The storybook season continues for the West O'ahu Little Leaguers.

"It was unreal to see that home run," Johnny Baniaga said. "I was really happy. It's definitely not the same watching my son play on TV."

Johnny and Denise "Poke" Quiday were in the stands when their son, Sheyne Baniaga, delivered a two-run homer, West O'ahu's only hit in a 2-0 victory over Lafayette, La., in the Little League World Series yesterday at South Williamsport, Pa. The victory lifts West O'ahu into tomorrow's U.S. championship game against Vista, Calif.

It also had fans throughout Hawai'i cheering at their television sets.

Sheyne's parents got to see it in person thanks to an assist from family friends Mark and Teresa Milton.

Following the Northwest Regionals in San Bernadino, Calif., the Baniagas returned to Honolulu because Johnny had used up all his vacation time as a driver for DHX freight movers. When the Miltons didn't see Sheyne's parents in the crowd on television earlier this week, they urged them to go to Williamsport, and offered to pay for the trip. DHX granted Baniaga's request to take leave without pay.

It all added up to a priceless moment.

"We just felt so happy they were there to see it live," Teresa Milton said. "These are the most fabulous, humble kids I've ever known."

"My son hit six home runs in San Bernadino and was in a slump," Johnny Baniaga said. "Our friends kept calling us to tell us to come up. I'm glad we did."

The Miltons, who own M&S Brokerage Inc., were among those who watched the game live on TV in Honolulu.

"I talked to (coach Layton Aliviado) in the morning and just told him to finish what you started because his main goal was to take the boys up there and win," said Derwin Gaelon, president of the West O'ahu Little League, who watched the game at his job on the waterfront.

Other family and friends from Hawai'i have come to Williamsport in the past 48 hours. Aliviado's daughter, Lacie, joined her parents and brother, first baseman Layson Aliviado, yesterday. Outfielder/pitcher Quentin Guevara's father, Stanley, also arrived. Rudy Domagsac and his wife, "Auntie Muggins," of Waipahu, relatives of the Aliviados, arrived with the flower lei worn by the Hawai'i support group at yesterday's game.

Back home, fans watched from their living rooms, restaurants and even schools.

At 'Ilima Intermediate, 30 classmates of team members Vonn Fe'ao and Zachary Ranit gathered for ESPN2's live coverage of the U.S. semifinal game. At every opportunity, the kids chanted, yelled and screamed their support for the local boys — often at ear-piercing levels.

" 'Ewa Beach rules!' yelled seventh-grader Edmund Rosaro, 11, while others flashed hand-drawn signs displaying "Go Zachary!" and "Go West O'ahu!"

Coach Aliviado's father, Herbert Aliviado, watched the game from his 'Ewa Beach home.

"I was proud, excited," Aliviado said. "I was happy for Sheyne, especially, because he's family. I think they'll take the title. ... They're hard to beat."

He spoke to his son after the game. "I said, 'Give the other team a rest, son.' "

Support for the team has spread well beyond 'Ewa.

The team was contacted by Chicago Cubs pitcher Jerome Williams. ESPN televised a segment of the Waipahu native offering his support to the youngsters via conference phone prior to yesterday's game.

Williams watched the game with his father, Glenn "Willie" Williams; his wife, Sarah; and brother Glenn Jr. in Jerome's Chicago apartment.

"I'm proud of them; they made some outstanding plays," Glenn Williams said.

In ESPN's segment, the team asked Jerome Williams if he could get them autographs of Cubs stars Derrek Lee and Nomar Garciaparra.

Williams laughed.

Still, some of the most enthusiastic fans may have been at 'Ilima Intermediate.

When pitcher Myron "Kini" Enos Jr. struck out the first of eight Louisiana batters, the students started an impromptu chant of "We will rock you!" while pounding the library tables and stomping their feet in unison.

Seventh-grade social studies teacher Tracy Palmgren took her home-room class, which would normally include Zachary, to watch the game.

"In my mind, I didn't know this team from 'Ewa Beach could get so far," she said. "But I think (the class) has earned the right to see Zachary play. Seeing their classmates is really mind-blowing for them."

Glenn Williams knew Layton Aliviado from their days coaching youth baseball together, and gave him a little advice.

"I talked to Layton (Wednesday) and told 'em to tell the boys these Mainland kids like to throw hard inside," Williams said.

Sheyne hit his homer on a high inside fastball.

A little hometown support can go a long way.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.