College Commitments: Missouri Valley will get a taste of Hawai'i

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College's men's basketball team will have a Hawai'i look to it next season.

Coach Eric Glenn has signed Ely Sather, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound All-Big Island post from Kealakehe, to play forward and Cheyne Dela Garza, second-team all-state pick from Lahainaluna, to play point guard.

Leroy Nicolas (Iolani '01), starting point guard on last season's Missouri Valley junior varsity, also will be in the mix.

Sather was a 3.9 student at Kealakehe in Kona and Nicolas had the same GPA his first semester at Missouri Valley.

Meanwhile, Missouri Valley football coach Paul Troth said he has signed Abner Nakihei (Lahainaluna), who was first-team All-Maui on offense and defense, to play wide receiver and running back Kepa Morris (Mililani).

Missouri Valley, which has brought in many freshmen from Hawai'i in the last five years, is an NAIA school.

Other college commitments announced recently include:

BASKETBALL

• Amy Kaaiakamanu (Waiakea) to Western New Mexico, where coach Samantha Ezell is counting on her shooting skills.

  "We like her athleticism, her ability to handle the ball, pass the ball and shoot the ball. A 5-10 guard who can nail 3-pointers is an asset," Ezell said.

  Kaaiakamanu was runner-up in the 3-point goal-shooting contest at last month's state tournament. She'll get about two-thirds of her costs in basketball aid, Ezell said.

• Nalu Perkins (Kamehameha) to Menlo (Calif.) for men's basketball.
• Ashley Kualii (Waiakea) to Orange Coast Community College for women's basketball.

VOLLEYBALL

• Lana'i's Jennifer Ornellas, the Maui Interscholastic League girls co-player of the year, will play for Palomar (JC) in San Marcos, Calif. (north of San Diego).

FOOTBALL

• Waimea High grads Abraham Apilado, second-team all-state offensive lineman, Ikaika Cabral and Brandon Malama, both all-Kaua'i defensive linemen, have signed with Montana Western, joining eight Hawai'i players signed earlier by Hawai'i-bred coach Tommy Lee.
• Waimea's Mark Ruiz, second-team all-state defensive lineman and Kaua'i Defensive Player of the Year, signed with Mesa State (Colo.).