Phelps, Whitworth always in control
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Leilehua senior midfielder Daniel Phelps and Radford senior midfielder Jamie Whitworth both made immediate impacts after transferring for their junior seasons.
This season, Phelps, from Virginia, and Whitworth, from England, were rewarded for their play by being named the co-O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Players of the Year after a vote by league coaches.
Both midfielders, who were first-team selections last season as well, possessed an ability to manage the field for their teams and could control the ball with a maturity beyond their years.
"I was shocked when I first saw him," Waialua coach John Rosa said of Whitworth. "He's an excellent soccer player.
"Jamie is (Radford's) key player. If there were more players like him, they could do some damage."
Phelps, who scored six goals in league play, is "very competitive and he gets the job done. He knows the game," Rosa said. "He can read you very well. When he sees an opportunity, he'll take advantage, and he'll execute."
Kapolei, which won the Western Division, placed four players on the first team: forward Keoki Haole, midfielder Curtis Kiyabu, and defenders Bryson Tamanaha and Drew Geis.
Geis, who also played in the midfield, and Kiyabu, who also played as a forward, tied for second in the league with nine goals apiece.
Leilehua placed three on the first team: Phelps, forward Syd Tom, who scored seven goals, and defender Daniel Tanda.
Tom is a three-time first-team selection.
Mililani and 'Aiea each placed two on the first team. Trojans forward Kelsey Kikugawa, who led the division in goals with 10, and goalkeeper Michael Smith earned the honor.
'Aiea midfielder Mark Atta, who scored seven goals, and defender Mason Puckett were also on the first team.
Atta, Geis and Smith, who made it as a defender last year, are two-time selections.
Rosa was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Bulldogs to a 4-4-1 record and their first OIA tournament appearance since 1997.
First Team Pos. Player School F Keoki Haole Kapolei F Syd Tom Leilehua F Kelsey Kikugawa Mililani MF Jamie Whitworth Radford MF Daniel Phelps Leilehua MF Mark Atta ‘Aiea MF Curtis Kiyabu Kapolei D Mason Puckett ‘Aiea D Bryson Tamanaha Kapolei D Drew Geis Kapolei D Daniel Tanda Leilehua GK Michael Smith Mililani Co-Players of the Year: Daniel Phelps, Leilehua and Jamie Whitworth, Radford Coach of the Year: John Rosa, Waialua Second Team Honorable Mention |
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.