Kean Wong, Kodi Medeiros and Quintin Torres-Costa hadn’t led Waiakea to a HHSAA championship yet, let alone heard their names called during the Major League Baseball draft.
But those three, along with a host of other high schoolers, were the talk of the town six years ago when they powered Hilo, coached by Kaha Wong, to the Senior League World Series title in Maine.
The Big Island hasn’t entered a team under the ages 15-16 umbrella in Little League since, but that will change Friday when a new group of youngsters take the field at the state tournament at Wong Stadium.
This time, it’s an islandwide effort led by North Hawaii and Honokaa High coach Lane Yanagisawa, who joined forces with Hilo High assistant coach Earl Moses. On a 13-member roster, six players play for the Dragons, three apiece come from Hawaii Prep and Hilo High and one from Kamehameha.
“North Hawaii was having a Senior team, and Hilo didn’t have enough to put together a team,” Moses said.
Looking back, that 2011 team was a freak of nature from a different era. Not only did the Big Island lose its Little League charter for a period, but these days, Moses said, a lot of high schoolers elect to play with travel teams or take time off after the BIIF season.
“Back then, Little League was big and there weren’t as many travel teams,” he said.
At noon Friday, Central East Maui plays Pearl City, then North Hawaii and Honolulu meet at 3 p.m in a double elimination tournament that runs through Monday.
Moses tabbed Maui as the team to beat. North Hawaii could be the most inexperienced teams in the four-team field.
“From all the teams I’ve coached,” Moses said, “we’ve had to do a lot of work with this one.
“But I’ve got seven or eight (key) players. We should be able to make a run.”
On the team are Honokaa High’s Canen Perreira, Zavier Ugalde, McKade Shara, Chad Yanagisawa, Waimea Ramos, Dakota Kala; Hilo High’s Dayson Moses, Ocean Gabonia and Paul Antony; Hawaii Prep’s Skyler Sunahara, Todd Hill and Benjamin Apilado; and Kamehameha’s Luke Kaniho.
• There is also an ages 15-16 PONY League team, coached by Hilo coach Tony De Sa, that is preparing for the Colt West Zone championships in San Jose, Calif., from July 31-Aug. 1.
Noticeably absent from either team is Kamehameha ace Tai Atkins, Moses said.
• The West Side, with help from Ka’u, will represent the Big Island at state Junior League tournament from July 14-18 on Maui.
West Side was to have played North Hawaii last weekend at districts, but North Hawaii pulled out.
Softball
Gold Coast Little League has two teams preparing for West Regionals on the mainland later this month.
Coached by Brad Samura along with assistants Melissa Samura and Allyn Spencer, the Majors (ages 11-12) will play in San Bernardino, Calif, for tournament play July 21-28.
On the team representing Honokaa, Waimea, Kohala, Waikoloa and Kailua-Kona are Sunny Akau, Mia Silvano Joaquin, Brooke Samura, Kamalani Doctor, Anela Spencer, Kina’u Grace, Elliana DeRego, Malie Espejo, Kanoe Piltz, Johnna-Lee Lorenzo, Kyana Brucelas, Iliana Kaiamakini and Krysta-Lyn Lewis.
The team is fundraising and taking donations. For more information, email goldcoastlittleleague@hotmail.com.
• The Seniors (15-16) are coached by Jerry Hiraishi with assistants Joby Amaral and JT Taketa. On the team are Kaila Tabiolo-Amaral, Tehani Epenesa, Nanea Kaluau, Erin Kaimuloa Bates, Andi Uemura, Natasha Molina, Pilila’i Ka’ai, Telsea Taketa, Lisa Mudong.
