2011 HHSAA Boys Volleyball States

This year the HHSAA held the Division I Boys State Championship States on the Big Island here in Hilo at Waiakea and Keaau Gymnasiums. The following schools participated in the tournament: Waiakea, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Kamehameha-Kapalama, Baldwin, King Kekaulike, Moanalua, Punahou, and Mililani. Unfortunately now, St. Joseph's boys volleyball team didn't advance to the second round of BIIFs because our boys aren't skilled enough but hopefully that will change soon!
States results are the following:
1st- Kamehameha Schools Kapalama (O'ahu)
2nd- Punahou (O'ahu)
3rd- Moanalua (O'ahu)
4th- Kamehameha Schools Hawaii (Big Island)
5th- Waiakea High School (Big Island)
I went every night to Keaau Gym or Waiakea Gym to watch games. I could talk about every night but the last night was the MOST EXCITING! The last night for the Championship game I got to watch Kamehameha-Kapalama play against Punahou. It was 3 out of 5 sets won. The game only consisted of 3 sets to crown the Kamehameha-Kapalama Boys Volleyball team STATE CHAMPS, but Punahou went out with a fight. Every set, the scores were super close that Punahou only fell short 1-3 points. I can't really say any errors for both teams because that's just how good it was. You pretty much had Punahou fans on one side and Kamehameha fans on the other. The gym was roaring with every kill, ace, or block that happened. I admit, Chynna's "husband" Micah Christenson was on fire that night with an amazing 44 kill attempts with 22 kills coming out of it and 0 hitting errors. Although he fumbled in the back row a few times, I'm sure that was one of his best games ever played.
Leading for Punahou were Sean Greuvner and Tui Tuileta. Both with amazing serves, kills, and passes. Tui is only a freshman but his hits are so SO powerful. In the 3rd set, he went up to hit the ball and when he did he slammed it into one of the Kamehameha boys chest and you could hear it really loudly and the whole gym went "oooooooh!". Very good game though!
After the game before the trophies were presented, all you saw was a swarm of girls running to the court to take pictures with the teams or in Chynna's case... A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL named Micah Christenson. Who can blame her... I mean 6'6" lean, athletic, muscular, luscious hair flipping Hawaiian hapa boy? No wonder all the girls go crazy over him. He has a full ride scholarship for USC where he plans to attend this fall.
If you weren't at Keaau Gym this past week to witness all of this... well YOU MISSED OUT! (:

End of the Season Reflection

Boys volleyball official season has come to an end. Although we haven't won any games through the season, we have built a strong bond of friendship. There was never a dull moment when one the court or even off the court. But that's just one of our plus sides. Another plus is, from the beginning of the season till now we have developed the skill of volleyball and have put it together. This year we are losing five boys, but we still have a handful amount returning. Today we are heading out to Kohala to play in the play offs. If they take us lightly we have a chance of pulling through with a win because we all know that we are skilled to be competing now on higher levels.

Senior Night

Friday April 15 was Senior Night for Boys Volleyball. We celebrated our five seniors: Ostrander, Dalton, Aldyn, Jon, and Chris Kosick. We played against Waiakea, who rank in the top 5 of the state/island. Although we didnt take the victory we had alot of fun. We went out onto the court to have fun and just play the sport. Getting killed on left and right was a good practice for us to be ready on our toes with our arms locked and knee's bent, for thats what we need to work on. At the end of the game our five seniors took their last spike for their last Cardinal Volleybal home game. Parents, family and friends all had gifts for them Seniors. To the seniors good luck on your new chapter in life. But dont forgett that volleyball is a sport you can continue to play at what ever age you are. Strive for the best and reach for the stars for there is no one stopping you being who and what you want to be.

