As voted for by the coaches, this year’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation baseball all stars have been named. Of the 12 that comprise the list of standouts, eight come from KIF winner Kauai High School. “It shows that they worked hard
As voted for by the coaches, this year’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation baseball all stars have been named.
Of the 12 that comprise the list of standouts, eight come from KIF winner Kauai High School.
“It shows that they worked hard during the year,” said Kauai varsity baseball head coach Hank Ibia on Wednesday. “They worked hard throughout the season to become the players that they are today.”
Red Raiders senior third baseman and pitcher Micah Layosa was named KIF Player of the Year.
Layosa couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.
“Micah, in the past, he’s been an all star in youth baseball. He has a lot of baseball background. But this year, he pitched well and he hit well. That was the case for giving him MVP,” Ibia said.
Other Kauai High all stars are seniors Brayden Abreu, Sam Nakata, Douglas Miyasato, Kobey Dias, Gunner Vallatini, Keala Iwasaki.
In addition, Ibia was named Coach of the Year.
“Well, there’s only three coaches. And usually whoever is the (KIF) winner gets Coach of the Year,” Ibia said. “We, as coaches, worked hard also to get to this point. It was nice by the two coaches to select me for being Coach of the Year. It’s all good for me.”
Kauai was 13-2 overall this year, going 11-1 during the KIF regular season and 2-1 at the Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball Championships – Division II state tournament, where the team placed fifth.
KIF runner-up Kapaa has three players on the all star list: sophomores Ekolu Rivera, Kalena Harder and Chayse Basuel.
Kapaa went 6-6 in the KIF season, including going 4-2 in the second round and giving Kauai High its only loss in the regular season.
“It feels good. Everybody in the KIF, they’re really good athletes,” Rivera said. “It feels good that I got that this year.”
Rivera added about Kapaa’s all stars all being sophomores: “Our team is very young. I feel we’ll be stronger in the future.”
Waimea has one all star — junior catcher Caleb Ephan. The Menehune catcher said being named an all star gives him incentive to play even better next season.
“It means a lot, actually. I’m proud of myself because I worked hard,” Ephan said.
Waimea was 1-11 in the regular season.
Pitcher: Brayden Abreu, Kauai, senior
First base: Sam Nakata, Kauai, senior
Second base: Douglas Miyasato, Kauai, senior
Third base: Ekolu Rivera, Kapaa, sophomore
Shortstop: Kobey Dias, Kauai, senior
Catcher: Caleb Ephan, Waimea, junior
Left field: Kalena Harder, Kapaa, sophomore
Center field: Gunner Vallatini, Kauai, senior
Right field: Keala Iwasaki, Kauai, senior
Utility: Chayse Basuel, Kapaa, sophomore
Player of the Year: Micah Layosa, Kauai, senior
Coach of the Year: Hank Ibia, Kauai
