Some sports performances become locked into memory for all time as shining examples of fighting through injury and inspiring others through mental toughness.

Like Willis Reed hobbling onto the court in the NBA Finals ... Curt Schilling pitching in the World Series with a bloody sock ... Takeru Kobayashi munching down 63 hot dogs despite a sore jaw ...

Jeeter Ishida's performance in the 2007 baseball state tournament probably will be remembered longer than Kobayashi's, after he overcame a sprained ankle to help Punahou win its unprecedented fourth straight championship.

Ishida, a junior right-handed pitcher, capped a memorable season with two classic examples of focus under fire and was the overwhelming choice as Advertiser State Player of the Year after voting and consultation from coaches and members of the media.

Ishida made 10 appearances this season, pitching 54 1/3 innings. He went 8-0 with one save, an earned run average of 1.55 and 50 strikeouts against only 13 walks.

Ishida also was no slouch at the plate, batting .306 with one home run, nine RBIs and an on-base percentage of .409, and played a solid third base when he wasn't pitching.

But his greatest contribution may have been as a leader by example, especially in the state tournament when the team needed him most.

Just minutes before the Buffanblu's quarterfinal game against Hilo, Ishida — the scheduled starting pitcher — slipped on a concrete dugout floor at Les Murakami Stadium and rolled the ankle on his left (plant) foot.

He was pulled from the batting order, but insisted on pitching. Despite a noticeable limp, Ishida threw 111 pitches in seven innings and finished with a five-hitter, striking out 10 and walking one in an 8-2 victory.

"We weren't sure he could even pitch, and I thought we might have to start somebody else," Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said. "But he gutted it out on one leg and gave us an awesome performance."

Just two nights later, with the ankle still healing, Ishida went six innings and gave up only one run on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks to help the Buffanblu stifle a hot-hitting Pearl City team, 7-1, for the record-setting title.

"That guy is amazing," Punahou catcher Zach Kometani said after the game. "I was surprised at his velocity (injured and on short rest). But he just said, 'We can do it.' "

Ishida leads a group of six Buffanblu on The Advertiser's All-State first team.

The others are Kometani, second baseman Reece Kiriu, shortstop Josh Bninski, outfielder Matt Suiter and designated hitter/utility player Paul Snieder.

Kometani, one of three catchers named to the first team, batted .429 with six doubles, two triples, one home run, 18 RBIs and a .587 on-base percentage. He also displayed outstanding defensive skills, even throwing out a potential base stealer from his knees in the state tournament.

Kiriu batted .319 with 13 RBIs and a .563 OBP, and also went 3-1 with a save and a 1.64 ERA as a pitcher.

Bninski batted .344 with three triples, two home runs and 15 RBIs, and also had an OBP of .513 and six stolen bases.

Suiter was another key piece to Punahou's stellar middle defense, batting leadoff with five doubles, three triples and 10 stolen bases.

Snieder teamed with Ishida to form a potent one-two punch at pitcher and third base, going 6-0 with two saves and notching a 1.47 ERA. He struck out 35, with nine walks, and batted .375 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.

Punahou, which went 29-3 overall, finished 15th in the final Student Sports Baseball Fab 50 rankings and No. 24 in USA Today's final Super 25.

Joining the six Buffanblu on The Advertiser's All-State first team are 'Iolani first baseman Reyn Nagamine and third baseman Case Miyahira, outfielders Ridge Carpenter of Kalani and Rorry Nakayama of Pearl City, catchers Aaron Fujiki of Mid-Pacific and Kolten Wong of Kamehameha-Hawai'i, Kaiser pitcher Toby Inouye and Mililani designated hitter/utility player Dustin Antolin.

Nagamine and Miyahira were two of the most consistent and feared hitters in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Carpenter and Nakayama each batted leadoff and disrupted defense with their base running, along with outstanding play in the outfield.

Voters were split almost evenly when it came to choosing between Kometani, Fujiki and Wong for the first team spot at catcher. Like Kometani, Fujiki and Wong were team leaders on offense and defense and displayed fine all-around skills.

Inouye was a clutch pitcher for Kaiser, winning every big game and leading the Cougars to their first state semifinals since 1997. Antolin was the ace of Mililani's staff and also was a first-team all-star outfielder.

Pearl City's Mel Seki was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Chargers to their first state title game since 1993.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.