Two Red Raiders hoopsters have been named as this year’s best. The Kauai Interscholastic Federation Basketball All Star lists were released Thursday. Kauai High School senior Bryce Johnson-Cormack was named boys Player of the Year. Johnson-Cormack couldn’t be reached for
Two Red Raiders hoopsters have been named as this year’s best.
The Kauai Interscholastic Federation Basketball All Star lists were released Thursday.
Kauai High School senior Bryce Johnson-Cormack was named boys Player of the Year.
Johnson-Cormack couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
“The thing this year with Bryce, he picked it up a notch every year,” said Kauai High varsity boys basketball head coach Ipo Yoshioka. “Every year, he improved and got better offensively and defensively. I think one of the most biggest things about Bryce is that he’s a very humble kid. It’s very enjoyable to coach him. He’s a great kid to coach. He’s great kid to be around. He’s fun to be around.”
Kauai High, this year’s KIF championship winner, has three boys all stars this year. Waimea has two, and Kapaa has one.
“First of all, it’s a hard selection. It’s what all the coaches saw, not just me,” Yoshioka said. “It’s an honor that they got it. They’re in it, and I’m a happy for them. For me, I think everybody’s an all star because they all worked so hard.”
Among the girls, Red Raiders junior center Taegan Keep was awarded the top honor.
Keep couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
“Taegan really impacted the game, especially defensively for us,” said Kauai High varsity girls basketball head coach James Dingus. “I think the perimeter players were able to stretch out a little bit more and defend a little harder without having to worry too much because Taegan was behind them and was able to clean up mistakes with blocked shots and altering shots. Really, really impacted games for us defensively and (with) rebounding.”
For Dingus, this is his first Coach of the Year award. His Red Raiders squad won the KIF girls title this past season.
“Just the way we were able to play is the thing that I’m happiest about,” Dingus said. “To bring a level of aggressiveness and intensity. If I had a little something to do with that, that’s nice.”
Kauai, Kapaa and Waimea high schools each have two girls all stars this year.
KIF Basketball All Stars
Boys
Bryce Johnson-Cormack, Kauai, senior, guard
Christian Manera, Kauai, junior, guard
DJ Pabre, Waimea, junior, guard
Saxsen Shiira, Kapaa, senior, forward
Joel Soriano, Waimea, junior, forward
Joseph Cumlat, Kauai, senior, guard
Player of the Year: Bryce Johnson-Cormack, Kauai, senior
Coach of the Year: Ipo Yoshioka, Kauai
Girls
Taegan Keep, Kauai, junior, center
Jaliyah Casem, Kapaa, sophomore, guard
Paea Tafea, Kapaa, senior, guard/forward
Sheryl Ann Tomas, Kauai, senior, guard
Monique Joy Lorenzo, Waimea, junior, guard
Kiarra Palacio, Waimea, junior, guard
Player of the Year: Taegan Keep, Kauai, junior
Coach of the Year: James Dingus, Kauai
