Luna JV basketball teams win MIL championships
LAHAINA — The rising red tide of West Side basketball fortunes continue, as both the Lahainaluna High School girls and boys junior varsity teams captured unofficial championships in their respective divisions of the Maui Interscholastic League.
The Lunas JV boys, coached by John Dudley and Romel Aguiran, raced to their fourth straight title, finishing with a 9-1 (14-1 overall) record.
According to Coach Dudley, the team was paced by co-captains Folau Tauese and Jonah Reyes, along with starters Charles Vierra, Emil John Cariaga and John Mishima.
Rounding out the roster were John Ramos, Jason Cardenas, Jeremy De Gracia and Jake “Shake” Francis.
The Lahainaluna JV girls, this year coached by Angel Badua, also rose to the top of the MIL.
The Lady Lunas’ charge to the championship with a 6-1 record was led by co-captains Kulia Murray and Amanda Matsuda and starters Moana Hafoka, Haley Nakamura, Nia Pasikala and Halii Vierra.
Also supporting the drive to the top were Jade Chihara, Michiko Smith, Kekuu Haake, Makana Caban and Petiola Tuakoi.
Nakamura, Pasikala and Chihara were all elevated to the Lady Lunas varsity roster at the conclusion of the junior varsity season.
Unfortunately, Matsuda, who had been tabbed to move up to the varsity as well, had knee surgery to correct an ongoing problem and will miss the rest of the season.
“The future for Lahainaluna basketball looks very bright with the way the JV and youth programs (West Maui Youth Basketball League) are developing,” noted Coach Dudley.
“With so many young players moving up to the high school programs, things are only going to get better. I am so thrilled and honored that I was asked to come and coach the JV team, knowing the successful history of the program.
“The continuity that has been developed with the WMYBL, the Menehune and on up to the high school is an invaluable asset for the high school teams,” he continued.
“It’s really exciting to be a part of the rising boys program in particular under the leadership of Todd Rickard and Athletic Director Scott Soldwisch.”