KAPAA — A couple of Warriors were recognized as this year’s best.
The list of this year’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation baseball and softball all-stars was released by the league Thursday.
Kapaa senior shortstop Tia Takasaki was named KIF softball Player of the Year, and senior second baseman Kade Kupihea was named KIF baseball Player of the Year.
All-stars are nominated by the league’s coaches.
“It’s truly an honor,” Takasaki said Thursday. “Being it was my senior year, I knew had to finish strong and make my last season memorable. There’s lots of talented girls out there. Knowing that we competed with the other Kauai teams, it’s really a special feeling.”
Kapaa’s varsity softball team had an 10-3 overall KIF record as the Warrior wahine went on to repeat as league champions.
The Warriors were 1-2 and placed sixth at the 2018 DataHouse Softball Championships–Division II state tournament on Oahu.
“We had a young team, so it was a little more tough this year,” Takasaki said. “The younger girls knew how badly us seniors wanted it. They pulled through. Getting to states was the first goal for us. It was our goal to play at (Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium). Getting there was not easy. We ended up playing there for our last game which was definitely an amazing experience.”
Kapaa has eight all-stars this year including. Kapaa varsity softball head coach Francis Takasaki, who’s Tia’s father, was named Coach of the Year.
Coach Takasaki said the team overcame a shaky start to the season to win a second straight championship.
“We have a lot more younger players. The root cause of the majority of our problems was suffering a lot of unforced errors by a lot of our younger players, which basically does not turn out very well,” he said. “That was our goal in the second half — to minimize unforced errors, which was our problem as far as the early losses that we suffered. We did a better job in the second half controlling that, and I think that really us in our process.”
Kauai and Waimea high schools each have one all-star selection.
The Warriors varsity baseball team had an 11-3 KIF record as Kapaa won its first league baseball championship since 2013.
“I’m pumped. That’s an honor,” Kupihea said Thursday. “I love playing for Kapaa. It was always my goal to be a starter and leader on my baseball team. Never really tried to play for myself. I always tried to play for the team no matter the circumstance.”
At the 2018 Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball Championships–Division II state tournament, Kapaa was 2-1 and placed third.
“I might have won the award, but it was not just me. There’s nine people on that field, and it all counts. Everyone needs to do their own thing and make plays, and I think that’s what we did,” Kupihea said. “We had more of a chemistry from our freshman year, I feel, than the past seasons. I believe we’re a good group of kids, and we enjoyed being with each other. It was meant to happen sooner than later, especially with the talent we had on our team.”
Kapaa has four all-stars. Kauai High has five all stars, and Waimea has one all-star. Kapaa varsity baseball head coach Bryan Aiwohi was named Coach of the Year.
“Those four guys — we had five captains, but I guess one guy didn’t make the list — they were our spark plugs,” Aiwohi said. “They got our offense going. They were big on defense for us. They led our team. … You can’t ask for more than that. These are the guys that at practice, they work hard all the time in every drill. That’s why they shine. They put in the work.”
Aiwohi added of Kupihea getting the POY award: “He was voted Most Valuable Player of our team by our coaches, too. Basically, he decided at the beginning of the year he was going to be the leader. … He was our leadoff batter. He had the best batting average. He’s just a full-on team guy, and it showed at the state tournament. That’s why he won that award. He played his heart out for the team.”
KIF Softball All-Stars
Pitcher: Leipua Kaui, Kapaa, senior
Catcher: Sabrina Telles-Kelekoma, Kapaa, senior
First baseman: Kieren Henderson, Waimea, freshman
Second baseman: Shailee Telles-Kelekoma, Kapaa, junior
Third baseman: Kendra Kupihea, Kapaa, junior
Shortstop: Tia Takasaki, Kapaa, senior
Outfielders: Shanalyn Marshall, Kapaa, junior; Taelyn Dakamas, Kapaa, sophmore; Tiani Kaui, Kapaa, junior
Utility: Justice Funamura-Sasil, Kauai, junior
Player of the Year: Tia Takasaki, Kapaa, senior
Coach of the Year: Francis Takasaki, Kapaa
KIF Baseball All-Stars
Pitcher: Nainoa Cardinez, Kapaa, sophomore
Catcher: Skyler Sadora, Kauai, senior
First baseman: Ricky Rego, Kauai, junior
Second baseman: Kade Kupihea, Kapaa, senior
Third baseman: Ekolu Rivera, Kapaa, senior
Shortstop: Ka’imi Malina, Kapaa, junior
Outfielders: Lacin Montemayor, Waimea, junior; Ethan Gray, Kauai, senior; Hoku Parbo, Kauai, senior
Utility: Christian Manera, Kauai, senior
Player of the Year: Kade Kupihea, Kapaa, senior
Coach of the Year: Bryan Aiwohi, Kapaa
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
