Kapaa duo selected as year’s best

As chosen by the coaches, this year’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys and girls soccer all stars have been named.

Among the 24 total all stars, two stood out.

For the girls, Kapaa senior defender Eryka Keoho was chosen as girls player of the year.

“It means a lot. From my freshman year, I always wanted to get player of the year,” Keoho said. “I’m really happy. I’m pretty sure only forwards got it. I’m not sure, but that’s really exciting to me.”

Kapaa varsity girls soccer coach Kevin Cram said Keoho was deserving of the award because of her physical talents and her soccer smarts.

“Eryka anchored our defense. In 13 regular season games, only six goals were scored against us,” Cram said. 

“One of the main things is that they were coachable. As I came in as coach, there was a different style of play I wanted them to buy into. Because they were able to buy in, it helped make them successful,” he added about his other all stars. “The first thought is that our team really didn’t have any standout players. They were good team players and helped each other be successful.”

Cram was selected as the girls coach of the year.

“Generally, whoever wins the KIF gets coach of the year. I don’t know if that’s a real big deal. As long as I see our girls successful, that’s all I want to see,” Cram said. “It’s always nice to be voted on by your peers, but the recognition of the girls is the biggest satisfaction I get from it.”

From the boys, Kapaa junior midfielder Justin Franklin earned player of the year honors.

Franklin couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.

“Justin is a big kid. He’s got size. He spent his whole life with a soccer ball with his foot,” said Warriors varsity boys soccer coach Gary Hudson about Franklin. “He contributes with his play and his work ethic. He’s always willing to help, and he’s smart.”

“Their hard work and effort paid off, but they couldn’t do it with the rest of the gang,” he added about his all stars.

Hudson also won boys coach of the year.

“That honor is a reflection of the team and the coaching staff. I’m definitely not there by myself,” he said. “It’s awesome. All the coaches, they’re all very knowledgable. It’s greatly appreciated.”

KIF soccer all stars

Girls 

Forward: April Barnes, freshman, Kapaa

Forward: Brianna Binder, freshman, Island School

Forward: Wailana Gandeza, senior, Kauai

Midfield: Stephanie Cram, senior, Kapaa

Midfield: Aleigha Scovel, junior, Kauai

Midfield: Brianna Griep, junior, Island School

Defense: Caley Caires, junior, Kauai

Defense: Kailana Kaimainaauao, junior, Kapaa

Defense: Kawehi Taniguchi, junior, Kauai

Defense: Eryka Keoho, senior, Kapaa

Goalie: Nygeria Williams, sophomore, Kapaa

Utility: Julia Hirano, junior, Waimea

Player of the Year: Eryka Keoho, senior, Kapaa

Coach of the Year: Kevin Cram, Kapaa

Boys

Forward: Keale Lee, senior, Kapaa

Forward: Erik Benitez, junior, Kauai

Forward: Gilroy Pacleb, senior, Waimea

Midfield: Justin Garma, senior, Kauai

Midfield: Justin Franklin, junior, Kapaa

Midfield: Tyren Kaneshige, senior, Kauai

Defense: Noah LaMadrid, senior, Kapaa

Defense: Hakuokawai Barriga, senior, Waimea

Defense: Shane Ogata, senior, Kauai

Defense: Matt Schmidt, junior, Kapaa

Goalie: Austyne Carvalho-Toloai, senior, Kapaa

Utility: Francis Green, senior, Island School

Player of the Year: Justin Franklin, junior, Kapaa

Coach of the Year: Gary Hudson, Kapaa