

TEAM, SCORING AVG.

Punahou, 58.5

Maryknoll, 57.2

‘Iolani, 50.2

Sacred Hearts, 43.4

Kamehameha, 42.8

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

Tyra Moe, Punahou, 15.0

Va’e Malufau, Punahou, 13.8

Camy Aguinaldo, ‘Iolani, 13.5

Jessica Hanashiro, Sacred Hearts, 12.8

Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou, 12.7

Chayse Milne, Maryknoll, 11.5

3-POINTERS MADE

Camy Aguinaldo, ‘Iolani, 11

Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou, 8

Dakota Vienna, Maryknoll, 7

Chayse Milne, Maryknoll, 7

Taylor Wu, ‘Iolani, 6

Elle Uyeda, Punahou, 6

OIA EAST

TEAM, SCORING AVG.

Roosevelt, 57.8

Kalani, 50.1

Farrington, 48.0

Kahuku, 46.7

Kailua, 44.8

Kaiser, 44.4

Moanalua, 44.0

Castle, 42.5

Kaimuki, 41.0

McKinley, 38.6

Kalaheo, 37.8

INDIVIDUAL SCORING
Keala Quinlan, Roosevelt, 21.3
Moli Heimuli, Farrington, 14.5
Rose Shimaoka, Kaiser, 14.2
Tau Williams, Kailua, 14.0
Brittini Blake, Kahuku, 12.7
Victoria Kintz, Kaimuki, 12.2

3-POINTERS MADE

Kirstin Kouchi, Kalani, 13

Noelle Suzuki, Kalani, 13

Sienna Ho, Moanalua, 11

Teane Sofa, McKinley, 11

Daesha Viela, Kalani, 9

Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki, 9

Kaylee Ishii, Castle, 9

OIA WEST

TEAM, SCORING AVG.

Leilehua, 54.0

Campbell, 49.3

Radford, 48.2

Nanakuli, 46.4

Mililani, 45.9

Waianae, 34.0

Kapolei, 32.2

Waipahu, 27.7

Aiea, 21.0

Waialua, 20.5

Pearl City, 19.5

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

Alana Nuuanu, Nanakuli, 14.0

Tywanna Abbott, Leilehua, 12.1

Gieani Balino, Campbell, 12.0

Jazmina Lafitaga, Mililani, 11.0

Kaedy Hatchett, Waialua, 10.2

3-POINTERS MADE

Gieani Balino, Campbell, 8

Shaylee Todani, Leilehua, 6

Kaedy Hatchett, Waialua, 6

Vien Crisostomo, Aiea, 5