BASEBALL | LEAGUE ALL-STARS
Kaiser's Ho feared, respected by foes
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kaiser High School senior Colby Ho got a taste of the "Barry Bonds treatment" this season — in a good way.
Baseball's ultimate show of respect is the intentional walk, and Ho received nine of them. When opponents did pitch to him, Ho batted .421, with seven doubles, two triples, one home run and 21 RBIs in 14 league games.
At season's end, he received another show of respect when O'ahu Interscholastic Association coaches selected him as the Eastern Division's Player of the Year.
Ho's on-base percentage was .577 and his slugging average was .789. In 52 plate appearances, he had zero strikeouts. Ho also played stellar defense at third base and helped the Cougars go 9-1 for a share of the East title.
He is joined on the OIA East all-star first team by four Kaiser teammates: first baseman Alex Talavera, outfielder Scott Uehara, catcher Jarryd Maeda and pitcher Russell Sasaki.
Kailua was represented by second baseman Aaron Kunioka and outfielder Kurt Sasaoka; Kalani placed outfielder Ridge Carpenter and utility player Joshua Markwith; and Moanalua placed shortstop Peter Arakawa and pitcher Kekoa Lee.
Castle designated hitter David Mohika rounds out the first team.
Scott Yamada was named Coach of the Year after guiding Moanalua (9-1) to the East's No. 1 seed for the OIA playoffs.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.