KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Community Little League Majors All-Stars leave Kaua‘i Thursday with the burden of defending its District 1 title. “The Minors All-Stars are playing at the state tournament right now after they were successful in defending its District
KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Community Little League Majors All-Stars leave Kaua‘i Thursday with the burden of defending its District 1 title.
“The Minors All-Stars are playing at the state tournament right now after they were successful in defending its District 1 title,” said Ken Nagahisa, coach of the Majors All-Stars. “We took the District 1 title last year before a home crowd, so now it’s our turn to see if we can defend that title.”
The team opens the tournament at 4 p.m.
“This year, the District 1 tournament is in Kaneohe,” Nagahisa said. “If we can get past Kailua, we sit until Sunday. If we can get past that game, we sit until the championship game.”
Nagahisa said this year’s team is fairly young.
“None of our players are returnees,” Nagahisa said. “We have five 11-year-olds and eight 12-year-olds. Last year, we had all 12s and if we had enough players for a Juniors team, they’d all be in it.”
But the players have the ability, Nagahisa said. Offensively, they’re pretty good but pitching isn’t as big of a postive, but he thinks with the depth the players have, it should be a good tournament.
Players include Ekolu Rivera, Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett, Leighton Moniz, Devin Terada, Kurt Napoleon, Trestin Alfiler, Samuel Vernola, Mana Kupihea, Boogie Yam, Keahonui Hopkins, Jayden Palenapa, Leslee Aki and Christopher Yam.
Aaron Kupihea, Moniz and Nagahisa are the team’s coaches.
