Punahou's Campbell is state's Player of the Year

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

"She was our go-to player, but she also was very unselfish," Punahou coach Jorge Barbosa said of his forward, Adria Campbell. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

This time around, a healthy Campbell took center stage and clearly was the player to watch. After leading the Interscholastic League of Honolulu with 12 goals, Campbell began state tournament play with three goals against Kahuku in the state quarterfinals to lead the Buffanblu to a 5-1 victory.

She then scored two more goals in a 3-1 semifinal win over Pearl City, and though she did not score in the 1-0 championship victory over Mililani, Campbell took several strong shots at the goal and drew heavy attention from the Trojans' defense.

"She was our go-to player, but she also was very unselfish," Punahou coach Jorge Barbosa said. "She could not only put the ball away, she made the rest of the team better."

Campbell's value to the Buffanblu was officially recognized in voting by 11 coaches, officials and media, which resulted in her being named The Advertiser's State Player of the Year.

Campbell, who is weighing offers from UC Irvine, Southern Methodist and Nevada, is joined on The Advertiser All-State first team by three teammates: senior defender Shaina Sonobe, sophomore sweeper Kelsey Baker and junior goalkeeper Allison Lipsher.

Sonobe, a four-year starter, was a team captain who "led by example," Barbosa said.

"She was my only four-year player, and she was one of the reasons our team was so cohesive," Barbosa said. "I've been coaching since 1981, and I've had (club) teams go to the regional finals. But I never had a team with this kind of chemistry. They would always do things without me having to say anything, it was unbelievable."

Baker showed maturity beyond her years in a key defensive position.

"She was fearless, and when the game started, she was all business," Barbosa said. "She doesn't back off from anybody."

Whenever opposing teams were able to take shots, Lipsher usually was there for the stop. She made five saves in the second half of the state title game, including two at the goal line.

"She was one of our unsung heroes because she didn't always get to show her ability during the season," Barbosa said. "But whenever she had to make the one save we needed, she would come through big-time."

Mililani was represented by three players on the first team: senior midfielder Jen Loo, junior midfielder Nicky Harris and senior defender Mallory Iha.

Loo was a force especially in the postseason, scoring on a header in the 92nd minute to lift the Trojans to a 3-2 victory over Pearl City in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship game and providing a threat throughout the state tournament with her speed in the outside lanes.

Harris was another key factor for Mililani's offense, taking most of the kicks and throws on set plays.

Iha, a first-team All-State selection two years ago, recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year to again lead the Trojans' defense.

Pearl City placed senior forward Kimberly Unten and senior defender Christie Ayers on the first team. Unten, the OIA Western Division Player of the Year, scored an OIA-high 17 goals to lead Pearl City to a 9-0-1 record and a tie for the crown.

Her sister Jodie was a first team All-State selection last year.

Ayers was recognized as one of the OIA's top defensive players.

Other making the first team were Baldwin senior midfielder Koren Takeyama, Kahuku senior forward Krisha Kai and Castle junior midfielder Aimee Watanabe.

Takeyama, a three-time All-State selection, was named Player of the Year in the Maui Interscholastic League. In her four years as a starter, the Bears went 56-3-1 with two state championships, one runner-up finish and one fifth-place trophy.

Kai and Watanabe shared Player of the Year honors in the OIA East. Kai, who along with Takeyama has signed with Hawai'i, led the East with 15 goals.

Watanabe was the Knights' leader from her center-midfield position.

Barbosa was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Buffanblu (12-0-1) to their first state title since 1998.