By KEVIN JAKAHI By KEVIN JAKAHI ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald sports writer Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior Katie Case didn’t need to score to shine in the spotlight because she did other things so well that attracted attention in the Big Island Interscholastic
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior Katie Case didn’t need to score to shine in the spotlight because she did other things so well that attracted attention in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.
The 5-foot-7 midfielder recorded 13 goals, a nice number, but often took a director’s role, making sure team production was most relevant. And it was at the BIIF and Hawaii High School Athletic Association state levels.
“Katie has been a benchmark for girls on the island for four years,” HPA coach Steve Perry said. “Her play from a freshman to her senior year has been so consistent, especially at center midfield from day one, controlling the middle of the field. She’s been dominant with her physical play and work rate. A lot of people have measured themselves against her.”
Case was named the BIIF Division II Player of the Year, in a vote by the league’s coaches.
“It’s a really special honor. I’ve wanted it since my freshman year and I’ve worked for it,” she said. “I’m excited and I think I got cited for my work ethic, skills and how far the team has grown since my freshman year and how much we’ve accomplished.”
Four of her teammates also made the first team: sophomore forward Nanea Tavares, who scored 19 goals, which was third in the league, freshman forward Bri Vallente, freshman defender Gabbie Ewing and senior defender Leeta Grap.
In Case’s freshman season, the Ka Makani finished as the BIIF runner-up to Kamehameha. Then they won the next three league titles. Her finest performance came in her last year. HPA fell to Mid-Pacific 1-0 in the state championship.
During HPA’s run at states, Case scored one goal in a 5-0 victory over Makua Lani in the semifinals. She didn’t score in the 3-1 win over Kauai in the semifinals, and everyone came up empty in the championship.
Case didn’t land on the Division II All-Tournament state team. Three of her teammates — Tavares, Vallente and goalkeeper Hannah Unger — did. But Case’s talent shines through even when she goes unnoticed.
She is the first BIIF senior to get a Division I soccer scholarship since Waiakea midfielder JoBette Nabarro, a 2003 graduate, who inked with San Diego State. Case, who has a 4.59 grade-point average, earlier signed with Air Force.
Perry pointed out that one of the things Case did so well was make her teammates better — a trait all leaders share.
“She was the captain the last two years and put her heart and soul into everything,” he said. “Halfway through the year, she said, ‘It’s time to take charge on the field a little more in practices and games.’ She knew we had four weeks left and didn’t waste a single minute.
“The girls followed. They learned if they followed Katie good things would happen.”
Case credits her leadership development to HPA volleyball coach Sharon Peterson.
“One of the biggest things I’ve improved is my mental game. I grew as a person and being a captain,” she said. “My leadership skills have improved and I feel I’m a much better all-around player.
“Sharon had a huge impact on me, being positive and loving challenges. She told me so many inspirational things I still remember. I definitely took that to soccer and use that in track (100 and 300 hurdles) now. After my ACL surgery (in 2009), she taught me to love challenges, no matter how hard they are. I would say, ‘I love this challenge,’ instead of thinking something negative.”
That positive-thinking mindset stayed strong, even after a heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Mid-Pacific in the state championship.
“I enjoyed how special our team was. We all had one goal in mind and stuck together no matter what. I remember how amazing I felt that everybody left everything on the field. Every person’s mind was on the same page,” said Case, summing up her director’s role.
Division II
First team
Player School Class Position
Nanea Tavares HPA, Soph., Forward
Bri Vallente HPA Fr. Forward
Monica Carlos Honokaa Jr. Forward
Katie Case HPA Sr. Midfield
Malia Kaiwi Makua Lani Sr. Midfield
Amanda Lerma Kamehameha Sr. Midfield
Allie Shiraki Honokaa Soph. Midfield
Gabbie Ewing HPA Fr. Defender
Leeta Grap HPA Sr. Defender
Karissa Komo Makua Lani Soph. Defender
Rachel Robertson Kamehameha Sr. Defender
Lehua McGuire Kamehameha Jr. Goalkeeper
Player of the Year: Katie Case, HPA
Coach of the Year: Steve Perry
Second team
Sharayah Ah Chong Kamehameha Sr. Forward
Kera Akiyama Kamehameha Jr. Forward
Tiffany Nakamura Makua Lani Jr. Forward
Emily Evans HPA Jr. Midfield
Tiana Iwata Kamehameha Soph. Midfield
Lauren Pries HPA Jr. Midfield
Marit Winborne Parker Sr. Midfield
Daisha Acorda Honokaa Jr. Defender
Elizabeth Aguirre Honokaa Soph. Defender
Marie Jobes Parker Soph. Defender
Tiffany Pacheco Kamehameha Jr. Defender
Hannah Unger HPA Sr. Goalkeeper
Honorable mention
Forward: Kawai Houvner, Ka‘u, Soph.; Grace Choe, Makua Lani, Sr.; Aolani Pieper, Parker, Fr.; Stephanie Tait, St. Joseph, Sr.
Midfield: Kaila Olsen, Ka‘u, Jr.; Brooke Medeiros-Shibuya, Ka‘u, Sr.; Alison Fuata, St. Joseph, Fr.; Georgia Pirie, St. Joseph, Jr.
Defender: Jasmine Fojas, HPA, Jr.; Teia Knoll, HPA, Fr.; Harper Hottendorf, Kamehameha, Soph.; Mikela Cabel, Kamehameha, Soph.; Meaghan Chow, Ka‘u, Sr.; Wei Jing Yang, Ka‘u; Wein Hui Yang, Ka‘u; Amanda Madigan, Makua Lani, Soph.; Jayla Nakamura, St. Joseph, Soph.
Goalkeeper: Shaelyn Mattos, St. Joseph, Sr.