SJS Golf

Being the only girl golfer... actually ONLY golfer period at St. Joseph High School, I need to represent myself and my school well. Considering that the season is almost over, now would be a good time to get to my peak and start pulling some low scores. So far, Iv'e not been doing my best. My best round that Iv'e played this year was at Waimea Country Club and I shot an 87 there... not very good and I can do better. Sometimes it's hard because I'm the only golfer than doesn't belong to a team but since my grandpa is the coach I guess that helps. Although we get into a lot of conflicts with each other because he's both my grandpa and my coach. I have a private swing coach that I go to twice a week and the rest of the time I'm either practicing on the range by myself or I'm on the course with other people.
This year they're taking 10 girls from the Big Island to play at the State Championships which is held here this year at the Waikoloa Village Resort Course. So far, I'm in the top 10 but if I qualify I'm going to humbly decline it since I made the Ho'olaulea court this year and they're both taking place on the same day. I chose Ho'olaulea because it's an honor and even though golf is important to me, states is here this year and it's only my junior year for school so there's always next year to work and hard and get another spot in the top 10.
The best shot Iv'e had this year was my birdie hole at Waikoloa Village course on the 12th hole. I hit my drive, laid up with a hybrid 65 yards short of the green, and then used my sand-wedge and as soon as it hit the green it plopped itself in the hole. I was so ecstatic I did a little Tiger Woods fist pump. Iv'e had other birdies this season but that was the highlight of this year so far. It was funny because this past monday when I played at Mauna Lani, I was on the 13th hole and I had no idea my grandpa/coach as sitting in the cart behind the tree watching everyone and I made a birdie on that hole so it was a big relief for me.
Iv'e been told that I can shoot a lot lower but I need to be more positive in my mind because golf is a mental game. Since then, I've been trying my best to forget bad shots and focus hole by hole but sometimes it's hard because it's me playing against about 15 other girls. But main thing is to just have fun, try your best, and shoot a decent score.

Volleyball Update

As each day goes by our Boys Volleyball Team have been showing tremendous progress. Although we haven't won any game so far, we are happy with how far we have came. Like we all said in the beginning of the year "Lets just go out there and have fun. What do we got to lose? Play the sport and learn each given day!!!" Starting Wednesday, we are entering our second round of competition. When we first started the year we were not on the level of competing, But now with the many games that has passed by and some experience. . .We have worked our way up. We just have to competitive and aggressive. Always in platform sitting there waiting for the ball to come. When playing against division 1 teams the ball comes faster that we anticipate, its a 1 2 Kill pattern. As for when we play division 2 teams we have to always watch the ball because we don't know if the ball is going to be a 1 2 kill, 1 2 tip, or a 1 tip. Volleyball is all about keep the ball off the ground and just running your skill. but must always remember to be relaxed and ready. When nervous, knees locked up, feet cemented into the ground, and arms bent, the ball always tends to find you. To the balls volleyball team keep up the good fight.

p.s. To our managers thank you for always being there for us, supporting us, and being honest with us. Without your guys side help i don't thing we would have reached the point where we are today. We love you guys all. . .Shae, Chynna, Tiara, Kuulei, and Kiana.

Kealakehe Tournament

On Saturday March 5, 2011, we, the boys volleyball team traveled to Kealakehe to participate in their schools weekend tournament. It was held on Friday and Saturday, but we only entered on Saturdays games. Overall I feel that the we put up a good show for everyone for we played with our hearts. Although we were not able to come out with a great victory. This being our first tournament, it was a good learning experience for us, as for every game is. We finally realized that the key to Volleyball is communication. Without communication on the court and encouragement from one other we either look like coconuts colliding into each other or just nerve racked children. "Mines", "I got", "Yours", "Short" are key words to letting your teammates know who will be getting the ball. After every point and mistake its good to say a cheer like "1 2 3. . .Yayy!" or "1 2 3. . .Right back". We played three back to back games. Rest for one game and then played another two. It was a tiring day. Even though we were not able to pull through with wins, we were awarded Good Sportsmanship Trophy.

