Imai, Kaupu spearhead elite tournament title
Waiakea’s Kelsie Imai and Konawaena’s Caiyle Kaupu played pivotal roles again as Team Aloha claimed its second consecutive championship at the Elite Is Earned Spring Invitational girls basketball tournament in late April in Walnut Creek, California.
The all-star girls basketball squad finished 4-0 at a tournament that was sanctioned by the NCAA and included scores of college coaches and scouts were in attendance.
Kaupu contributed 16 points and eight rebounds in a 53-48 come-from-behind victory against the Washington Swarm in the final, and coach Mufi Hannemann credited Imai for her tenacity on defense.
“(Caiyle) was a dominant presence in the paint and flashed her ability to score from the perimeter and to run the floor which drew lots of attention from college recruiters in attendance,” said Hannemann, the team founder. “Imai was the spark plug of the defense which was a big reason why Team Aloha went undefeated — she always drew the toughest defensive assignment of guarding the opposition’s top guard as they limited their opponents to an impressive 37 points a game. The BIIF player of the year also excelled in penetrating to the basket and scoring or dishing to an open teammate.”
Also on the team were Kahuku’s Leiah Naeata, Jovi Lefotu and Lily Wahinekapu of Iolani, Maryknoll’s Jaylen Tanuvasa, Noelle Sua-Godinet of Kamehameha-Kapalama, Hanalani’s Lishae Scanlan, and Punahou’s Tatianna Burciaga-Reyes.
“Team Aloha plays a tough and fun style of basketball that fans and coaches loved to watch,” tournament director Chris Hansen said. “In the championship game, they gritted out a tough win against the Washington Swarm, who have multiple players being recruited by Division I schools. It was an impressive showing.”
Chip shots
Former UH-Hilo golfer Isaac Juffurs shot a 4-over 76 on Monday during a local U.S. Open qualifier at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, while Waiakea junior Isaiah Kanno came in at 77.
Jared Sawada, who won the Big Island Invitational in March, claimed medalist honors with a 67, and Roosevelt High (Oahu) junior Kolbe Irei (72) won a three-way playoff to grab the other spot at a sectional qualifier.
UHH soccer clinic
A boys soccer clinic directed by the UH-Hilo coaching staff will be held June 22 at Waiakea High School and UHH’s campus.
The all-day clinic costs $80 and is open to boys currently enrolled in high school for the 2019 year, freshman through seniors. There is a maximum registration of 30 boys, making for a smaller coach-to-student setting.
Vulcans coach Paul Regrutto will direct, along with assistant coaches Terry Yamane and Chad Hanashiro. Members of the Vulcan men’s soccer team will staff the camp as well.
The session will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Check-in will be at Waiakea at 8 a.m.
For more information, call 640-0694.
Vulcan Basketball Camp
Registration forms are available for the Vulcan Basketball Camp with Coach Jimmy Yagi, which is set for July 22-25 for players ages 9-17.
UHH coaches GE Coleman and David Kaneshiro, along with Vulcan basketball players, local coaches and the Coach Yagi will be on hand as clinicians at UHH gym and Panaewa gym. The cost is $100.
The camp runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. each day,depending on age group, and each camper will receive a camp t-shirt, a basketball, a team photo and lunch each day.
For more information, call 932-7175.
Yamauchi golf tourney
The 17th annual Nobu Yamauchi Memorial Golf Tournament will be held June 11 at Hilo Municipal Golf Course with a 7 a.m. shotgun start.
Entry fee is $130 and includes green fee, cart, contests, individual and team prizes and lunch at Kim’s at Hilo Muni.
Funds raised will be used for the Nobu Yamauchi RBI Organization and partial scholarship for RBI players who will be attending college.
The format for the tournament will be two-person RBI crazy scramble using 30 percent of the team handicap with two-putt maximum.
The grand prize will be awarded to the low net team that finishes in 17th place (since this is the 17th tournament).
During the awards luncheon Takashi “Freckles” Izumo and his wife Helen will be honored. They were good friends with Nobu, assisting him ’s with the PioPio Bears baseball and basketball teams as well as the teams from the Hilo Boys Club.
Entry forms are available at the Hilo Muni pro shop or can by emailing Wayne Yamauchi at yamauchiw002@hawaii.rr.com.
Hole-in-one
Derek Igawa aced the 163-yard 13th hole Sunday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course using a 6-iron.
Witnessing Igawa’s first hole-in-one were Harold Mizuno, Bruce Lim, Brian Ikawa and Bert Wagatsuma.
• In April, Clark Bibilone aced the 13th hole at Hilo Muni, using a 5-iron.
Witnessing Bibilone’s third hole-in-one were Henry Peters and Louis Long.
