Leilehua Boys Earn Player And Coach Of The Year Awards
Joseph Gouty was at his best in Leilehua’s biggest games this past season, helping to fuel the Mules’ riveting postseason run on the basketball court.
A junior, Gouty was a consistent force for Leilehua, averaging 12.4 points per game to go with 15 three-pointers. Most impressive was his shooting percentage in high-profile games. Among Gouty’s season highlights was an 8-for-10 performance from the field against eventual DI state champion Kalaheo in the third-place game of the OIA Red Conference Tournament. He also went 11-for-14 in a win over Moanalua and was 10-of-14 from the field in a game against Pearl City.
Gouty’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as he recently was chosen as the OIA Western Division Boys’ Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches.
Leilehua’s Pat Wetzel also was named the West’s Coach of the Year by his peers.
The Mules finished 18-11 overall in 2014-15, including preseason, and were 11-2 versus OIA competition. Leilehua finished fourth in the OIA Tournament to punch their ticket for the Division I State Tournament. The Mules dropped a heartbreaker (37-36) to eventual runner-up Iolani in the first round.
Joining Gouty on the West’s First Team was junior Koa Kauhi. Gouty and Kauhi were the only under-classmen to make either the West’s First or Second Teams.
Leilehua also placed Jayeson Baine, Anterrio Gainwell, David Tibayan, Nicholas Duran and Liam Fitzgerald on the Honorable Mention Team.
Mililani, which went 15-10 overall including pre-season (7-3 in the West), placed four players on the Honorable Mention Team, including Chanse Ramirez, Kekoa Fields, Braiden Rosario and Kalakaua Timoteo.
In Division II, receiving Honorable Mention from Waialua (2-8) were Royce Gaspar, Virgilio Basilio, Sean Murphy, Lancen Kuni and Royce Tashiro.
In girls basketball, Leilehua’s Tywanna Abbott was chosen as the OIA Western Division Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year.
Abbott averaged 14.5 points per game for the Mules, who went 15-9 overall, including preseason.
Leilehua tied for second in the West’s regular season with Nanakuli and Radford. All three finished with 8-2 records to finish behind West champion Mililani, which went 10-0.
Joining Abbott on the First Team was Jerri Maluyo. A senior, Maluyo averaged 14.9 points per game (seventh best in the state) and converted 20 three-pointers.
The Mules also placed Jazmina Lafitaga, Keahi-Lele Roy and Saramasina Docktor on the West’s Honorable Mention Team.
Receiving Honorable Mention from Mililani were Summer Bolibol and Velisa Melesea.
Waialua had four players make the Honorable Mention Team, including Alaina Bayudan, Kaedy Hatchett, Kayla Kapika and Kiana Paakaula-Reis.
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