There was a picture of DallasJ Duarte in 2016 that signaled the start of a special year for him and his Kamehameha teammates.
The Warriors won the HHSAA Division II championship that season, the program’s first state title and continued the dynasty train’s run.
Kamehameha coach Andy Correa has stored the photo, a reminder of Duarte’s athleticism and determination to help his team.
The photo was taken by Makena Wagner, a 2016 Kamehameha graduate and softball player. It featured Duarte soaring over a Hawaii Prep catcher during a preseason game.
“I was doing whatever it takes to get that run across the board,” Duarte said. “That’s important to me and whatever needs to be sacrificed, including my body.”
Two years later, the Kamehameha senior catcher leaves with four league crowns, one state title, and as the BIIF Division II player of the year, in a vote by the league’s coaches, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, and West Hawaii Today.
Duarte, who batted .340 with a .500 on-base clip and struck out once in 53 at-bats, wanted to slice up the POY honor like a pizza and share it with everyone important in his life.
“I feel honored, and without my team, coaches, and family, I would not be half the man I am today,” he said. “Being POY means a lot to me as a student and athlete because I’ve been putting in work as a kid trying to make it big. Whether or not I make it, I know I can be the best son possible for my hard-working mom, Michelle Duarte.”
Six teammates join Duarte on the first team: first baseman Bula Ahuna (.363, .532 on-base, 13 RBIs), third baseman La‘a Asuncion (.319, .469, 16), outfielders Kyran Kai (.322, .377, 13) and Kekona Naipo-Arsiga (.353, .468, 14), and pitchers Zakaia Michaels (4-0, 0.98 ERA, 28 2/3 innings) and Tai Atkins (6-0, 0.50 ERA, 28 innings).
The other first-team selections are Honokaa first baseman Canen Perreira, Konawaena first baseman Stevie Texeira, Konawaena second baseman Jake Basque, Konawaena third baseman Kolu Alani, Hawaii Prep shortstop Finn Richmond, Konawaena outfielder AJ Allred, and HPA utility Jonah Hurney.
Kamehameha coach Andy Correa, who was named the BIIF coach of the year, described Duarte as a rare diamond gem.
“He’s one of the most physically talented players I’ve had the pleasure to work with in my 28 years of coaching high school baseball,” Correa said. “Besides talent, he has worked hard to continue his development throughout his four years in season and on his own.
“Humble and selfless, he has always been a good teammate to everyone on the team. A joy for the coaching staff to work with and fun to be around.”
The Warriors have pocketed the last seven BIIF championships, and the team chemistry, among the players and coaching staff, has been the glue.
Duarte returned the plate of praise to his coach with his uncanny sense of humor.
“My best memories are the ones I spent with my team and coaches on and off the field, along with all the boring but much-needed speeches from coach Andy also known as nap time,” Duarte said.
Somewhere, all of the Warriors are laughing. Of course, Correa saw that line coming from a mile away.
“He’s mischievous with a great personality and outlook for the game,” said Correa, who then summed up Duarte’s impact. “He’s a great competitor who helped raise the level of the program over his four years. He will not be replaced.”
But it’s also the small but important things about Duarte that Correa will remember, too.
“He always made it a point to pack and carry the catching equipment before and after games, knowing he needed to because he always had playing time,” Correa said.
Laughs heal loss
With experience, including five senior starters (second baseman Kalai Klask-Hoopii and outfielder Kahi Tolentino were honorable mention) and deep pitching, Kamehameha had the horses to make a serious state title run.
But Radford rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh for a 6-4 win over the Warriors in the state quarterfinals.
“Losing in the quarterfinals was a shock as well as heartbreak,” Duarte said. “Although the seniors weren’t happy with the outcome, we all know we will be successful in the future because of the coaching we had that was not only for baseball but life itself.
“Our team was really full of clowns, and it was good fun to be around them. Having comedians on the team made it a good and fun year. Although we lost and ended on a bad note, our boys had ways to pick us up.”
Next stop, Manoa
Duarte is another product of coach Kaha Wong’s Big Island Wooden Bat League to land a scholarship.
As a sophomore, Duarte performed well at a showcase attended by Wong and UH coach Mike Trapasso.
“I ran my 60-yard dash, showed off my arm and bat as well,” Duarte said. “I was a sophomore thirsty to get college offers already whether it was junior college or Division I. On the last day after a scrimmage, coach Trap then came up to me with the good news of a scholarship, which touched me and my mom.
“I saw Chayce Kaaua (a 2013 Hilo graduate and UH catcher) at the last showcase I had on Oahu this year, and he gave me nothing but good vibes and positive news about Manoa. He was happy more Hawaii boys are coming to Manoa.”
Atkins, a junior left-hander, is a UH verbal commit as well as Waiakea junior third baseman Stone Miyao.
Duarte has a 3.0 GPA and will major in criminal justice. His role model is St. Louis second baseman Kolten Wong, who played catcher at Kamehameha.
“Playing on TV was one of the reasons I wanted to attend Manoa,” Duarte said. “My family, especially my mom, can watch me play. My mom inspired me this year to just have fun.”
