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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Nobriga is state’s best

Video: Interview with Markee Nobriga

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kamehameha senior Markee Nobriga was praised by her coach, Michele Nagamine, for being able to "play any position and play it well. No matter what position you put her in, she can make an impact."

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Seemingly, the only time Kamehameha senior Markee Nobriga wasn't making an impact was before the game started. But once it did, she was everywhere.

"I think it's very rare that you can find a player who can play any position and play it well," Kamehameha coach Michele Nagamine said. "No matter what position you put her in, she can make an impact."

Nobriga was selected as The Advertiser State Player of the Year by a vote of 10 coaches and media from around the state after leading the Warriors to the state title last month.

Nobriga was the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Defensive Player of the Year, and "she was not only able to prevent goals, but score them as well," Nagamine said.

Mililani coach Ray Akiona said Nobriga had "a great disposition" to match her playing ability.

"I don't think there's anyone who could physically match up with her," Akiona said. "And she didn't take advantage of that, she just relied on her skills."

The teams that played in the state championship game dominated the All-State team.

Kamehameha placed five players on the first team, including one at every position.

Along with Nobriga, senior forward Caycie Gusman, freshman midfielder Meleana Shim, junior defender Kylee Ann Ah Choy and senior goalkeeper Deysha Victorine were honored from Kamehameha.

Nagamine was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Warriors to their first state title since championships in 1995 and 1996.

Gusman scored a league-high 14 goals in the regular season and was the ILH Offensive Player of the Year.

"She was able to score goals for us in all of our games," Nagamine said. "She was one of those players who had a nose for the goal. She was scoring almost a goal a game for us."

Shim had an outstanding postseason and was named the state tournament's MVP.

"She was a sponge," Nagamine said. "Every opportunity to play, she soaked it up. She stayed late (at practices), took extra shots, worked on fine-tuning the things that made her good. That culminated in her having a fantastic state tournament."

Ah Choy was "always in control," Akiona said. "She was one of those players who allowed her defenders to take risks because they have her back there."

With an all-star lineup in front of her, Victorine "definitely didn't get as many shots, but she maximized the ones that she did get," Nagamine said.

State runner-up Mililani was awarded three spots: junior midfielders Stephanie Yoro and Natalie Wong, and junior defender Jasmine Pratt.

Yoro and Wong combined to form perhaps the strongest midfield duo in the state.

Yoro, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Player of the Year after scoring 13 goals, brought "an intensity that forces a lot of the players to rise to that level," Akiona said. "She's very determined to get the ball, that's her strength."

Wong's physical ability impressed Nagamine.

"She has a wicked outside shot and she's punished a lot of teams this season," Nagamine said.

Pratt is "physically gifted, and she's also a very competitive athlete," Akiona said. "She puts that together with her soccer skills to make a very valuable defender."

Two Punahou seniors made the team: forward Ashley Nied and midfielder Lizzy Carlson.

Nagamine called Nied a "very gifted forward. She has the one thing everyone wishes they had: she's in the right place at the right time."

Carlson, the only repeat selection from last year's first team, was the emotional spark for the Buffanblu, Nagamine said.

"She was definitely a leader for Punahou," Nagamine said. "She made an impact every game she stepped on the field."

Baldwin junior midfielder Maris van der Lee rounds out the first team.

She is "one of the smallest on the field, but she seems to win every ball that's around her," Baldwin coach Kawika Keator said. "I use her all over the place."

Also receiving votes for Coach of the Year were Kalani's Ryan Shinkawa, Kaiser's Adolph Samuels, Kaua'i's Blanche Arakaki and Konawaena's Guy Miranda.

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Cl.
F Caycie Gusman Kamehameha Sr.
F Ashley Nied Punahou Sr.
MF Lizzy Carlson Punahou Sr.
MF Meleana Shim Kamehameha Fr.
MF Stephanie Yoro Mililani Jr.
MF Natalie Wong Mililani Jr.
MF Maris van der Lee Baldwin Jr.
D Markee Nobriga Kamehameha Sr.
D Kylee Ann Ah Choy Kamehameha Jr.
D Jasmine Pratt Mililani Jr.
GK Deysha Victorine Kamehameha Sr.
Player of the Year: Markee Nobriga, Kamehameha
Coach of the Year: Michele Nagamine, Kamehameha


SECOND TEAM
Pos. Player School Cl.

F Chaney Lopez Kapolei So.
F Ambree Ako 'Aiea Sr.
F/MF Keisha Shishido Baldwin So.
MF Melissa Abellanida King Kekaulike Sr.
MF Katrina Chong Hilo Sr.
MF Nicole Ha Iolani Jr.
MF Marisa Schoen Punahou Jr.
MF Tanya Nojiri Moanalua Sr.
D Nestle Yamaguchi Pearl City Jr.
D Chelsea Anglin Kalaheo Sr.
GK Amber Nakachi Kaiser Sr.


Honorable Mention
Forwards

Vanessa Butin, Moanalua; Laura Franke, Kealakehe; Ashley Kanda, Castle; Cherise Lee, Kailua; Lauren Maeshiro, Pearl City; Sophie Merrifield, Punahou; Miya Quinn, Mid-Pacific; Skye Shimabukuro, Kaua'i; Rachel Taira, Kaua'i; Samantha Teramae, Iolani.
Midfielders
Cheyanne Alejado, Kapolei; Rachel Domingo, Roosevelt; Jamie Hirai, Konawaena; Brianne Huddy, Kahuku; Kealoha "Hea" Kane, Kailua; Jaecie Kato, 'Aiea; Ashley Medcalf, Pac-Five; Aileen Salazar, Radford; Keilyn Tanimoto, Pearl City.
Defenders
Alyssa Chun, Kamehameha; Leanna Dahl, Konawaena; Chelsea Deptula, Punahou; Ashley Dolan, Moanalua; Tiara Dole, St. Anthony; Allison Haines, Roosevelt; Michelle Kam, 'Aiea; Courtney Kimhan, Kailua; Elizabeth Lonokapu, Kamehameha-Hawai'i; Lianne Nakamae, Baldwin; Mari Nagamine, Moanalua; Britt Sanford, Punahou; Chelsie Sato, McKinley; Michelle Shiroma, 'Aiea; Courtney Takushi, King Kekaulike; Brina Tamayori, Kalani.
Goalkeepers
Alexisann Crowell, Wai'anae; Erin Ichimura, Baldwin; Marissa Minor, Konawaena.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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