"RIGHT BACK"

This pass week our boys volleyball team had two scrimmages to get the feel of what an actual game would be like. Although we did win overall, but each set for every scrimmage we made huge improvements. On March 1 they scrimmaged against Laupahoehoe as their first scrimmage. The Seasiders team consist mostly experienced players, but that didn't intimidate us all. We tried our hardest. For our second scrimmage on March 3, it was against Christian Liberty (CLA). Although they looked like a team that is easy to beat, we struggled a little. As if we totally forgot how to play. But as the game progressed, we picked our selves off the ground. With Aldyn, been out for this whole week due to a tweaked ankle, I have been taking over his position as setter. Having no practice in setting, on our first scrimmage I just went into the game and gave it my all. Not all my balls were perfect setts, but i had many decent ones also. To tell you the truth I believe that being setter is the hardest position on the team. You have to be able to sett every pass whether good or bad. Now today we have a scrimmage against Keaau. I'm am ready for it. We all know that they aren't going to go light on us. But if we all put our heads into the game and work together as one, with communication on the court we could pull out with the WIN!!. Also on saturday we will be heading out to kona to enter in the Kealakehe tournament. It's going to be a good experience for us, as for each game we take as a learning experience help us improve on what we have done wrong. For every sport, like they say "WE ARE THE SAINTS". Just going to have fun, but not also fun with determination.

"I GOT!!"

What do I hear? SJS is finally having a Boys Volleyball team after not having one for a few years? Yup, that's right and I'm one of them. Playing volleyball is a passion and what I love to do on my free time. It's been years since I have been on the court and to tell you the truth I am stoked that I'm back. Volleyball is not a complicated sport. Its bump, volley (face pass), and spike. Our Coaches: Coach Tim and Coach Alohi are awesome. They aren't the type that yells or gets mad at every mistake we make, but they are there to help us correct what we have done wrong. The pass few days of practice has been a joy ride. Our whole team is every enthusiastic towards the sport and we put our all into our practices. For many of the boys on the team its their first year playing. But what the heck, we all know the basics, so lets just go out there and have fun. No we are not a team that will be starting off at the top of the list, but we are also not at the bottom. This year due to the height and the will to work hard, we have high chances of making to states. Many of the teams we play are Division I, while we're Division II. Losing to them, if so, won't cause much harm. It will just give us more determination to work harder. Each game will be a learning process for all of us. Also with the help of our managers, the girls who have experience playing volleyball, they are always there for extra motivation and are also very stoked for us. To the whole team i just want to say "lets have fun, but keep our heads in the game. We got this boys!"

Boys Volleyball now at St. Joseph!

So we all know we haven't had a boys volleyball team in quite a while now but this year, enough boys to make a team signed up and have committed themselves to the game. A lot of new boys who have never played volleyball before are coming out, but for beginners they are pretty skilled. The boys coaches are Coach Tim and Coach Alohi. Coach Tim's son plays for the Mens Rainbow Volleyball team as their libero so he knows his stuff. Coach Tim said that our boys have a lot of potential and good values to work with. He also thinks they have a good shot at making state this year because most of the teams on the East side are Division I and since we're Division II, losing to DI schools aren't that much of big deal but he thinks we can beat some of the DI teams.
The boys team players are Christian Kaui, Dalton Kaitoku-Lucas, Thomas Fairman, Mikie Silva, Nathan Tabucbuc, Matthieu Ostrander, Christopher Kosick, Mason Bertilacci, Isaac Pacheco, Cody Andrade, and Aldyn Delere. Lot's of height and good sets of hands for setting. Myself, Shae Mattos, and Chynna Loeffler are the managers. Our jobs are to come to practice and workout with them, come to games to take stats, get water, and most importantly be some of the biggest fans for our boys in the gym! This years team is looking good :) They just might surprise you!

LOOK OUT FARRINGTON, HERE WE COME!

The Cardinal Courier was able to arrange a conference call this morning with some of basketball's all-time greats. How did we do this? Well, we never reveal our modus operandi. But trust us that our gonnections are top-drawer. We were delighted to find that they are all high school bball addicts, and all have vacation homes in Hawaii, and so they follow many local teams, including the Cards. We are honored that they gave their time to discuss with us the upcoming state tournament on Oahu this week. Following are some of their inciteful comments.

