• KIF winter sports stars KIF winter sports stars By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island With back on the winter best. the 2004-2005 KIF spring sports starting up, it’s time to look season’s The Red Raider boys’ basket-ball
• KIF winter sports stars
KIF winter sports stars
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
With back on the winter best. the 2004-2005 KIF spring sports starting up, it’s time to look season’s
The Red Raider boys’ basket-ball squad came out of the gates with a ton of expectations. For one, their team featured 10 seniors, including last season’s player of the year, Jeremy Manuel, who transferred to Kaua‘i High School, after a stellar career as the head of the Menehune machine.
6’8″ senior center Futi Tavana is one of the tallest basketball players in KIF history and he made his presence felt early on in the season, despite suffering from a calf injury. He still managed to lead the league in scoring, blocks, and rebounding. Tavana will play at the next level, possibly at BYU-Hawai‘i, as head coach Ken Wagner made a visit to the Raiderdome to watch him play.
The catalyst of the senior group was Kekoa Crowell. The Red Raider quarterback did the dirty work in the paint. He came up with the big rebound, the timely pass, or the crucial jumper. Crowell basically did the things that don’t show up on the scoreboard, but are very important to the final outcome of every contest.
Junior shooting guard Josh Bradbury and Manuel made the perfect guard combo. I’m almost sad to see Manuel graduate because of the great chemistry both he and Bradbury shared on the court as a one-two punch.
At the state level, Kaua‘i played tough against Kalaheo in the first round, but the Mustangs proved to be a vastly improved team, considering the Red Raiders trounced them in preseason action at the Iolani Prep Classic. At one point in that game, Kaua‘i was up 40-14!
KIF soccer, which shared the spotlight with basketball, made for an interesting, but exciting season. On the girls side, it was a two team battle ‘til the end, with the Warrior women snatching the trophy away from the defending champion Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders.
Head coach Crissy Marti’s confidence and swagger showed up in her team’s play. The Warriors played tough throughout the season, despite fielding a young squad, filled with underclassmen. Player of the year Amniesty Ragsac, along with Erin Pickett were terrors on the defensive end. Rancee Wilson, Tiana Kunioka, Britney Carvalho, and Joanne Kaona held down the other side of the field for Kapa‘a.
Freshman goalie Meagan Pablo and Ka‘ala Leong also made a big impact on the season for the Warriors. Next season should be another barn burner.
For the boys, no one will ever forget the dent the Menehune put on the state soccer scene. After breezing through the KIF season, Waimea went up to states with a lot of confidence and it translated to one of the biggest wins in KIF history, with a triumph over the 4-time defending state champion Mililani Trojan squad, who won over 60 straight games, before the loss to the Menehune.
Chad “Mighty Mouse” Thompson, who got a new “addition” after accepting his nick-name, played brilliantly from start to finish.
Thompson, one of only a few underclassmen on the Waimea squad, should reload for another state title run. If not, then this past seasons third-place state finish will definitely be a moment the team could tell their grandkids when they get older!
First-year swimmer Jennifer Lindsey, utilized her 6’5″ frame to make the KIF swimming all-star squad. Although no girl qualified for states, the races at the KIF meets were as exciting as it has ever been.
Waimea’s Katelyn Umetsu, Kaua‘i’s Meaghan Sims, Kula’s Wailana Waite, and Kapa‘a’s Liana Nakazawa also got the nod for the elite team.
Island School frosh Ben “Jiggy wid’ it” Baldwin was the only Kauaian to make it in the top 10 at states. Kaua‘i’s Aaron Ramelb, Keenan Anaya, and Kyson Gusukuma were all-stars as well. Lone senior Eric Oroc of Waimea rounded out the list.
Waimea’s boys and girls canoe paddling crews taught us all a lesson on winning as a team.
Head coach Hualani Bustillos-Duncan is extremely proud of her team’s effort and even said that O‘ahu teams praised the Kaua‘i teams for the way they conducted themselves throughout states.
The Kapa‘a mixed crew was the other KIF champion squad this season. Kaua‘i High School’s cheer squad, led by Holly Shimazu, dominated once again with another KIF title. The packed house at the Raiderdome caught a glimpse of another great cheer season.
As we move into golf, baseball, and girls’ basketball, with track and tennis already going on, let’s see if they can top what spring had to offer!
