A spike in bowling interest at Ka’u High School has veteran coach Hiilani Lapera smiling from ear to ear.
A spike in bowling interest at Ka‘u High School has veteran coach Hiilani Lapera smiling from ear to ear.
“It’s the biggest turnout for the girls team that I’ve had since I started coaching in 2006,” Lapera said on Wednesday afternoon while watching both the Trojan girls and boys squads compete against Pahoa at Hilo Lanes.
“We have 13 girls and five boys participating this year. It’s been wonderful, and everyone is exciting to bowl.”
Lapera said eight of the 13 girls have been regulars at practice and in the games. But as in most small schools, some of the bowlers also participate in other sports and have to adjust their schedules to help whatever team needs them the most on that particular day.
The Trojans practice once a week at Kilauea Military Camp’s six-lane alley.
“We practice on Thursday and have had a good turnout,” Lapera said. “We’ve also practiced on the lawn near the band room on campus. Coach Keldon Nakashima has helped us on our bowling technique. He’s shown us a video, and we’ve practiced on the lawn using a softball and football to help our hand-eye coordination. We’ve set up old bowling pins on the lawn, and it’s helped us.”
The move from the grassy lawn to Hilo Lanes is a tall order, but it’s not the biggest challenge for the enthusiastic Ka‘u bowlers.
“The biggest challenge is for the girls to build up their confidence and bowl before other people. And so far they’ve done really well. We can’t match up with the Hilo teams, but we’ve been competitive with the smaller schools. And from a social standpoint, it’s brought the girls closer together and encouraged team sportsmanship and working together while representing the school in a positive way.”
Lapera has three returning juniors — Siena Okimoto and sisters Wei Hui and Jing Yang — on whom the coach will count for leadership this year.
“They’re very enthusiastic and do a great job for us,” Lapera said. “But no matter what happens in the matches, we still want to have fun and enjoy what bowling is all about — the competition, the fellowship, the friendships and representing your school.”
Other members of the Trojans girls team include Lanni Ah Yee, Kamrie Koi, Cheynne Pacheco-Kamalii, Romina Sebran, Marileah Lalin, Gyllien Tamura, Shelyn Silva, Deniha Navarro, Kainani Kainoa Aukai and Sky Kanakaole-Esperon.
Members of the boys squad include Judah Aldrorasi, Greg Javar, Franklin Orcino, Randall Watson and Shayden Augustine.
Wednesday’s results:
At Hilo Lanes
Roundup>Girls: Hilo 3, Laupahoehoe 0; Pahoa 2, Ka‘u 1; Waiakea 3, Kamehameha-Hawaii 0; Keaau 3, St. Joseph 0.
High scorers
Roundup>Hilo: Riley Cabarloc, 162; Kylie Fujiyoshi, 164, 150. Brooke Caseria, 144.
Roundup>Kamehameha: Jordan Chung, 157, 134.
Roundup>St. Joseph: Chantelle Adviento, 158, 132.
Roundup>Boys: Waiakea 2, Kamehameha 1; Ka‘u 2, Pahoa 1; Hilo 3, Laupahoehoe 0; Keaau 3, St. Joseph 0.
High scorers
Roundup>Waiakea: Tevin Nakashima, 173, 155.
Roundup>Kamehameha: Jaycob Barros, 143, 166; Ryder Matsuyama, 145, 173; Cody Pereira, 158, 142.
Roundup>Hilo: Cullen Kurohara, 153, 155.
Roundup>Keaau: Erik Arnold, 141, 143.
Roundup>St. Joseph: Alan Higaki, 164, 132.
At Kona Bowl
Roundup>Boys: Konawaena 3, Kealakehe 0.
High scorers
Roundup>Konawaena: Kyler Kunitomo, 224; Quentin Ikeno, 204; Stefan Kimura, 203; Rodney Torres, 203.
Roundup>Kealakehe: Bronston Apolo, 201, 177; Harley Jarvis, 191; James Fisher, 171.
Roundup>Girls: Konawaena 3, Kealakehe 0.
High scorers
Roundup>Konawaena: Sarah Albrecht, 198; Melissa Simon, 185; Madison Staup, 182; Caroline Afaga, 169.
Roundup>Kealakehe: Pauline Gampon, 188; Tiffany Kurozawa, 179, 172; Desiree Ichishita, 171.