Legendary Coach of the Celtics, Red Auerbach:
Congratulations Coach Harry & Coach Scott. We coaches know that the players make it happen on the court. We also know that the attitude we bring to the team, to each of the players, has an impact. You both have done remarkably well in establishing a team that is of one mind. They are calm, positive, and sportsmanlike because that is how you have developed them. Coach Harry, your knowledge of the game, your humor, your simpatico and espirit de corps in building this team these 3 years is so very evident. And Coach Scott, you have picked up the reigns under difficult circumstances. Your poise, your constant support of the guys: you are a true gentleman and role model.


Jerry West, one of the all-time great guards
Will, you are the team floor leader. Everyone feels confident when the ball is in your hands. This will be crucial on Oahu, where the pressure will increase, the intensity will be so thick you will be able to cut the atmosphere with a knife. You have proved that you can handle this and lead your team. Be patient, and enjoy every moment. Farrington is expected to walk away with the big prize, but they must go through you. Play your game, run your plays, stay tough on defense, and with a few breaks, you could do to them what you did to other big schools on Oahu over Christmas. And keep a smile on your face: you & Dad are going to the big stage one more time!

Magic "Showtime" Johnson
Well, Sebi, here it is: showtime! The Big Gig. That silky-smooth delivery of yours is feared and envied. Don't be shy about putting some big numbers up. The guys look to you for that, so don't hesitate to take the shot. You probably know that the triple-double became a stat because of me. On the Cards, you are most like me: a versatile shooter, passer, and rebounder. And you are always ice under pressure. I like that! So relax: you can play with the best of them.

Isaiah "Mr. Clutch" Thomas
Aldyn, you hustle like I used to. I know that the Pistons depended on me to put up 30 points a night, but that is not your role. You are a fine shooter, and you have a nice quick move for the lay-up, and you will take the opportunities when they come. But it is your defense, your speed, that your team especially needs. You can turn a close game around with some key steals. And you can prevent penetration by your hounding of their guards. I have watched you really come alive in the 4th quarter on defense, and I know that the state tourney will bring out your best!

Julius "Dr. J" Erving, the man who started the modern era
Christian, Christian, Christian! You've been watching my old highlight reels. That balance that keeps you stable when attacking the bucket from every angle, defenders trying to hitch a ride on you, and you maintaining that old equilibrium - that's a rare gift. Heck, I had it too. And that speed? You are a potent weapon. I like how you have come on to this squad with a positive attutude and look to play a role and contribute how you can. Just keep doing what you're doing, creating offense when the situation calls for it, making steals, hitting the boards. I might even call you "Dr.C"!

Hakeem "The Dream" Olejuwon
Hey big fella. Thomas, you come to play - just like I always did. You also remind me of me with your strength and your soft touch off the jumper. Only us big guys know how lonely that warzone of paint can be when it's just you and 3 opponents trying to dismember you before you can get to the rim. Kind of like in my home country of Nigeria, when sometimes driving to the basket a cougar or cheetah might come darting out of the brush and climb your back! But you are a leader as well, as I noticed in that loss to Pahoa, how you rallied your team to keep fighting. You've got what it takes, so just enjoy the battle!

Tony Kukoc, reserve player on Jordan's Bulls
I'm not as well known as the other Hall-of-Famers here. I played in their shadow, so to speak. Or rather, in the shadow of the great among greats: Michael Jordan. But Jordan and Pippin and Paxton needed guys to push them in practice, to keep the morale of the team up, to be there for whatever Coach needed, to be ready to step, cold, onto a sizzling hot court with the game on the line. You guys on the bench - Cody, Dalton, Dale, Chris, Jon - you are also part of the heart and soul of this team. It all starts with your great, unselfish attitudes, the humor you bring to the long practices, the vocal support from the bench throughout the game. And it ends with your well-deserved but brief appearances to make valuable contributions. You bring, as we Croations say, jedinica, which you Americans might call unity, or all-for-one. Take it from Tony: your presence matters greatly on this team!

Cards conquer Kane, Lono

Cardinals rally to win stunner
by Bill O'Rear
Tribune-Herald Sports Editor

Published: Friday, January 21, 2011 10:11 AM HST
Kaui hits layup at buzzer to down Kam
"Shock City."

