Hiram Akina has been named head coach for Mililani High's boys basketball program, athletic director Glenn Nitta announced yesterday.

Akina, a Leilehua graduate who played for Brigham Young-Hawai'i, has been an assistant coach for both the boys and girls basketball programs at Kahuku. He takes over for Mike Coito, who guided Mililani to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs in each of his five seasons and two of the past three state semifinals but did not have his contract renewed.

Akina helped guide Kahuku to its first OIA boys championship since 1968 and first state title game appearance this past season and also assisted with the girls program, which has won two straight league crowns and was state runner-up in 2004.

"We're very fortunate and pleased to have him," Nitta said.

Nitta also announced that Dexter Young will take over as head coach of the girls' varsity volleyball program.

YOUTH BASEBALL

HILO CLAIMS REGIONAL

Hilo trounced Central California, 13-1, yesterday to capture the Cal Ripken Pacific Southwest Regional championship for 10-year-olds at Modesto, Calif.

Hilo finished the nine-team tournament with a 4-0 record to clinch a berth in the World Series, Aug. 5 to 12, at Russellville, Ark.

MILILANI PLAYS FOR TITLE

Kacey Miyasato batted 3 for 3, including two doubles, and relief pitcher Raymond Sugihara struck out seven in the final three innings as Mililani defeated Chula Vista, Calif., 9-6, yesterday to reach the championship game of the PONY Pony-13 (age 13) West Zone Tournament at Fullerton, Calif.

Brett Kakugawa, Keanu Carmichael, Ryan Muraoka and Kona Mauricio each added two hits for Mililani, which meets Chula Vista again today. If Mililani wins, it will clinch a berth in the World Series.

W. O'AHU WINS STATES

Alakai Aglipay pitched a three-hitter with seven strikeouts as West O'ahu defeated Pearl City, 5-2, yesterday in the Little League Majors (ages 11-12) State Tournament at Walter Victor Stadium in Hilo.

Zachary Rosette hit a three-run homer and Kino Enos hit a two-run shot for West O'ahu, which advances to the Western Regional, Aug. 4 to 15, at San Bernardino, Calif.

GOLF

KIM TRAILS BY FIVE

Pahoa's Kimberly Kim shot a 2-over-par 73 yesterday and trailed leader Morgan Pressel, of Boca Raton, Fla., by five strokes after the first round of the McDonald's Betsy Rawls Girls Championship at Malvern, Pa.

Kim is in a four-way tie for eighth in the 54-hole event that features 61 of the world's best female junior golfers.

Honolulu's Stephanie Kono is tied for 18th at 76, and Pearl City's Mari Chun is tied for 25th at 77.

HAWAI'I TEAM LEADS

Hilo's Jacob Low shot a 69 yesterday to help a team from Hawai'i take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Boys Junior America's Cup at Sheridan, Wyo.

Pukalani's Thomas Robertson shot 73 and Pa'auilo's Sean Maekawa 74 as Hawai'i amassed a 216 total. Honolulu's Tadd Fujikawa shot 78 in the 54-hole tournament that counts each team's top three scores each day.