Division race likely will be anybody's ball game
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division championship was shared by Leilehua and 'Aiea last year.
It figures to be another battle for the top spot again this season, though not necessarily between the co-defending division champions.
"We have the toughest division, by far," Mililani coach Dean Sato said.
Most of the West starts tomorrow, but 'Aiea will visit Waipahu at 4 p.m. today in the sole opener.
Coaches leaned toward the usual contenders: 'Aiea, Leilehua, Mililani, Pearl City and Wai'anae.
But the Trojans, who beat host Mid-Pacific Institute for the championship of the Dick Kitamura tournament, got the most mention. Yesterday, they beat Ironwood (Glendale, Ariz.), 11-10, at the Cleats Invitational in Arizona. The tournament, which started yesterday and concludes Friday, is considered one of the best prep tournaments in the nation by Baseball America.
"We feel better than last year," Sato said. "(The players) bought into the physical and mental side of the game."
The Trojans return OIA West all-star outfielder Chaz Miyashiro, a left-hander who also pitches.
'Aiea lost two all-state players (outfielder Dylan Libadisos and catcher Aaron Asher) to graduation, but still return West all-star Lance Powell, who moves from third to shortstop.
Pearl City returns West second-team pick Tom Yamasaki, a designated hitter last year who will play first base, coach Mel Seki said.
Campbell has one of the better pitchers in Tristan Bailey, a second-team pick last year. The Sabers also are on the continent at the Blazer Sports Tournament in Las Vegas. Yesterday, the Sabers beat Las Vegas' Durango High, 6-3.
"We should be competitive," Sabers coach Rory Pico said. "The boys are learning how to win."
Wai'anae had a good preseason, beating Kaua'i and ace Kirby Yates at the Waimea Invitational, coach Kekoa Kaluhio-kalani said. The Seariders beat Leilehua for that tourney's championship.
Here are capsules of the West teams.
'Aiea
Coach: Ryan Kato
Players to watch: SS Landon Powell (OIA West 1st team 3b in 2004), CF C. J. Tausaga.
Campbell
Coach: Rory Pico
Players to watch: RHP/INF Tristan Bailey (OIA West 2nd team in 2004), RHP/SS James Bannister, C/RHP Ian Pastorilla, OF/RHP Robert Romero, U Shaye Asoau, 1B Keoni Gaui, INF Ian Vellez, INF Ramsey Sakamoto, INF Kendall Hudson, INF Keneki Leato, OF Victor Cachuela, OF Jacob Kaku.
Kapolei
Coach: Tom Ebanez
Players to watch: RHP Cameron San Gregory, RHP Jon Santiago, 2B Aaron Santiago, 1B
Justin Purvey, C Michael Kahalehoe.
Leilehua
Coach: Kevin Tosaka
Players to watch: SS/RHP Andrew Ontai (OIA West 2nd team OF in 2004), SS/RHP John Olley (OIA West 2nd team in 2004), SS/RHP Joshua Pastor, C Gavin Uyeda.
Mililani
Coach: Dean Sato
Players to watch: RHP/SS Tony Aquino, CF/LHP Chaz Miyashiro (OIA West 1st team in 2004), INF/RHP Kelsey Nakata (OIA West 2nd team in 2004), SS/3B/RHP Ryan Tsutsui, C Kamaka Crabbe, OF/RHP Dustin Antolin.
Nanakuli
Coach: Joshua DeFreitas
Players to watch: RHP/SS Bryson Felisi, CF Rance Alferez, C/RHP Nathan Naehu, C/SS/2B Curtis Wright, U Ainoa Oliveira.
Pearl City
Coach: Mel SekiPlayers to watch: SS Casey Fujishige, 1B Tom Yamasaki (OIA West 2nd team in 2004), OF/RHP Tate Ikehara, CF Bryant Katakura.
Radford
Coach: James Sunday
Players to watch: C Kyle Howell, RHP/3B Justin Lord, 3B/RHP Chad Afi, OF Greg Suwa, CF Kyle Blair, OF/RHP Sean Irish, SS Kizuku Scott.
Waialua
Coach: Herbert Onizuka
Players to watch: RHP/SS/C Justin Manglallan, SS/RHP/C Casey Onizuka, C/RHP/SS Shawyn Peiler, 1B/LHP Shayne Peiler.
Wai'anae
Coach: Kekoa Kaluhiokalani
Players to watch: RHP/SS Clayton Uyechi, RHP Andy Kuakini, SS/2B Sonny Dudoit, OF Charleston Low, 3B Ranson Silva, 1B John Munoz.
Waipahu
Coach: Milton Takenaka
Players to watch: Unavailable at press time.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