That's the best way to describe St. Joseph's incredible come-from-behind 35-34 win over Division I Kamehameha on Thursday night.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys basketball game was played at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and left fans from both teams standing, cheering and then in shock after a wild final 10 seconds when the shorthanded Cardinals snatched victory from the jaws of the heavily favored Warriors.

Kamehameha led most of the evening before Christian Kaui, a 6-foot-1 junior forward, hit two free throws with 1:38 remaining to give D-II St. Joseph (5-2) a 32-31 advantage. The hosts then grabbed a two-point lead on Dalton Kaitoku-Lucas' free throw at :27.

But the talented Warriors (5-2) spread the floor and sophomore Shaun Kagawa drilled a clutch 3-pointer at the :10 mark to lift the visitors on top 34-33.

The Cardinals didn't have a time out left and they pushed the ball down court, with the quick Kaui catching a pass on the run and driving for the winning layup just before the final buzzer sounded. The Cards then broke into a huge celebration in front of their bench as the last second ticked off the clock, realizing that they had won a game that few people outside their locker room thought was possible on Thursday evening.

The big victory came without senior point guard Will Scanlan-Leite, who missed the hard-fought contest with the flu. However, without their star guard handling the ball against Kamehameha's full-court press, St. Joseph got strong performances from Kaui, a Kamehameha transfer, and juniors Sebi Ohara-Saft and Thomas Fairman plus inspired contributions from the rest of the reinforcements who played.

"It was a total team effort," said an almost voiceless Scott Saft, the Cardinals' co-coach this season along with Harry Scanlan-Leite.

"All of our guys did what they could do and not what they couldn't do to help us tonight -- and our defense was just tremendous."

The Warriors, under coach Dominic Pacheco, jumped to a 15-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and led 29-17 at the intermission. But from there, the visitors couldn't buy a basket. They were shutout in the third period and only scored five points over the final eight minutes -- with Kagawa's 3-pointer at :10 their biggest scoring play in a cold-shooting half.

"We shot 22 percent for the game," Kamehameha coach Dominic Pacheco said. "But like I told the kids after the game, 'it's over.' The most important thing for us now is to get ready for the playoffs. The team that gets hot in the playoffs is the one that's going to make the most noise."

Kaui led St. Joseph with a game-high 12 points -- with none more important than his two free throws at 1:38 to give the Cardinals their first lead and then his game-winning basket that left him with tears of joy in his eyes after the emotional win.

Ohara-Saft and Fairman each added six points, but both did much more to help pull off the stunner. Ohara-Saft had seven rebounds and two steals and teamed with senior guard Aldyn Dalere to effectively bring the ball up against Kamehameha's pressure defense. The 6-5 Fairman had nine rebounds and five blocked shots plus teamed with 6-4 junior Cody Andrade (8 rebounds, 2 blocks) to contain the Warrior big men inside and anchor St. Joseph's difficult-to-attack zone defense.

"Cody and Al played great defense," Saft said. "They gave us a big lift and Christian played his best game of the season. Dalton also came in and hit a big three and a free throw. It was just a huge team effort for us and something that will give our guys more self-confidence as the season moves ahead."

Senior forward Jayce Carvalho led the Warriors with eight points and seven rebounds. But the visitors' dangerous backcourt of Kawaga and junior Lanaki Apele struggled all evening. Apele finished with five points, all in the first half, and Kagawa had just three, on his clutch trey in the final seconds.

Soccer Victory

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 the boys soccer team won our first game of the season against HAAS (Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science) 2-1. I feel that the factors of Wednesdays victory were communication and playing smart with the ball and passing wisely, freshmen Ben and senior Kapono scored through penalty kicks. Everyone handled the ball very good and the defense line were very strong. There will be another game against Kea'au High School on there home field at 3:00 P.M.

SJS Boys Soccer

The boy’s soccer team has 11 students in the team 1 freshmen, 6 sophomores, 1 junior and 3 senior, enough to make a team. We have not won any games lately, but i feel that we have been putting our full potential and we have been working hard and we do our best. i notice that we've improved a lot with the types of training we do, we have a better control of the soccer ball. On January 19, 2011 Wednesday at 3:00 P.M. there will be a boys soccer game against HAAS (Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science)