Calif. junior college gets Niko Noga Jr.
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Falaniko Noga Jr., a member of one of Hawai'i's best-known football families, yesterday committed to attend College of the Canyons, a junior college near Los Angeles.
Noga was a second-team all-state linebacker last year for Farrington High School. At 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds, he is much smaller than his father, Niko, who played eight years in the NFL, and his uncle, Al, a first-team All-American for the University of Hawai'i in 1986.
Niko Noga came to O'ahu from American Samoa, his home since 1997, to guide his son's decision. "We like coach (Leon) Criner (Canyons' defensive coordinator). He's almost a father to all the kids who come to that school," Niko Sr. said.
Niko Sr. declined to compare his son's ability to his own at the same stage. "I don't compete against my own family," he said. "You can not have a comparison. I just wish the best for him."
Canyons is in Santa Clarita, Calif., 22 miles up-slope from Los Angeles. The Cougars went 10-1 last season, won a bowl game for the first time, and were ranked 11th in the nation by J-C Grid Wire.
BASEBALL
Second-team all-state outfielder Aaron Powell of 'Aiea is the fourth player from Hawai'i signed by Sacramento State.
Powell, who also plays catcher, "is an intense player who goes into the mold we are creating, and he has a lot of speed," Hornet coach John Smith said.
Four of the seven incoming freshmen signed by Smith this year are from Hawai'i. The others are all-state pitcher Chris Mols of Roosevelt, 2001 all-state outfielder Jimmy Strombach of Moanalua and utility fielder Shannon Kahale of Kamehameha.
"Chris Mols was the reason I came to Hawai'i to begin with," Smith said, "and I saw the others while I was there."
TENNIS
Punahou's Courtney Chung, second-team All-ILH in singles, has committed to the University of San Francisco.
"She will be a great addition to our team," USF coach Hilary Somers said. "Her enthusiasm, positive attitude, and competitive spirit will be a joy to work with."
